Technology
Brown named as Chubb CIO
Chubb Insurance has appointed Chris Brown as European chief information officer.
News analysis - Smartphone apps: has the prime time arrived to invest in mobile?
The long-held hunch by savvy industry operators that the rapid emergence of smartphone technology presents a potentially lucrative revenue stream was this week underlined by Money Supermarket’s claim to have launched the UK’s first front-end motor…
Perkins Slade rings the changes
Despite a relatively quiet quarter for broker recruitment, Perkins Slade named three new directors this week. The intermediary was not the only firm making changes, with Jelf and Willis also naming new starters. Among insurers I was a bust seven days for…
Post Blog: Fail to prepare and prepare to fail
The revised deadline for Solvency II compliance for European Insurers is 1 January 2014. Despite the delay in start date, the reality is insurers cannot afford to be complacent with their plans.
Editor's comment: Coming back to bite
Confident words have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt you – as Admiral’s CEO Henry Engelhardt discovered to his cost this week. From stockmarket darling to deep disappointer inside nine months, the motor-focused UK insurer has certainly suffered a…
PSTF: Corporate technology rethink needed
Industry technology systems could become “obsolete” if companies fail to tackle information security fears, while corporate polices on device distribution and responsibility need an urgent rethink, according to expert panelists. The debate at last week’s…
PSTF: Digital channels set to dominate distribution
Insurers must embrace digital channels as the next dominant model for distribution, as the race to secure web-based connections with customers, partners and suppliers gathers momentum.
PSTF: ‘Outside-in’ approach needed to crack customer service
Insurers have been urged to adopt an “outside-in” approach to business in a bid to crack the customer service challenge and stand out from competitors – with chief information officers cited as best placed to execute this strategy.
PSTF: Customer experience: the new battleground
Providing a compelling customer experience will be the critical basis of competition for insurers in 2012 and the foreseeable future. This was the main message from Richard Edwards, principal analyst at Ovum, pictured, on managing IT strategy in an ever…
Website review: Beat That Quote
Web performance specialist Gomez looks at Beat That Quote's website.
HCML launches joint working group
Health & Case Management is set to launch a joint working group of medical experts.
Interview - Duncan Spencer: Calling the shots
Mobile phone insurance has been branded ‘useless’ by some and touted as the next potential mis-selling scandal, but Duncan Spencer believes there is a growing need for the product.
Seven in 10 insurers admits being "average" or "weak" in meeting customer needs
While the majority of insurers (91%) believe future growth depends on providing a special customer experience, most of them do not currently see themselves as providing differentiated products and levels of service, according to findings of a global…
Future technology competition
Many accuse the insurance industry of being less than innovative and behind the curve with the application of technological advances, this is you chance to prove them wrong.
Rok - one year on: Bearing up after Rok
When Rok went into administration, insurers had to respond rapidly. One year on, how are they coping and what lessons have they learned?
Non-standard household: Inclusive innovation
Technological advances mean that non-standard risks can now enter the mainstream, so why are some prospective customers still being left out?
Technology: Time for an upgrade
The insurance industry has been out of step with technological advancement in the past, but can it break that trend in the future?
Market moves: All change at Zurich and Willis
Following a slow period, large insurers made a number of key appointments this week, including major moves at Zurich, Allianz and RSA.
Interview - David McMillan: Bullish about the business
Chief executive of Aviva UKGI, David McMillan is convinced the insurer has turned a corner and is on the path to greater profitability and growth
Rating factors - Age: Age-old dilemma
After losing the battle to use gender as a rating factor, could the insurance industry be facing a new threat as age falls under the spotlight?
Your say: Work flow enhancements
I write in response to the article on WNS Assistance’s property service launch and just wanted to clarify the new technology invested in to deliver an innovative claims service for the insurer and broker market.
Your say: No underclass from telematics
I would like to take issue with Tom Woolgrove of RBS Insurance; telematics will not create an insurance underclass, as he fears. In fact it will do the opposite.
Cyber liability: Getting hacked off
Back in 1983, when Hollywood produced a film about a young boy inadvertently hacking into military systems, the possibility of such an occurrence seemed the stuff of fantasy and doom-mongers.
In series: Lloyd's & London Market: Staying number one
Tightening regulation and a less advantageous tax regime are making it tough for Lloyd’s to retain its pre-eminence, but is protectionism the greater threat?