Dual pricing
This week: A diamond in the grind
In just over a fortnight I will be leaving the world of insurance, after 42 months in the job and almost twelve hundred bylines under my belt. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Saga reports surge in fixed priced policies as insurance margins shrink
Saga has warned of lower margins in insurance even as it saw a surge in its fixed price policy product, which was launched in the wake of backlash against industry dual pricing practices.
FCA delays publication of dual pricing market study report until October
The publication of the hotly-anticipated interim report on the Financial Conduct Authority’s market study of general insurance pricing practices that was expected this summer has been delayed until October.
Interview: Huw Evans, ABI director general
The industry faces heavy scrutiny from regulators and the government over pricing practices and personal injury reform, all while reeling from the prospect of a looming Brexit. Huw Evans, Association of British Insurers director general, spoke to Jen…
Auto renewals cost motorists £982m a year
UK motorists lose an estimated £982m a year by not shopping around on renewal.
Senior reporter's comment: Talking ‘bout your reputation
We talk a lot about reputation. Earlier this year, Post held its inaugural reputation event, which was attended by key industry stakeholders.
This month: Reputation, climate change and technology
This month’s issue looked at reputational issues the sector is facing and what needs to be done to improve the industry's reputation going forward.
Editor's comment: Fair and quick
As many of you know I’m a motorhome owner and as a family we enjoy camping.
This week: heatwave, hurdles and honours
Our neighbours in France may have hit their highest ever recorded temperature this week as the heatwave that struck Europe saw schools closed, but Post revealed motorists holidaying there will not be able to claim compensation if they are struck by an…
ABI accuses consumer panel of 'overlooking practicalities' in dual pricing automatic upgrade recommendation
The Association of British Insurers has criticised a proposal from the Financial Services Consumer Panel for an automatic upgrade rule to tackle dual pricing, saying it “overlooks the practicalities of underwriting and product choice.”
Research: In search of trust in the personal lines market
Insurance suffers from a bad reputation. Ian Hughes, CEO of Consumer Intelligence, asks what changes firms could make to improve this in the future
CMA price cap proposals could put pressure on 'weak profitability' in insurance
A proposal by the Competition and Markets Authority to place targeted price caps could change pricing and marketing models and put pressure on profitability in the insurance sector, Fitch Ratings has warned.
Analysis: The future of pricing - Tightening the noose
The dual pricing noose is slowly tightening around the insurance industry’s neck. Its laudable attempts to escape from the regulatory hangman seem increasingly futile as the pressure is mounting on the Financial Conduct Authority to take action.
This week: Court's adjourned?
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decapitated head kicked off its last outing on our television screens this week as the FCA counts down to the PPI deadline on 29 August. However, as one battle comes to an end, another may be just beginning.
Insurers could face fines under plans to tackle dual pricing 'rip-off'
The Competition and Markets Authority could be given the power to impose fines on companies in breach of consumer law without going to court, under government proposals announced today.
This week: Dual pricing and sexual harassment claims
For a while now the insurance industry has been under the spotlight for the sheer volume of sexual harassment allegations its faced. And after Post reported this week the suspension of a senior boss at Marsh sister company Guy Carpenter, following…
First Central's Andy James on trusting in insurance
Only 15% of customers will claim on their motor policies this year so how can insurers increase trust in the sector and improve its reputation with such a small touch point with customers asks Andy James, chief commercial officer at First Central…
Home premiums could rise 22% if FCA acts on dual pricing
Home insurance premiums could rise 22% for new customers if the regulator moves to axe dual pricing, analysts have warned.
This week in Post: Conference, cuts and conservative leadership
This week, along with the rest of the team, I attended the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference. I knew it would be an action-packed week - but nothing could prepare me for what was ahead.
Saga’s three-year fixed-price commitment attracts more than half of its customers
Exclusive: Saga has revealed that the three-year fixed-price promise has attracted more than half of its customers.
Blog: Treating customers fairly is a business imperative too
Personal lines is a competitive space but Mike Smart, business development director at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, believes that the first movers to tackle dual pricing and look at business structure will be the winners in the long run.
Brightside's Brendan McCafferty on whether Saga’s writedown heralds a shift in the tectonic plates?
Providers with books that are skewed to heavily discounted year one are facing a quandary about whether to change their strategy before the dual pricing review outcomes or wait until after. Either way Brendan McCafferty, CEO Brightside Group, believe…
Brexit and fair pricing lead FCA general insurance agenda for 2019/20
The Financial Conduct Authority has set out its priorities for the year ahead in its 2019/20 business plan, identifying Brexit as its “immediate priority”.
This week in Post: Funds, loyalty and crime
Gift cards may not be very personal, but they are perfect when you are not sure what to get someone. However, if you are anything like me you put them away in a “safe” place and forget to use them in time.