Fire
Blog: Government moves on cladding replacement expose insurers’ inaction
Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy just over two years ago, building owners have been removing and replacing unsafe aluminium composite material cladding from their high-rise housing stock across the UK. Joanna Grant, partner at Fenchurch Law, asks why…
Blog: Building regulations - how can stricter changes present opportunities for the wider insurance industry?
As stricter building regulations for new buildings are set to come in force, insurers could see lower property damage costs and pay outs. However, Simon Ford, chairman of the British Damage Management Association, asks if this could be a challenge to…
Developer working with insurers after Barking fire
Housing developer Bellway Homes is working with insurers following a fire that destroyed 20 flats and damaged a further 10 in Barking.
Insurers call for compulsory sprinklers in schools
Automatic fire sprinklers should be compulsory in all new build schools, insurers have warned.
Analysis: Grenfell – Putting rehabilitation outside litigation
Almost two years on from the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower, with the inquiry ongoing, are survivors getting the help they need?
Government pledges £200m to fund replacement of Grenfell-style cladding
The government has allocated £200m to remove and replace aluminium composite material cladding from around 170 privately owned high-rise buildings.
Insurers pledge to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral
Insurers have pledged to help with the restoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which went up in flames on Monday evening.
Axa insures two Notre Dame contractors
Axa has revealed it provided civil-liability coverage for two contracting firms that were working on an on-going restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, prior to the fire that demolished the building on Monday evening.
Grenfell insurer anticipates losses of £75m
Exclusive: The insurer of Grenfell Tower has so far paid out £24.5m to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and expects total insured losses to reach £75m.
Insurers can 'breathe easier' as Supreme Court clarifies the use of compulsory motor insurance
Supreme Court has ruled against Axa in a landmark dispute between a property damage insurer and a motor insurer over £2m fire claim.
Lloyd’s hit with £1bn loss in 2018
Lloyd’s of London was slammed with another vast loss in 2018, following on from its £2bn loss in 2017.
British Insurance Awards: Major loss - 25 years of going the extra mile
Insurance is only really tested at the point of claim and over the past 25 years the British Insurance Awards have celebrated the industry’s efforts to return the customer to where they were before the claim. Since 2003 major loss has been a standalone…
Analysis: The changing nature of festival risk
Festivals are growing in size, number and scope. They are rapidly becoming a more immersive experience, rather than solely about music. With these changes come wide-ranging additional requirements for cover and a need for the insurance sector to innovate
Interview: Andrew Rear and Mark Dennis, Digital Partners
One of the first movers in the insurtech space, Digital Partners now works with over 20 start-ups and wrote £100m of gross written premium in 2018. Its CEO Andrew Rear and chief operating officer Mark Dennis spoke to Jonathan Swift about how a…
Lemonade wrestles down losses despite California exposure
Lemonade reduced its loss ratio to 99% in Q4 of last year, despite exposure from the California wildfires.
Analysis: Insuring unoccupied property
The issue of unoccupied property is a political hot potato in a climate of Brexit and increased online retail. How are insurers tackling this high risk area?
Analysis: Is the industry prepared if the UK is hit with Brexit riots this year?
Legislation introduced in the wake of 2011 riots aims to simplify claims handling
Government moves a step closer to combustible cladding ban
As regulations for the combustible cladding ban for new and high-rise buildings progress in government, insurers say that they do not go far enough.
Analysis: Review of 2018
The spectre of Brexit loomed large over the insurance sector this year, and although the picture is still no clearer in terms of how the UK market will continue to trade with Europe after 29 March 2019, significant merger & acquisition activity was among…
California wildfire losses expected to hit record levels
The losses from the continuing 8 November California wildfires are expected to reach record levels, according to ratings agencies.
Analysis: Renovation fires - Learning from history
When extensive renovations are carried out on properties fire poses a risk. Rachel Gordon investigates what insurers are doing to mitigate this happening.
Government’s ban on combustible cladding insufficient, warn insurers
The government’s ban on combustible materials limited to high rise buildings over 18m is not sufficient and should be considered for a wider range of buildings, insurers have warned.
Grenfell insurers could face legacy claims from asbestos poisoning
Exclusive: Insurers of Grenfell Tower could face legacy claims from victims if they develop symptoms of asbestos poisoning in later life.