Legislation
AM Best commentary: Keeping the balls in the air
While hardly a vintage year for the general insurance sector, 2009 did see an overall improvement due to investment earnings - but, says Catherine Thomas this year is unlikely to match up.
Future market challenges: After the storm
Amid the unprecedented economic pressures and turbulence of recent years, the insurance industry has performed admirably. Now Mark Winlow urges companies to concentrate on the key catalysts for change and understand the consequences their responses will…
Biba welcomes changes to “100 year old” insurance laws
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has responded positively to HM Treasury’s consultation paper on consumer insurance (Disclosure and Representations) bill.
Monte Carlo preview - Destination: Monaco
Reinsurers viewing customers as commodities - Barbican.
Neal Bill opposition grows
Opposition to the bill proposed in the US congress by senator Richard Neal has continued to grow this month, with the CEA and German government both voicing opposition.
Ferma backs law directive
Good risk management and internal control systems help companies go "faster, further and more safely" and businesses should not be afraid of the 8th European Company Law Directive.
US financial markets - Enter the enforcer
Two years on from the onset of the financial crisis, what lessons has reinsurance learnt? Tim Evershed investigates.
Interview: Two is better than one
Katherine Blackler talks to Swiss Re's Alex Kaplan - vice-president of regulatory affairs - and Michael Natal - vice-president of tax - about their unconventional specialisms and the potential impact of the Neal Bill
Third-party fraud outside review scope
Law commissioner David Hertzell conceded the current ability for fraudulent third parties to only lose the dishonest part of their claim — rather than having to forfeit the whole — is "quite generous", but stressed this issue lies outside the scope of…
Government set to give go-ahead to draft law reform bill
The government appears to have given the 'green light' to the draft bill on consumer insurance law reform, according to law commissioner David Hertzell. This could take effect as early as next year, he said, which is "two years ahead of when we would…
Risk carrying captive launched in Gibraltar
Broker A&A Group has launched a risk carrying captive in Gibraltar to sit alongside its existing panel of UK motor insurers.
Lord Young to recommend extension of MoJ RTA portal
Extension of the Ministry of Justice electronic portal, which handles low-value road traffic accident claims, to include employers’ liability and public liability, is expected to be a feature of Lord Young of Graffham’s upcoming review on compensation…
Career development: Ask the expert
As an older employee, I sometimes wonder whether the age discrimination act has really made a difference to workers over 50? I often feel my experience still closes off as many doors as it opens.
Legal update - insurance law reform: Out of pocket
Emma Rice looks at the proposed changes to insurance law, which currently does not recognise an obligation to pay damages over failure to pay claims, and what it could mean for insurers.
GC launches global P&C report
Despite spiralling losses, global reinsurance rates generally declined through the 2010 reinsurance renewals, according to Guy Carpenter.
CILA and law firm to publish property claims handbook
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters is due to publish a handbook offering legal and practical advice on handling property damage claims for loss adjusters and claims handlers.
Warning over rise in discrimination claims
A law firm has warned insurers and brokers they may be exposed to a rise in claims following implementation of a new "three strikes rule" regarding workplace discrimination, due to come into force on 1 October.
Identity fraud: Tolerance levels
With technological advances arguably making insurers more susceptible to fraud at the underwriting stage, should validation techniques be learned from banks? Amy Ellis examines the issue of fraud at the front end.
IUMI conference preview: Ready to launch
Eric Alexander previews the upcoming International Union of Marine Insurance conference in Zurich and predicts what the hot topics for the market will be.
BIS Countdown - Mike Morrisey: The international agenda
The International Insurance Society claims to be the largest multinational organisation of its kind, with almost 1000 members from more than 90 countries. Ahead of his keynote address at the British Insurance Summit, president and chief executive Michael…
Career development & CSR news: Gender Salary Survey — Insuring against inequality
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act 1970. This should be an auspicious occasion but recent research from the Chartered Management Institute has revealed any celebration would be premature. Four decades on from when this legislation…
Broker focus - Premium liability: That boat has sailed
With the publication of Issues Paper Eight in July, the Law Commission set about addressing an anomaly that applies to marine insurance, which makes brokers responsible for paying their clients' premiums to underwriters. Rachel Gordon explains why it…
Inside view: Part of the solution
As we enter a difficult hurricane season, witness record monsoon rainfall in Asia and continue to count the costs involved in the Deepwater Horizon incident, is it time to look at these increasing environmental problems from a different perspective, asks…
Climate change - renewable energy: Investing in the future
With high targets on reducing carbon emissions, Daniel Dunkley asks if the government has the political will to invest in renewable energy and how the insurance industry can benefit.