Politics
Infrastructure: Building for success
Plans for insurers to invest in infrastructure projects are being hampered by Solvency II.
Trade Voice: Floods are a chance to prove ourselves
Joined-up thinking and a collaborative approach to assisting families and businesses affected by this winter’s floods has been a point of interest.
Regulators must prove value for money as costs hit £664m
The twin peaks regulatory system will need to demonstrate it is providing value for money after a National Audit Office report highlighted escalating running costs and concerns over staff capacity.
Insurance growth action plan boosted by Brokerbility Academy
Brokerbility has launched an academy scheme in a bid to attract people of all ages into the insurance profession as part of the independent broking group's contribution to the government’s insurance growth action plan commitment.
Fitch predicts pressure on Flood Re due to public funds uncertainty
Uncertainty around UK government spending on flood defences could lead to Flood Re facing higher-than-expected claims in the future, according to Fitch Ratings.
IRM criticises government's 'fingers crossed' approach to risk management
The recent flooding episode has highlighted shortcomings in the government’s approach to risk events according to chairman of the Institute of Risk Management, Richard Anderson.
International: Asia: Living with disasters
The insurance community is playing an increasingly important role in helping vulnerable communities in Asia adapt to climate change both before and after a disaster.
Untraced meso scheme payments up £8k
Mesothelioma sufferers unable to trace their employer at the time of exposure are now set to gain boosted settlements, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
All change in Europe
The European guard is changing, and by the end of the year the UK insurance industry could find the European Parliament and Commission rather harder places to press its case than previously.
CII to ‘name and shame’ firms that fail to get behind apprenticeship scheme
Industry bodies launch initiative aiming to double apprenticeships by 2017.
Insurance industry apprenticeship scheme kick-started
The insurance industry’s bid to double the number of apprentices was officially launched by high-profile figures from the sector at an event hosted by the Chartered Insurance Institute this morning.
Indian opposition to consider increase in foreign investment cap
As Indian political elections loom, the opposition party has pledged to consider raising the foreign investment cap in insurance from 26% to 49%.
Editor's comment: Pressing the advantage home
Prime Minister David Cameron told the nation “money is no object” when he declared the recent floods a national emergency and staked his personal authority on rebuilding damaged UK regions to make them more resilient to extreme weather.
Insurers doubtful government will approve VAT waiver for flood repairs
Business secretary calls for VAT on flood renovation and repairs to be cut to 5%.
C-Suite – Insurer: Where will the tech journey lead?
Insurers should be looking to seize upon the opportunities presented by telematics and driverless cars.
North of the border: All change for personal injury
The Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill promises to streamline Scotland’s civil courts.
Trade Voice: Flooding: the rules of engagement
The recent industry chief executive roundtable with ministers served as a reminder of how critical the role of insurance is to government and society in dealing with the problems caused by the ongoing flooding.
Flood grant could give rise to rogue trading, claims Trust Mark
Insurers are being advised to liaise with loss adjusters and local authorities to ensure flood-hit homeowners do not get ripped off by rogue trades when using the government’s £5000 repair and renewal grant.
Justice Secretary Grayling under pressure to close referral fee loopholes
Epoq’s Legal Go model singled out by Jack Straw as being against spirit of Laspo.
Motor insurance regulator mooted by Straw slammed as ‘unnecessary’
Former Home Secretary’s parliamentary counterpart Evans ‘dead against’ idea.
Tulloch’s flood defence funding plan fails to generate industry support
Analysts say insurers are unwilling to invest in defences without clear returns.
Insurers urged not to jump the gun in entering cosmetic interventions market
Industry warned over potential pitfalls of operating with inadequate expertise.
Fracking: Frack to the future
With the government pushing hydraulic fracturing in the UK, how will developments in this market affect insurers and what risks does it entail?
C-Suite: Broker: After the horse has bolted
According to a recent BBC report, the South East and Central Southern England had a record 175.2mm of rainfall in January – beating the previous record of 158.2mm, set in 1988.