Articles by Harry Curtis
Beazley braced for Covid-19 liability claims in 2021 as it reports $50m 2020 loss
Beazley expects to feel the delayed impact of Covid-19-related liability claims later this year, highlighting its directors' and officers' and healthcare books as particular concerns.
Analysis: More uncertainty for BI policyholders over losses beyond first lockdown
Many business interruption policyholders may only be able to claim for losses suffered during last year’s first coronavirus lockdown, with cover for subsequent losses depending on factors such as the wordings of their policies and their renewal date.
Insurers and brokers offer leave and flexible working as school closures strain parents
Insurers and brokers have increased paid leave and introduced more flexible working arrangements to employees under additional pressure from lockdown restrictions, with a particular focus on those now juggling work with childcare responsibilities.
Interview: Paul Coleman and Allison Hughes, Peach Pi
Last October saw the launch of Peach Pi, an insurance brand pitching itself to the UK’s micro-SMEs, freelancers and entrepreneurs. Harry Curtis caught up with managing director, Paul Coleman and Allison Hughes, head of distribution to learn about how the…
Government launches consultation on changes to Flood Re
The government has launched a consultation on changes to Flood Re, which would permit the industry pool to discount premiums on properties where flood resilience measures have been fitted and supplement claims payments to enable homeowners to ‘build back…
Cyber insurers hit back at suggested ransomware claims ban
Cyber insurers have hit back at former UK cybersecurity chief Ciaran Martin’s suggestion that ransomware claims payouts are fuelling organised crime and that a ban on such payments should be considered.
Markerstudy restructures debts and looks to acquisitions with £200m PE-led investment
Markerstudy has agreed a £200m investment led by private equity firm Pollen Street Capital, which will see its debts to Qatar Re restructured and fund organic and acquisition-led growth.
Zurich offers free counselling to claimants
Zurich is to offer policyholders that make a claim free counselling sessions, following a nine-month pilot last year.
Insurers count cost of Christoph as warnings of further flooding intensify
Storm Christoph is not expected to prove as costly as other recent winter storms, with PWC predicting insured losses could hit £120m, but could set the stage for more severe flooding as soon as next month.
CMCs expect soaring Covid-19 caseload as employees and public lodge claims
Covid-19-related lawsuits are set to drive a 40% increase in litigation over the coming year, with many claims management companies either already dealing with or anticipating a surge in claims.
Preparation for unlikely crises more than a 'tabletop exercise', warns World Economic Forum panel
Policymakers and business leaders need to pay greater attention to low-likelihood, high-impact risks, panellists warned at the launch of the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Risks Report on Tuesday.
Frustrated policyholders call for insurers to ‘take responsibility’ after Supreme Court rules many are due payouts
Policyholders and their representatives have called for insurers to “take responsibility” and “immediately start paying claims” in the wake of a bittersweet Supreme Court judgment on disputed coronavirus-related business interruption policies.
Analysis: The class of 2020 emerges
The emergence of a cluster of start up and scale up carriers, or a class of 2020, caught analysts by surprise despite the hardening market.
Hiscox response to BI ruling 'misleading' says Mishcon lawyer
A lawyer representing Hiscox's business interruption policyholders has called a statement by the insurer stating that fewer than one third of its policies may pay out following this morning’s Supreme Court judgment “misleading”.
Rightindem appoints Kieran Rigby as chair
Claims management insurtech Rightindem has appointed Kieran Rigby, formerly global president of Crawford Claims Solutions, as its chairman.
Former Lib Dem leader brands insurer Covid BI claims handling 'deeply depressing'
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has called the conduct of insurers during the coronavirus pandemic “deeply depressing” and urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to “take steps to protect insurance customers from the actions of insurers”.
Lockdown: Many insurer and broker offices to remain open as Lloyd's underwriting room closes
Insurers and brokers have told Post that the majority of their staff will continue to work from home and that offices will remain open to those few that need to access them, following the start of a third national lockdown in England.
Personal injury claimants mired in £240m pandemic litigation backlog for over a year
Road traffic accident claimants have waited over a year just for their cases to be heard in court due to backlogs exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of Ministry of Justice figures by Zurich.
Thingco secures £3m investment from BGL owner
Telematics insurtech Thingco has secured a £3m investment from BGL Group holding company owner BHL (UK) Holdings, Post can reveal.
Credit insurers warn of insolvency surge later this year as government extends trade credit scheme
The UK government-backed trade credit reinsurance scheme to guarantee up to £10bn of business-to-business transactions has been extended to run for the first half of 2021.
Q&A: McLarens' Kieran Gallagher and Dave Watts on hurricane season amid a pandemic
The 2020 hurricane season was unprecedented, both due to the number of storms and because it coincided with a global pandemic. Post spoke to McLarens’ Kieran Gallagher, executive director, and Dave Watts, executive adjuster and head of home foreign,…
Policyholders told to check cover as FCA imposes restrictions on insolvent construction broker
The Financial Conduct Authority has told customers who purchased cover through insolvent South West-based Professional Construction Risks Limited to contact their insurers directly to confirm the status of their policies.
No Supreme Court BI judgment before January, says FCA
Insurers and policyholders will have to wait until next year for the final outcome of the Financial Conduct Authority-led business interruption test case, according to an update from the regulator.
RSA names Steve Watson London market head
RSA has appointed Steve Watson as managing director of its London market business with immediate effect.