Opinion
FCA commission crackdown goes beyond flats
Editor’s View: The Financial Conduct Authority’s policy statement on multi-occupancy buildings insurance in September plus the decision to push the pause button on guaranteed asset protection insurance sales last week was “a shot across the bow” on…
Why asbestos should be in the conversations at renewal
Martin Parker, head of construction underwriting for the UK at specialist insurer Markel, highlights the increasing risk to the many contractors not exposed to the height of the asbestos crisis in the 1970s and 1980s.
Why AI isn’t the silver bullet for the insurance industry’s problems
Artificial intelligence cannot remove all the manual work for insurers, warns Piers Williams, insurance lead at AutoRek, as using these solutions without human input runs the serious risk of introducing error.
LMA CEO Cameron on the London market’s digital transition
Trade Voice: As Blueprint Two efforts gain momentum, Sheila Cameron, CEO of the Lloyd’s Market Association and chair of the London Market Group’s Data Council, reflects on the opportunities ahead for her organisation’s members in 2024.
Amazon, Google, Tesla … is there a tech giant insurance cannot repel?
Content Director’s View: Following the quick and relatively painless death of the Amazon Insurance Store, Jonathan Swift reflects on why UK policyholders are often resistant to the charms of brands they would otherwise trust when it comes to buying…
Allianz’s Bryant on the cost of cutting back on cover
View from the Top: Helen Bryant, managing director for digital and legal protection at Allianz Commercial, outlines the key considerations for SMEs as regards underinsurance and indemnity periods.
How Tupe is transforming insurance’s talent pool
Shaun Geils, global head of insurance at services group IQ-EQ, on the opportunity to reskill the sector and how lifting out and absorbing teams means firms can retain access to their existing crop of talent.
Mass’s Brown on disjointed digital justice
Trade Voice: Sue Brown, chair of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, argues joined up thinking is needed around digitalisation efforts in the UK civil justice sector.
Amazon’s insurance exit has a Sting in the tail
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues that if Amazon had been allowed to watch every move consumers make, then the retail giant’s Insurance Store would have obliterated insurers in the same way it emptied the high street.
Partners&’s Phil Barton on taking sustainability seriously today
View from the Top: Phil Barton, CEO of Partners&, says insurance brokers should be a model for their clients and not delay in taking sustainability seriously.
How to pick car inspection tech that will drive insurance forward
Eliron Ekstein, co-founder and CEO of Ravin AI, shares the steps motor insurers should take to make sure the car inspection technology they pick today isn't obsolete tomorrow.
Cila’s John Bissell on the future of loss adjusting
Trade Voice: John Bissell, executive director of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters, says the loss adjusting profession needs to balance technological development with technical skill and the human touch.
Is Biba right to worry about personal lines broking?
News Editor’s View: After the British Insurance Brokers' Association asked personal lines insurers to commit to the broking channel, Scott McGee looks at what has got brokers spooked, and what action needs to happen in order for a fruitful future.
Axa’s Walker on providing certainty in an uncertain world
View from the Top: Jon Walker, CEO of Axa UK Commercial, says insurers’ insight is key to making this country more resilient to floods and the other effects of climate change.
Who is going to snap up insurance brokers in 2024
Age Lindenbergh, leader of the European Alvarez and Marsal’s Transaction Advisory Group, on why consolidation in the UK insurance brokerage market shows no signs of slowing down and where in the world cash is coming from to buy businesses.
Foil’s Allchorne on what’s next for the PI discount rate
Trade Voice: Pete Allchorne, president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers and partner at DAC Beachcroft, explores the potential ramifications of this year’s personal injury discount rate review.
A big Hill to climb: what the CII’s new CEO must do
Editor’s View: As soon as Legal Services Board CEO Matthew Hill, pictured, was named the Chartered Insurance Institute’s third CEO in as many three years, insurers contacted Emma Ann Hughes to share what they think should be at the top of his in-tray.
How cyber criminals are using AI to attack targets faster
Andrew Martin, CEO of UK-based cyber security software firm DynaRisk, highlights the alarming trend of cyber criminals leveraging artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, to enhance their malicious activities.
Why initial attempts at justifying fair value have been too flimsy
James Daley, managing director of consumer group and consultancy Fairer Finance, reveals how the early fair value assessments he has seen fail to “come close to doing a good enough job”.
Why the MGA sector will advance in 2024
Trade Voice: Mike Keating, CEO of the Managing General Agents' Association, argues MGAs are uniquely placed to meet the challenges that 2024 will bring.
Is the Aon–NFP deal a sign of mega broking M&A to come?
Content Director's View: Jonathan Swift reflects on the recent record broking deal between Aon and NFP, and asks whether the $13.4bn (£10.5bn) price tag will be beaten by another acquisition in 2024.
Should UK insurers brace for more strong tornadoes?
After homes in Manchester were torn apart by Storm Gerrit, Tegwen Gabb, senior weather and climate analyst at Eurotempest, examines whether tornadoes could become increasingly frequent in the UK and the consequences for the insurance industry.
How regulation, AI and customer expectations are transforming claims
Amid regulatory change and customer expectations shifting from simply getting the pay-out to requiring a streamlined process, Patrick Hayward, consultant at Altus Consulting, explores the ways insurers are updating claims processes.
ABI’s Clark spells out home truths on rising premiums
Trade Voice: Louise Clark, property adviser at the Association of British Insurers, says rising premiums need to be understood within the context of increasing price pressures on insurers.