DAC Beachcroft
Fraud deterrent staff need to be given incentives
Employees tasked with the prevention and deterrence of fraud should be given incentives alongside their detection counterparts, if insurers are to develop a fully coherent and effective counter-fraud strategy.
New members strengthen advisory council
The prospect of problematic personal injury cases being resolved by mediation has been bolstered by the backing of two industry heavyweights. Representatives from insurer Aviva and personal injury solicitors Thompsons are among the latest to join Trust…
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.
FSA fines Goldman Sachs £17.5m
The Financial Services Authority has fined Goldman Sachs “for being Goldman Sachs,” according to Beachcroft.
Legal update - tax relief schemes: Ad hoc relief
The repeal of certain tax reliefs for investors has seen a spate of claims against professionals who advised on such transactions. Julian Miller and Tom Pangbourne look at the downfall of the system and its implications for the insurance industry.
Law firms divided over FSA broker action
Eversheds and Beachcroft have responded to the FSA’s record £150 000 fine and ban on five insurance brokers, announced earlier today.
Rome II: Together in harmony?
Rome II aimed to simplify the way cross-border claims were dealt with. Paula Jefferson and Catherine Fox examine why it hasn't quite had the effect intended, with even the timing of the legislation being questioned.
News comment - Law Commissions: Raising the stake
Richard Evans examines the Law Commissions' latest proposals for reform of insurance contract law with regards to the issue of fraud.
Insurers concerned over double regulatory burden
The lack of detail concerning the regulation of the Lloyd's market could mean insurers there have more influence than others over the eventual shape of their replacement regime for the Financial Services Authority.
Beachcroft warns of cost of reform
Dan Preddy, financial services litigation partner at Beachcroft, has responded to publication of the Treasury consultation paper on financial services regulation.
Beachcroft hails win in fraud case
A dishonest homeowner who exaggerated a contents claim, which was part of a larger claim for major repairs to his property after it was badly destroyed by a fire, has had the entire claim rejected at court.
Credit hire: Stuck on you
After Axa spurned the Association of British Insurers' general terms of agreement, many thought other motor insurers would follow suit. Rachel Gordon examines why a mass exodus has not occurred.
Personal injury - unsolicited SMS: Text pests
With a rise in unsolicited text messages encouraging recipients to make personal injury claims, Daniel Dunkley looks into what the industry can do to tackle this undesirable correspondence.
Contract law in consultation
The Law Commission is considering amending insurance contract law to allow insurers to seek damages from fraudulent policyholders.
Broking focus - bribery act: Proscribing bribing
With the spotlight on broker commissions, Leigh Jackson reports on the incoming Bribery Act and the threat it poses for financial incentives.
Technology - E-certificates: Certifiable progress
Jakki May explains that changes to the law regarding e-certificates for motor insurance mean that the industry can now make headway in dispensing with old-style postal delivery, potentially saving millions on printing while also reducing fraud.
Cloud computing: Clouds on the horizon
Cloud computing has become the latest idea to catch the eye in commercial computing. Sam Barrett reports why the insurance industry is carefully assessing the advantages and potential pitfalls.
Beachcroft sees turnover and profits increase
Beachcroft LLP today announced turnover figures for the year 2009/10 of approximately £131m, up from £121m last year, an increase of almost 8%.
Law firm warns government against hasty reform of financial institutions
Beachcroft has warned the government against trying to rush through financial reform "in pursuit of favourable headlines".
Finance raising - IPOS: Lack of activity
Marsh recently predicted an increase in initial public offerings. Amy Ellis looks at what is actually happening and the impact on the wider insurance community.
Law firms welcome class action u-turn
The government has dropped controversial plans in the Financial Services Bill to allow class actions against financial institutions.
Myners scraps Class Action plan in rush to get Financial Services Bill through
The Government has dropped its controversial plans in the Financial Services Bill to allow class actions against financial institutions.
Insurers gain the upper hand over aggregators
The balance of power is shifting away from aggregators and back towards insurers — a trend the latter should capitalise on while pursuing a more collaborative approach.
Learning to live together
Insurers and brokers may be feeling disillusioned with aggregators but learning to adapt to the model could prove profitable, explains Mathew Rutter.