Pricing practices
Broker earnings boosted by 11.3% in 2023
The value of the worldwide market for insurance broking in terms of fees and commissions earned was around $168bn (£132bn) in 2023, up from about $151bn in 2022 on a constant currency basis, according to research by Insuramore.
What a Labour victory means for insurance
James Daley, managing director of the research and consultancy group Fairer Finance, reveals who should fear the approach of a new Labour administration and what companies could thrive if the Conservative Party are ousted at the general election on 4…
Admiral offers refunds after overcharging ‘small percentage’ of customers
A percentage of Admiral customers have been issued a refund after the insurer identified an error affecting the premium quoted at renewal.
Is premium finance still a tax on the poor?
News Editor’s View: Scott McGee considers whether recent steps taken by trade bodies to address premium finance will reassure the Financial Conduct Authority that this payment method is no longer a ‘tax on being poor’ that needs to be tackled.
What is going on with electric vehicle insurance?
Post Podcast: What pushed up the price of electric vehicle insurance plus the steps providers are taking to ensure premiums are affordable is the topic of the latest Insurance Post Podcast.
Insurers face margin crush unless premiums are hiked
Data analysis: A sustainable margin recovery looks increasingly challenging for insurers with premiums needing to increase in real terms to prevent any erosion after a tripling of costs to 10.9% of premiums last year from 3.5% in 2022.
FCA overwhelmed by feedback on naming and shaming
Emily Shepperd, chief operating officer of the Financial Conduct Authority, has said the regulator will “really take our time” when considering its proposed plans to name firms it is investigating before any decision has been made.
Sobering reading for those with a Biba hangover
Editor’s View: If you are nursing a hangover after going to this year’s British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference then Emma Ann Hughes reckons you missed the point of attending the annual gathering in Manchester.
Exploring the ethnicity penalty in insurance
As the insurance industry is once again accused of discriminating against individuals living in ethnically diverse areas, Aamina Zafar considers whether providers should do a better job of demonstrating racism isn’t a factor in pricing policies.
Movers and shakers who made Insurance Post’s Power List 2024 revealed
This year’s Insurance Post Power List reflects how claims inflation combined with the Consumer Duty caused some providers to shift their focus and disruptors found it is easier to send a rocket into space than enter the UK insurance market.
Nigel Walsh, Google Cloud
The number of deals insurers have been making with Google Cloud to finally deliver that seamless, personalised insurance experience that customers used to shopping via Amazon and streaming films via Netflix is ramping up.
Repair costs continue to push up home insurance premiums
According to the Association of British Insurers’ premium tracker, home insurance premiums increased 3% in the first quarter of 2024, following a severe winter for weather damage.
Big Interview: Tara Foley, Axa
Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK & Ireland, outlines how the business can now do intraday pricing, shares the provider’s growth plans, and reveals how artificial intelligence is changing ways of working at the insurer.
Irish guidelines for assessing damages to push up premiums
Aine Tyrrell, partner at law firm DAC Beachcroft, explains why fresh guidelines for the assessment of damages in Northern Ireland could add to the costs faced by insurers and contribute further inflationary pressure to premiums for liability and motor…
DLG or Esure – which Peter Wood baby is most likely to bounce back?
Content Director’s View: Direct Line Group and Esure are looking to put recent troubles behind them after less than stellar performances in 2023. With both claiming solid foundations on which to now prosper, Jonathan Swift reflects on the chances either…
Pet insurance premiums decrease amid regulator interest
Pet owners saw their insurance premiums decrease by 2.5% in March but still remain greater than a year ago, according to data released by Pearson Ham.
Time to make it easier to pay for insurance
Andrea Dunlop, non-executive director of Access PaySuite, points out if you want brand loyalty and repeat custom, then you need to make it easier for customers to pay for insurance.
Motor insurers warned about political and regulatory intervention
Motor insurers stand on the precipice of a possible explosion in complaints relating to essentials and value policies. And if the industry does not act it should be ready for political and regulatory intervention.
Why we empathise with consumers on premium prices
Mark Shepherd, head of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, explains why empathising with motor insurance customers is crucial and how the trade body is helping providers to improve the communication of product value at…
Tech transformations wont work ‘if the tail is wagging the dog’
Two years on from being brought in to oversee Direct Line’s online transformation, the insurer’s chief information officer Ash Jokhoo has outlined how work to develop an end-to-end digital claims process is going.
What pushed up the price of EV premiums
Andrew Little, head of marketing and sales at Redtail Telematics, explains what pushed up electric vehicle motor insurance premiums plus what it will take to make cover more affordable again.