The gathering storm

UK disasters such as the Boscastle flooding have brought insurance, and loss assessors in particular, to the forefront of people's minds, but this once secure area of the industry is now under intense scrutiny, particularly due to FSA regulation. Gareth Carpenter investigates

With an undeniable rise in severe weather incidents across the UK, the insurance industry has again found itself in the public eye. The recent tragic events at Boscastle not only shocked the nation, but served as a reminder of how important the simple act of taking out an insurance policy can be. When a company or a member of the public suddenly find themselves staring bankruptcy in the face as the result of a fire, flood or windstorm, the first person they will be on the phone to, to find out