Referral fees
Profile: Friend or foe? We meet Mactavish CEO Bruce Hepburn
Many in the insurance sector will have strong, and not necessarily favourable, opinions of Bruce Hepburn, but the outspoken Mactavish CEO tells Martin Friel that the consultant’s criticisms of brokers could lead to a fairer and more profitable industry
Admiral considering claims specialist takeover
Admiral is reportedly planning a tie-up or merger with a Bristol-based claims specialist.
Motorplus landed with £7m legal claim by two law firms
MotorPlus has been hit with a multi-million claim for alleged non-payment and breach of contract by two law firms.
Claims companies shoulder blame for high motor insurance
More than 50% of UK drivers blame the cost of motor insurance on claims companies and injury lawyers, according to a survey published today.
Insurers behaving in 'morally repugnant' fashion over PI auctions
A solicitor’s firm has branded the practice of auctioning books of personal injury claims morally repugnant and bankrupt.
The week that was
This was a bad week for the insurance industry in terms of press – consumer group magazine Which? in particular had a field day, accusing insurers of charging customers exorbitant ‘hidden fees’ to make run of the mill changes to policies.
Industry agrees to reduce premiums if government action cuts legal costs
The government has made a commitment to tackle the country’s growing compensation culture, reduce legal costs and cut health and safety red tape in return for the insurance industry’s assurance that it will pass any resultant savings on to consumers.
PM to challenge industry to reduce cost of motor premiums
David Cameron will host a summit with insurance industry representatives, consumer bodies and business groups in a bid to bring down the cost of insurance premiums and tackle the country's growing compensation culture.
Laspo bill delayed until April 2013
The Jackson reforms will not be implemented until April 2013, the government has announced.
Jack Straw to "push on" with motor reform
Jack Straw has vowed to fight on in his bid to reform the UK motor insurance market despite his Motor Insurance Regulation Bill hitting the wall.
Time running out for Straw's motor bill
Jack Straw MP’s Motor Insurance Regulation Bill is to have its second reading in the House of Commons today although there is little prospect of it becoming law.
Jack Straw warns of regulatory threat facing motor insurers
Jack Straw has called on the industry, particularly insurers, to do much more to reform the private motor market or face further government intervention.
Industry laments lack of referral fee bite in TSC report
The Transport Select Committee’s follow up report into the cost of motor insurance has been widely welcomed by the insurance industry but there is frustration that proposed measures to tackle referral fees do not go far enough.
Select Committee report focuses on whiplash claims and referral fees
The Transport Select Committee has called for the bar to receiving compensation for whiplash to be raised and for the receipt of referral fees to be banned across the board.
Reportage: Thinking big about smes
The difference between the small and the medium-sized businesses under the umbrella term SME can be very large and brokers need diverse tactics to target them both, explains Caitlin Morrison
OFT launches third party repair and credit hire investigation
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched an investigation into the provision of third party vehicle repairs and credit hire replacement vehicles in the UK motor market.
Admiral ponders creation of law firm
Admiral is considering setting up its own personal injury law firm in light of the developments to legal firms’ ownership under the alternative business structure changes.
Winners and losers
If the ban on referral fees goes ahead next year, the repercussions could be felt throughout the industry, explains Tony Cornell
Broker Expo: Referral fee ban will be the 'next scandal'
The proposed ban on referral fees will be a good thing, but has the potential to damage public perception of the insurance industry, according to a panel discussion at the 2011 Broker Expo, hosted by Insurance Age.
Reportage: LEI’s future in the balance
Legal expenses insurance faces an uncertain future but commercial could provide a lucrative new market, reports Louise Meeson
Lawyers warn of loophole in referral fee ban
Global law firm Kennedys has warned there is a significant loophole in the government’s proposed ban on referral fees.