Although we're nearing the time of year when we crane our necks to catch sight of a certain sleigh and reindeer above snowy rooftops, we know that it's not just Santa who likes to give gifts at Christmas. In spite of economic conditions which may mean that festive spending is rather more restrained than usual, there is plenty of evidence that people are still likely

As I write, there's now less than a week until Christmas Day. For many people, it's a time to switch off and enjoy the festivities with family and friends. However, there are other individuals apart from Santa for whom the holiday period doesn't necessarily mean a chance to put their feet up. The emergency services work hard all year 'round, of course. Even so, the

As the World Cup currently taking place in Qatar heads into the final stages, we have a little more clarity about which team will emerge as the overall winners. Some would say that's particularly welcome, given that this tournament has arguably been the strangest in the history of the competition. Before the matches began in earnest, it seemed that the event would be dominated by

20 Questions with Andrew Thorn We sat down to talk to Senior Underwriter Andrew Thorn from Brit, London.    How do you like to start the day?  Exercising if possible, it’s great for the mind. This has reduced following baby number 2…..   What’s the best part of your job?  Delivering results, working closely with brokers, and developing and maintaining relationships. Working in a friendly,

Bob Eccles, Executive Loss Adjuster (Private Clients) at McLarens in Manchester tells us all about his role. "I have over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, having worked for GAB Robins, Crawfords, and Criterion, before recently re-joining McLarens on 12th July 2021. My first working day at McLarens on Monday 12th July coincided with the London floods, and my first day on appointments

Let's face it, the world of insurance can seem complicated to many people who don't work in it. At its best and most effective, it's a three-way process - a clear dialogue between those wanting cover, their brokers and the underwriters employed by insurers. Nevertheless, some individuals and small businesses prefer to deal directly with insurers. Given that they may not be absolutely familiar with

There's little doubt that technology has radically impacted our lives and I don't think that I'd be alone in arguing that, for the most part, it has had a beneficial effect. The pace of development shows little sign of slowing down either. It's hard to believe that less than 200 years ago, the world marvelled at the first passenger rail service. Yet in the last

As the centuries-old saying goes, an Englishman's home is his castle. In many cases, it is also his main asset. Last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) detailed how the average house price in the UK was £286,397 - a rise of more than two-thirds (68.4 per cent) in the course of the last decade. It is of no small concern for Englishmen, women

In a sense, the end of a financial year for any business has echoes of December the 31st for the rest of the general population. It offers the opportunity to reflect on progress made and the intended direction of travel for the future. However, that consideration is usually more sober - and, hopefully, with an absence of fireworks - than New Year's Eve. As I

Having insurance cover certainly provides peace of mind. Yet the reason why we put cover in place is more than merely psychological. It means that should our loved ones, our property or our businesses experience theft, damage or death, we will either be able to repair the physical or commercial injury, or be adequately compensated for our loss. When it comes to property, for instance,