It described how some insurers were so alarmed at the rate of car thefts in the UK that they had started to refuse to cover some of the country's most popular four-by-four and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Sadly, the situation has not improved since. In fact, the latest crime data issued by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) late last month illustrated that the theft
Of all the statistics which we've been confronted with since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there is one which I found quite intriguing. It came from research undertaken by a multi-national insurance company examining how the toll taken by Covid-19 might have caused people in the UK to change their approach to life cover. The study concluded that almost six million adults had subsequently
It's now almost 18 months since Britain was placed into a state of lockdown in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus. The measures proved severe for many businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector. Even more alarming was their inability to secure payouts on the business interruption insurance policies which they had put in place. Those disputes culminated in the Financial Conduct Authority
Small print. The very mention of it is enough to elicit a yawn among some people. There are many others who, I bet, never bother to read in detail the clauses and criteria which we find appended to many contracts. Yet small print is there for a reason, setting out important elements - or endorsements, as they're known - which underpin whatever agreement that we
Now that summer looks as if it's finally arrived, it's hard to avoid the temptation to spend time outside, enjoying the sunshine. After a year of lockdown, most of us will doubtless welcome the sights and sounds of a return to relative normality. Depending on where you live, the seasonal soundtrack is not only birdsong and the buzzing of bumble bees. Listen closely and you
No matter where we're driving, we see them. To fans, they're known as SUV's or four-by-fours. To their critics, they're referred to almost dismissively as 'Chelsea Tractors'. Yet no matter whether we love or loathe them, large vehicles are arguably a more regular feature on our roads than ever before. Some of the most recent figures available show that SUVs accounted for one-fifth of all
Buying almost anything involves making some sort of judgement call about an item's comparable merits. It doesn't matter whether it's expensive or relatively cheap: tinned tomatoes, holidays or even a house. We're continually deciding prospective purchases based on a number of different factors. Whilst some may rely on the personal recommendations of those whom we trust, how many of us are swayed by marketing? Even
On March 19, the FCA wrote to insurance firms making clear their expectations in relation to the widespread impact of Covid-19 on policyholders. They outlined an expectation that insurance firms should ‘consider very carefully the needs of their customers and show flexibility in their treatment of them’. Insurers were asked to ‘clearly communicate any policy exclusions that may impact the cover and use of individual
For established insurance colleagues and professionals, BIBA, the British Insurance Brokers Association, is one of the most recognised and highly respected brands in the industry. For over forty years, BIBA has been representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers by campaigning on all aspects of insurance to ensure the industry is united and working for all involved. Today, it is the UK’s
