McLarens has expanded its UK and Ireland major loss team with the appointment of Michael Ledgerton. Michael is a senior major loss specialist who joins from a large UK adjuster where he was head of major loss. The appointment will strengthen McLarens’ capability at a regional level. Based in Manchester, Michael brings considerable multi-sector experience around complex and major losses, across industries including including real estate, retail, hospitality, food and drink, waste recycling and housing associations. His adjusting career began with McLarens in 1991 after two years in the claims d ..read more

CAT approval sets stage for landmark class action The Competition and Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has approved the opt-out collective proceedings order (CPO) in a major class action lawsuit. Clare Spottiswood CBE, as the class representative, spearheads the lawsuit. She aims to secure compensation for millions of consumers who suffered overcharging on their energy bills due to a decade-long cartel of cable suppliers. The cartel, operating between 1999 and 2009, involved global cable suppliers overcharging electricity network operators for power cables. This caused ripple effects that burdened consum ..read more

ARAG plc, a provider of legal expenses insurance and assistance, has reported growth and profitability for the 2023 financial year. Despite the ongoing process of integrating DAS UK, leading up to its acquisition by ARAG, the company has shown an upward performance across key metrics. The gross written premium (GWP) under management witnessed an uptick of 8.6%, reaching £66.1 million compared to £60.9 million in 2022. This growth was primarily fuelled by a surge in before-the-event (BTE) legal expenses insurance and assistance business. A particular uptick was shown in the 26% increase ..read more

British people are wasting £2.9 million on their gardens, thanks to a low understanding of their flood risk, according to new data published today by Flood Re, the joint initiative between the UK government and the insurance industry. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Brits spent £17.6 billion on their gardens last year – an average of £402 per UK adult – but low awareness of their flood risk means they’re currently wasting £2.9m on their gardens, which are being battered by heavy rain and surface water flooding. In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the impac ..read more

APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) has voiced concerns over proposals to grant non-parties access to court documents in civil proceedings. The plans, subject to consultation on amending the civil procedure rules, would enable non-parties to obtain certain documents without requiring court permission, except where a relevant party seeks to restrict access. However, APIL argues that such access should be granted on a case-by-case basis to safeguard individuals’ rights.   Kim Harrison, vice president of APIL, emphasised the importance of assessing cases individually to strike ..read more

In a world fraught with uncertainties, understanding the landscape of microinsurance has become paramount.   The Microinsurance Network (MiN), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (UNDP IRFF), presents the latest benchmark ‘Landscape of Microinsurance Study’, offering insights into this evolving sector. Published annually, this report serves as a tool to comprehend global risks, from climate change to food insecurity and social instability. Drawing from data collected in 2022, it sheds light on emerging trends aimed at bridging ..read more

On International Workers’ Memorial Day (28 April), industrial disease experts rallied for a crucial change to legislation to ensure all victims of asbestos-related lung cancer contracted at work receive full compensation, equal to those suffering from mesothelioma. Asbestos continues to pose a significant threat in the workplace, with it being the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK. Daniel Easton, an industrial disease expert from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), highlights the challenges faced by victims, stating, “It can be many years after contact with asbestos ..read more

Kennedys, a global law firm specialising in litigation and dispute resolution, is marking another year of growth and success. Kennedys has welcomed a new cohort of partners and expanded its international presence over the past 12 months. Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, attributes the firm’s success to the exceptional talent within its ranks. Nick stated; “The success of the firm is down to the exceptional talent of our people. We are committed to developing our people and rewarding their contribution to our success.” Alan Demirkaya, chief people officer, stated, “We place a real empha ..read more

Cyber insurance market trends The cyber insurance landscape is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by steady growth and an evolving market. The recently released 2024 Global Market Report (GMR) by the QualRisk Cyber Insurance Center (QCC) sheds light on key trends and future projections. According to the report, global cyber insurance premiums experienced a 6% growth in 2023. This is the slowest rate since 2019, yet it still reached a substantial $14.4 billion globally. Daniel Kasper, CEO of QCC, emphasised the shifting geography of this growth. He stated, “The bulk of the future gr ..read more

Simon Hoskin, director of travel/A&H, Gallagher Bassett.   Travel insurance costs in the UK have been steadily rising, presenting challenges for both insurers and travellers. Several factors have contributed to this surge, including medical cost inflation, repatriation struggles, increased fraud and the UK cost of living crisis. These combined pressures have pushed premiums higher, leaving travellers with a greater financial burden.   Medical costs are escalating One of the primary reasons for the rise in travel insurance claims costs is the escalating medical expenses in certain ..read more