Opinion

The updated version of the Association of British Insurers' (ABI) statement of best practice for critical illness (CI) cover is soon to be revealed. The ABI believes the revised document will help consumers better understand how CI works. Will it succeed?...

On 14 January general insurance regulation will have been in place for a year. What effect has regulation had on the insurance industry - and have we seen any tangible results?

With the start of a new year round the corner, what have been the main issues facing the health insurance and protection market over the last 12 months and what has been achieved?

The Association of British Insurers' new guidelines on HIV ask insurers to question policyholders on whether they have been exposed to HIV infection by having unsafe sex. Many industry experts have slammed the new rules, arguing that the question is too...

The FSA has announced it will be proposing that pension term assurance (PTA) should be sold under ICOB rules as well as COB rules. What does this mean for protection intermediaries? Is there a future for PTA, and how long is the product likely to last...

Has the introduction of depolarisation changed the meaning of independent advice in the protection market and what effects could this have on the sector?

What are the pros and cons of the Financial Services Authority's treating customers fairly (TCF) initiative and what has it contributed to the protection and health insurance markets?

There has been speculation that the protection market is undergoing a rate war. Although several insurers have denied this claim, the number of rate changes has increased lately. Could this have a negative effect on the industry, and how will intermediaries...

Mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) is constantly criticised for its failings in comparison to income protection (IP). But what advantages does the product have and in what instance is it a more suitable product than IP?

Next month the Association of British Insurers' (ABI) critical illness (CI) working party will announce the proposed changes to the CI definitions. What definition changes are expected, what would be welcomed, and what impact will this have on intermediaries...