Our Thoughts
Current
Underwriting manuals and tele-interviewing
Tele-interviewing plays an increasing part in the underwriting process. However, given that the resulting information can be significantly different from traditional methods, can current underwriting manuals effectively support the decision making process?
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TPD: RIP or what's in a name?
The Association of British Insurers review of TPD is now drawing to a close and we comment on the content of the final consultation paper and the new name for the product.
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Tele-interviewing: a worldwide perspective
We attended the 2010 ICLAM conference in Cape Town, where Susie presented some highlights of the worldwide tele-interviewing survey we carried out with Hank George.
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Tele-interviewing: interview with Sermos
An interview with Stephen Dalton who runs the specialist consultancy firm Sermos. Find out about him and about what makes Sermos special. Click here to read more
Defining occupations: time for modernisation
More reflections on how occupations are classified for rating purposes. The evidence for a new approach stacks up. Click here to read more
Total and permanent disability
Seems like a great benefit but it's difficult to make it work satisfactorily. We discuss why. Click here to read more
TPD - a closer look... and now a brief update too
We reflect on the UK Association of British Insurers' proposals for improving TPD in the context of critical illness cover. New 'brief update' article added 1 November 2009.
Technology - its impact on underwriting and claims
Susie Cour-Palais reviews where we are where we are going in her presentation to the Medicals Direct Panorama conference in October 2009. Click here to read more
Chronic pain... and chronic regional pain syndrome
Unfamiliar with causalgia and algodystrophy? There are plenty more like these two. Learn more about chronic pain syndromes, how they overlap and how they link with other diagnoses. Article on chronic regional pain syndrome added 1 November 2009.
Underwriting occupations
We argue a case for assessing occupation risk on the basis of what applicants do at work, not their job title. You know it makes sense. Click here to read more
Gut feel
Part of the art of underwriting? We look at this time-honoured fall-back for difficult cases in the context of the modern world. Click here to read more
Underwriting manuals – strategic dilemmas parts 1, 2 and 3
Our current thoughts on underwriting manuals and the importance of strategic direction in creating user benefits. Click here to read more
Scope for innovation
There is so much scope to do risk management differently and create better value for consumers. Peter Maynard's presentation at LUCID 2009. Click here to read more
A global view of tele-underwriting
What it says on the tin. Susie Cour-Palais' presentation to the 2009 Society of Actuaries conference. Click here to read more
Cardiovascular risk calculators
A critical appraisal by Gary Bundock. His presentation to the Association of Medical Underwriters in February 2009. Click here to read more
Outsourcing
We consider some of the current risks inherent in some of the outsourcing models currently in use. Click here to read more
A question of family history
Our thoughts on one company’s decision to remove family history questions from some application forms. Click here to read more
Treating customers fairly (TCF)
If treating customers fairly isn’t part of its DNA, will a raft of TCF regulations really help the consumer? Click here to read more
The value of innovation
The ability to innovate effectively and consistently is important. Even in an economic downturn... Click here to read more
