header-logo header-logo

16 September 2010 / Steven O'Sullivan
Issue: 7433 / Categories: Features , Profession , Insurance / reinsurance
printer mail-detail

Playing the market

Steven O’Sullivan shares some tips on how to lower your insurance premium

After a number of “soft” years (meaning favourable to insureds), the solicitors PI market has gone markedly hard last year and this. Of course, in any market, no firm wants to over-pay for professional indemnity insurance, but price assumes an ever more important role when it eats up a larger slice of your turnover. In what ways can firms take steps to reduce their premium, yet get maximum value?

Shop around

This may seem obvious, but it’s surprising the number of firms, often hard pressed and too busy to give the matter due thought, simply accept the first quote received from their existing insurer. Few insurers deal directly with their insureds, and this is where a broker can be useful. Even if you are happy with both your insurer and your new premium, there is no harm in testing the market. In softer markets I heard of one insured who went from paying £110,000 to £16,000!

While there is a degree

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

HFW—Nelson Wang

HFW—Nelson Wang

HFW strengthens global insurance practice and Greater China offering with London Partner hire

Burges Salmon—David McEwing

Burges Salmon—David McEwing

Burges Salmon boosts Energy and Utilities practice with appointment of David McEwing

Browne Jacobson—Alexander Studholme

Browne Jacobson—Alexander Studholme

Browne Jacobson adds international construction arbitration partner in London push

NEWS
A former senior judge has warned peers against scrapping juries for fraud and financial crimes, ahead of the Courts and Tribunals Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords this week
Civil practitioners face changes spanning debt recovery, workplace harassment and possession claims, alongside guidance on insolvency challenges and children proceedings

Finding matrimonial wealth is as challenging as dividing it, as family disputes draw practitioners into asset tracing, offshore structures and insolvency

Agreement between opponents offers no guarantee that a court will approve a retrospective increase to a costs budget
Climate change belongs on every lawyer’s agenda, with risks extending far beyond environmental practice into commercial advice, litigation and access to justice
back-to-top-scroll