header-logo header-logo

Playing the market

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

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 of hassle in completing further forms, your broker should

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

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn Premium Content

Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Could the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets, ask Keith Oliver, head of international, and Amalia Neenan FitzGerald, associate, Peters & Peters, in this week’s NLJ

back-to-top-scroll