Triumph for Airmic at association awards

Airmic’s work in promoting insurance law reform was recognised when it received the Effective Voice award at an event for trade associations in London last month.

Accepting the award along with chief executive John Hurrell, research and development manager Georgina Wainwright said it represented welcome recognition of Airmic’s role in promoting change.

The citation highlighted Airmic’s championing of the Insurance Act 2015, which comes into law in August, replacing the existing century-old legal framework for UK commercial insurance. It was described “as a long-term campaign, conducted with various partners and through a variety of channels, from behind-the-scenes negotiations, government lobbying and a media campaign – all designed to educate, persuade and pressurize the key stakeholders into supporting the cause.”

The new law will replace the Marine Insurance Act, 1906, which the association argued was out of date and imposed unfair conditions on companies when making claims, and it follows seven years of campaigning. Surveys of Airmic members regularly showed strong support for the change, with the latest finding that well over 90% think it will benefit their organisations.

“This award is a tribute not just to Airmic, but to the entire market which came together to support a more modern legal framework for insurance,” said John Hurrell. “I would especially like to thank for law commissioner David Hertzell for his tireless work in finding a way forward that was acceptable to underwriters and brokers as well as policyholders.”