International Underwriting Association (IUA)

How are companies digitising the insurance process? That is the question to be addressed in the third and final joint IUA-ACORD event looking at the effectiveness of processing procedures - from placing through to premium accounting and claims management. A webinar on 28 October will see our expert speakers discuss more complex examples for the use of data standards. They will highlight how platform providers and suppliers have worked alongside insurers and brokers to standardise risk data difitally. Joining us are: Clarissa M. – ACORD Simon Squires – AXA XL Jason Bissessur – Marsh Troy Hughes – Aon Ralph Koglin – Swiss Re The free online event will be chaired by the IUA's Director of Market Operations and Transformation, Kim Darrington. Register your attendance now at the IUA's Education Hub: https://buff.ly/E6srEkI

Our latest competition law training session will take place on Wednesday 12 November. Chandralekha Ghosh from Clifford Chance will be joining us for a webinar to demonstrate, with practical examples, the types of agreement and conduct that are permissable when exchanging commercially sensitive information. Competition authorities are increasingly willing to investigate companies operating in the financial services sector, with the threat of heavy fines, disqualification and even imprisonment for those who breach competition rules. Register for this free session at the IUA Education Hub: https://buff.ly/0z9g597

Anyone involved in handling, adjusting, or settling claims on Californian risks must undertake annual training. The state's Department of Insurance insists that all such professionals annually update their knowledge of its Fair Claims Practices regulations. IUA members can satisfy this requirement by attending our webinar with Wilson Elser on 29 October. Shannon Santos, and David Simantob from the law firm will provide a comprehensive review of the regulations. This year, the training will also offer instruction on the impact of emergency declarations from the California Department of Insurance. Register now at the IUA's Education Hub: https://buff.ly/lYcF8Rf

Contingency insurers in the London Market this morning gathered for a networking breakfast hosted by the IUA's Contingency Working Party. The event included several roundtable discussions led by leading industry figures. Jennifer Kleiser of DWF spoke about non-disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions by an artist. Harrison Costi from Tysers discussed over-redemption and prize indemnity. Dom Oversby of Dale Underwriting Partners highlighted adverse weather considerations for covering outdoor events. Caspar Prestidge from Convex Insurance looked at the importance of clarity and contract certainty on clauses, exclusions, wordings and quote terms. For further information about the work of the IUA's Contingency Working Party please contact the IUA's Joe Shaw and Ela Metalia.

A recording of our recent webinar held with the insurance platform Send is now available to view on the IUA's YouTube channel. In this session, William Harnett, Head of Product Strategy, discussed the evolution of underwriting in a digital landscape. He showed how underwriters can move beyond manual, process-heavy workflows and start making faster, smarter, more data-informed decisions. William has also written a blog exploring the subject further: https://buff.ly/FeMWDr0

The IUA's Political Risk Committee today hosted a networking breakfast for London Market insurers. Three hot discussion topics were debated at the event in conversations led by senior practitioners. Alastair Townsend-Rose, Class Underwriter at Chaucer Group considered how technology will reshape the political risk and credit insurance market. Meanwhile, Harry Walford, Senior Underwriter for Political Risk at Starr, examined sovereign risk analysis. Finally, Simon Bessant, Global Head of Insurance at The Texel Group, explored the role of a broker in the context of their client – the insured. The event was chaired by the IUA's Faye Hepburn.

Last week 23 London Market claims professionals took part in our five-day US litigation training programme in New York. The course provided a fantastic opportunity for hands-on learning, with visits to state and federal courts, meetings with judges, participation in mock trials, and expert presentations from senior attorneys. It was jointly-hosted with Wilson Elser, and the IUA would like to thank everyone at the firm who provided the programme with dedicated support. We plan to organise the training again in 2026. Any London Market claims professionals interested in taking part should contact the IUA's Director of Claims, Joe Shaw. The class of 2025 were: Adam De Cruz, Claims Underwriter, Hiscox Claudia Ralph, Claims Broker, Munich Re Aga Kurant, Claims Adjuster, Tokio Marine Kiln Ela Metalia, Underwriting and Claims Executive, International Underwriting Association Alison J., Claims Adjuster, Brit Insurance Jack Simmonds, Senior Claims Adjuster, HDI GLobal SE Annie Scott, Senior Claims Adjuster, Renaissance Jack Bailey, Claims Adjuster, SCOR Arizona Watson, Claims Specialist, Swiss Re John Kelly, Liability Claims Adjster, Newline Group Charlie B., Claims Underwriter, Hiscox Jonathan Wylde, Claims Manager, Beazley Karen Amos, Head of Bermuda Claims & Operations Manager, The Fidelis Partnership Ria R., Claims Adjuster, Markel International Lauren Argent, Claims Adjuster, W/R/B Underwriting Richard Brooks, Claims Handler, Generali Global Corporate & Commercial Madeleine Rose, Claims Adjuster, Dale Underwriting Partners Rory Kemp, Claims Adjuster, S.A. Meacock & Company Limited Martin Möller, LL.M., Senior Claims Counsel, Hannover Ruck SE Sierra Wolffe, Claims Analyst, Lancashire Insurance Company Limited Nicola Chapman, Global Head of Claims, Rokstone Group Limited Victoria Strasser-King, Claims Specialist, HDI UK and Ireland Nicole Baygan, Casualty Claims Manager, Liberty Specialty Markets #USLitigationTraining2025

One of the highlights of our US litigation training in New York was a mock trial. Hosted with the law firm Wilson Elser the exercise saw London Market delegates hear Mat Ross, a trial partner at the firm, deliver opening arguments. Aviva Stein acted as opposing counsel while Jay A. Potter took the part of the judge. #USLitigationTraining2025

Day four of our US litigation training course in New York contained a busy agenda of presentations by senior attorneys about different stages of the legal process. The programme for London Market claims professionals, is jointly hosted with law firm Wilson Elser. It saw delegates work through the investigation, spoliation, and discovery stages. They also learnt about summary judgement motions, mediation, pretrial motions and social inflation. The day concluded with a mock voir dire. Instruction came from Stephanie Reda, Rachel Davis, Chris Flanagan, Aviva Stein and Nicholas Freeman. #USLitigationTraining2025