The group risk market has begun to recover from the effects of recession although income protection is still in decline, according to Swiss Re.

Pink is pushing its representatives to take a greater focus on protection and has unveiled a new short protection panel featuring five providers.

Insurers are increasingly influencing private medical practice and threatening consultants with being taken off their books, doctors have said.

Patients experience persistent and widespread variations in the chances of undergoing surgery for common medical conditions on the NHS such as knee and hip replacements, a new study has revealed.

Medicare International has launched an online purchase option allowing clients to buy cover directly from its website.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has implored the Treasury to apply an "appropriate, proportionate and cost-effective approach" to regulating insurance brokers.

Government plans to give care workers and patients more control over their care will be tested with the announcement of six trial areas.

There has been much to smile about this year in the group life market, but as Owain Thomas discovers, there is still one problem that could see advisers on the hook for millions of pounds in uninsured liabilities

LV= has continued the market's focus of reducing reliance on GP reports (GPRs) by slashing the number requested for its income protection (IP) applications.

Royal London has agreed to potentially buy the Progress protection back book business as part of its deal with parent company Royal Liver.