As PPI providers continue to face pressure from consumer groups and regulators, it's interesting to see how their trade associations are tackling the issues raised by the CAB, OFT, FSA and Defaqto.
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As PPI providers continue to face pressure from consumer groups and regulators, it's interesting to see how their trade associations are tackling the issues raised by the CAB, OFT, FSA and Defaqto.
The FSA has given trade associations until 17 March to "get their house in order" and introduce self-correcting voluntary measures.
So it comes as no surprise to hear news of cross-industry forums and proposed reviews of baseline specifications.
While chief executives and their members ponder over what measures to take, there's some welcome straight-talking from Biba which has called for single premiums to be abolished.
Biba is one of the few trade associations to stick its head above the parapet and actually do something tangible.
Not only is Biba tackling the single premium issue by asking for it to be outlawed, but it is working to shift the blame from our industry to the lenders who created this debacle.
I applaud the recent comment by Biba chief executive Eric Galbraith: "This is not an insurance problem and there's nothing wrong with PPI itself.
"The worst abuse of this product has been at the hands of the lenders who sell PPI and in many cases also design the product."
I'm equally delighted that Biba has encouraged its members to sell PPI cover.
More providers will certainly break the High Street monopoly and change perceptions of this product.
Trade associations only have a small window of opportunity to demonstrate they're taking corrective action.
At the moment, it looks to me that Biba is the only trade body to tackle these issues head on.
Simon Burgess
Managing director
British Insurance
