Protecting Lawyers for the Long Term
For insurers of the legal profession, 2021 has been about steadying the ship in order to sustain business protection. In recent years, an abundance of capacity meant that rates were suppressed and insurers couldn’t always apply pricing that was sustainable – however, since 2017, a sustained deterioration in the claims environment has seen rates increase to compensate for that. Those rate increases will likely stay in place for the remainder of the year as uncertainty persists around claims.
While some of these claims have arisen from the pandemic, others have resulted from changes in the property market, growing cyber threats and additional pressures that solicitors are facing right now. This Spring, insurers have aimed to retain their renewals, applying targeted rate increase where needed and at sustainable levels. Looking ahead after a rollercoaster of a year and the economic uncertainty it has triggered, it’s difficult to predict trends with great confidence. Still, we can expect the emergence of new products to help address existing gaps in the legal insurance market.
For example, ever since freelance solicitor status was created by Solicitors Regulation Authority in November 2019, there have been a lack of available options in the market for freelancer cover. This has meant that many individuals have not been able to take the freelance route even though they have been keen to do so. Few insurers have been willing to offer a product amid lingering doubts about the cover required and what level of take-up there would be. But enquiries from brokers have sparked the development of new options.
We know freelancers need adequate and appropriate cover, and they want an affordable product. After much consultation with brokers, we’ve been able to apply our legal sector knowledge and experience to design a product that we believe meets those requirements. The product is in the development phase and we’re looking forward to launching it in the near future.
Donna Hurst
Senior Development Underwriter at Travelers Europe
The forthcoming closure of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund has created another gap. Under current arrangements, law firms that close without a successor practice are provided with six years of run-off cover under the SRA’s Minimum Terms and Conditions. After the six-year period, the Solicitors Indemnity Fund has traditionally provided cover. Although the closure date has been postponed by a further year, from the end of September 2022 insurance protection will no longer be in place for closed firms beyond the mandated six-year run-off period leaving individuals and law firms exposed. Some individuals will therefore be looking to obtain protection by securing extended run-off cover for greater certainty, but finding an inexpensive solution is a difficult task in a hardened insurance market.
We’re developing a product to make sure protection is available to solicitors when they need it. It will provide run-off cover beyond the mandatory six-year period and will give individuals that additional peace of mind whilst remaining affordable.
Donna Hurst
Senior Development Underwriter at Travelers Europe
As the October renewal season approaches, look for insurers to be approachable for selective new business enquiries and a willingness to accommodate the right risks.
“We’re very much open for business and open to having conversations around specific risks,” Hurst said. “We are a longstanding partner to the legal profession and are keen to work closely with brokers to share experiences and ensure best risk management practices. To encourage that, we continue to have a wide appetite and flexible underwriting approach to enable us to meet the specific requirements of individual firms.”
