Plain English is best

Article Abstract:

Insurance policies are being written in plainer English in the U.S. and Great Britain to facilitate marketing and customer relations efforts. In the U.S., the Life and Health Insurance Policy Language Simplification Model Act was passed to encourage the use of plain English when writing policies. In Great Britain, the 'Plain English Campaign', begun in 1979, culminated in the 1980 publication of "Writing Plain English" by Chrissie Maher and Martin Cutts. Two British insurance firms, General Accident and Phoenix, have printed policies with explanatory plain English commentaries alongside legal contract provisions. A survey of 14 100-person population samples, commissioned by General Accident, indicates that people do not trust shortened insurance policies and prefer to purchase lengthy documents. Subsequent to the survey, General Accident lengthened its policies' explanatory texts. In Britain, the National Consumer Council has published two pamphlets to encourage plain English in contracts, "Plain Words for Consumers" and "Plain English for Lawyers."

INSURANCE CARRIERS, Publishing industry, Methods, United States, Marketing, Insurance industry, Telecommunications systems, Contracts, Insurance policies, Business communication, Great Britain, United Kingdom. National Consumer Council, General Accident Insurance Company of America, Phoenix Assurance PLC

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EEC directive puts onus on producers

Article Abstract:

Following a European Economic Community directive, Great Britain is expected to pass a strict liability law that would hold manufacturers and producers of products liable for all damages caused by the products. Under the proposed law, people who suffer damages would find it easier to recover financial reimbursements from product makers, since they would only have to prove the link between the damage and the product in a court of law. On the other hand, manufacturers of products can escape liability if the risk related to the product could not have been detected by scientific means prior to the product's issuance.

Europe, Laws, regulations and rules, Product liability, European Union, Product safety, Products liability, European Economic Community, Strict liability

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Is your business adequately insured?

Article Abstract:

Failure to adequately insure a business can mean the difference between a firm staying in business and being liquidated in the event of a catastrophe such as a fire. Most of the contingencies that can befall a business are covered under commercial combined insurance policies, although it is important to check the types of protection provided and the amount covered by the policy. Guidelines for determining the proper amount of insurance against property damage and burglary are provided. Less familiar but important forms of insurance, such as life insurance for key members of a firm, are also discussed.

Planning, Insurance, Accounting and auditing, Business insurance

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