Insurance Post – Big Interview – Helen Meredith
February 2025
Helen Meredith, Managing Director, shares why she isn’t afraid of the ticking demographic timebomb scaring most loss adjusting firms and how the financial lines specialists intend to increase the amount of cyber and political risk business they do.
Understanding Political Risk Insurance as a tool to encourage and protect investments: Argentina and UK perspective
February 2025
Sol Argerich dual qualified lawyer – Claims Counsel at Convex; Co-Author (UK perspective and analysis): Joana Ball chartered accountant Associate Director at ASL International
D&O Claim affecting Joint Stock Company in Saudi Arabia
January 2025
The Directors of the policyholder were each fined SAR 70,000 by the Capital Market Authority (“CMA”) for their failure to file the company’s annual financial resultsThe Directors of the policyholder were each fined SAR 70,000 by the Capital Market Authority (“CMA”) for their failure to file the company’s annual financial results and hold an ordinary general assembly meeting within six months of the end of financial year.
Ransomware Attack at a US Community Hospital
March 2024
The claim was for loss of income and costs.
Middle East Bank – Trade Finance Loan Fraud by a Corporate Customer
January 2024
A major Middle East bank reported a complex fraud relating to eight loans advanced under a trade finance facility to a corporate customer in Singapore. We verified the Insured’s loss in excess of USD 18.5 million.
Commodity trading fraud – an increasing problem
November 2023
Thomas Morley explores the evolving threat of commodity trading fraud worldwide, with reference to our recent claims experience.
Ransomware Attack Affecting Private Schools in Singapore
November 2023
For this claim, we were instructed by insurers to gather information and documentation in relation to the costs incurred by the insured group of schools.
Bank Refund Fraud – a New Trend
August 2023
Bank fraud is always evolving, and our experts are in a unique position to spot emerging trends in bank fraud. Marcus Newman identifies a new development and explores how banks could prevent these frauds.
Customer issues Court Proceedings against Bank after Personal Assistant spent USD 3.75 million on Credit Card
August 2023
The Insured, a Middle Eastern bank, reported a potential exposure of c.USD 5 million after unauthorised transactions were made using a high-net-worth customer’s credit card.
ASL welcomes two more Chartered Accountants
July 2023
We are delighted to add two more talented and exceptionally well qualified accountants to our multi-disciplinary team.
DDoS Attack on an e-Commerce Platform
May 2023
This Distributed Denial of Service “DDos” attack affected the eCommerce platform of a retailer of horticultural and garden products.
Risky Business our latest podcast, available now
March 2023
Listen to our latest podcast ‘Risky Business’. Now available on your chosen podcast platform.
On International Women’s Day
March 2023
ASL are celebrating International Women’s Day by supporting three intrepid women in “the world’s toughest row”!
Customer claim against UAE Bank arising from a lost cheque
January 2023
A customer of a bank in the UAE deposited a cheque for SAR 1,000,000 drawn on a bank in Saudi Arabia.
How to Spot Pinocchio … 5 Top Tips to Help Companies Avoid Social Engineering Fraud
December 2022
Our crime lead, Ruth Willmington, advises on the top 5 red flags that insurers should be warning their clients about.
Welcome back!
September 2022
We are thrilled to welcome back three very experienced expert adjusters from maternity leave. Jo Raby, Sandy Kapoor and Claudia Houlihan are all returning to ASL over the course of this month.
Fraud at a Lebanese Joint Venture
August 2022
A multinational courier firm. Local laws regarding business ownership meant the Lebanese operation was a joint venture.
Organised Fraud – Where does the money go?
July 2022
Ruth Willmington, our Crime lead, shares her insights on where the money goes and whether it is worthwhile pursuing individuals and recoveries
Marine cyber threats fast evolving
May 2022
Rob Lloyd reflects on the cyber risks affecting the maritime sector.
What will the impact be of the anticipated implosion of the Russian banking sector?
May 2022
Helen Meredith reflects on her experience of adjusting Russian banking claims and considers the challenges ahead.
LMA FI/PI Claims Committee Symposium – 5th May
April 2022
Our Cyber lead and FI Director, Rob Lloyd is looking forward to speaking at this exciting event - please join us!
Doing Something to Help
March 2022
If you are looking for a way to support Ukrainians, please consider joining ASL in donating to this excellent initiative
Employee Theft of Client Funds – UK Professional Services Practice
March 2022
The Insured's employee stole funds from two bank accounts containing the firm's clients funds.
Sustainability, ASL and the Market
March 2022
Jo Ball discusses how the impetus to counteract climate change is a win:win for the planet, insureds and of course insurers.
ASL is carbon neutral!
January 2022
We are proud to announce that we are starting the year with a literally clean slate, and in partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain, we have attained carbon neutral status.
Dishonesty of Employee and SIM Swap Fraud – Bank in the United Arab Emirates
January 2022
The insured are a large bank in the United Arab Emirates. As much as USD 1.5million was stolen from customer accounts.
UK literary agent hit by ransomware attack
September 2021
The insured, a UK based literary agent, were hit by a ransomware attack in the days following the initial Covid-19 lockdown. As with many SMEs, the insured were still trying to navigate the challenges of working from home, and this made the attack particularly disruptive.
Where does BBB Computer Crime cover end and standalone Cyber cover start for Financial Institutions?
September 2021
Kunal Benodekar considers the impact of increased cyber crime on BBB and cyber cover.
5 Steps to Maximise Recoveries
August 2021
Georgina Fenton describes the 5 points that will put you in the best position to recover the greatest sums
Personal loan and credit card frauds – a Dubai Office perspective
June 2021
Alison Horne writes about the trends we are seeing at ASL’s Dubai Office relating to personal loan and credit card frauds in the Middle East and highlights some relevant policy considerations
Impropriety by GM – Colombian Subsidiary of Healthcare Provider
May 2021
A European-owned multinational with offices worldwide. The General Manager had founded the business himself and had sold out to the multinational.
Will there be a sharp rise in the discovery of crime losses following the pandemic?
April 2021
Hetle Soni comments on a BBC News article relating to an employee accused of skipping work for 15 years.
ASL supports Healing Venezuela charity
April 2021
ASL are delighted to have been able to support Healing Venezuela in their first virtual Rum Experience held last month.
How will the pandemic affect emerging markets?
March 2021
Helen Meredith comments on an article in Insurance Day on insurer reserves and the spectre of emerging market debt default
What has prompted an upturn in investment management claims?
March 2021
Insurance claims made by investment managers and administrators post-pandemic and referred to us at ASL are increasing.
We comment on International Women’s Day
March 2021
The gender diversity statistics for our industry are still behind the curve; however, the article concludes that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I think that’s right.
Robert Lloyd talks to Brian Alexander, Group Practice Leader for GrECo Services
March 2021
Brian Alexander, Group Practice Leader Financial Institutions, talks with Robert Lloyd, Director at ASL about trends in Crime & Cyber claims, the effects of Covid-19 on claims and the neutral and objective position of the loss adjuster.
Will fraud be bigger than Covid-19 for trade credit?
February 2021
In our last newsletter we commented that we had seen an increase in claims resulting from fraud – particularly involving commodity traders. According to the GTR, this was also the topic which most concerned trade credit professionals in 2020.
Interview with our new Managing Director
February 2021
Helen Meredith has stepped up as Managing Director of ASL. In this interview she is asked about her thoughts on this new position
Social Engineering – Recent Trends
February 2021
Frauds involving social engineering are continuing to result in substantial losses. This short article sets out some recent trends we have seen at ASL.
ASL announces Helen Meredith as new Managing Director
February 2021
A law graduate and chartered accountant, Helen joined ASL in 2002 and has been a board director for the last 14 years. Helen takes over from Michael Walter, who has stepped down to a consultancy role.
ASL announces Michael Walter’s retirement as Managing Director
February 2021
It’s certainly well deserved, after more than 30 years with ASL and nearly 24 years as Managing Director.
Dishonesty of Employee – Hong Kong Branch of a Management Agency
January 2021
A US-owned agency with offices worldwide. The Hong Kong branch was previously independent and had been sold to the international agency in the 2000s.
Have insurers turned a crisis into an opportunity?
January 2021
Key participants in the credit and political risk market have been telling us that they are not seeing the anticipated tsunami of claims as a result of Covid-19.
Claim Trends From Our Dubai Office
October 2020
More evidence of claims relating to credit, cybercrime and PI across the Middle East and Africa, as well as the Far East
SME Update – Cybercrime and Business Interruption
September 2020
It’s been a busy few months for the cyber team here at ASL. Why? Largely because of an increasing number of cybercrime and business interruption claims notified by SMEs, especially in the UK.
Potential impact of Covid-19 on Bankers’ Blanket Bond & Commercial Crime Policies
May 2020
Clients have asked us about the potential impact of Covid-19 on Bankers’ Blanket Bond and Commercial Crime policies. Here are our thoughts on some of the factors that could lead to increased criminal activity.
Adjusting to Covid19 – Loss Adjusting at ASL During and After the Pandemic
May 2020
In the 12 months prior to the pandemic our team travelled to over 40 countries to adjust claims; we explain how our work has changed now that we are all confined to home.
