General Insurance Article - Solvency II timeline uncertainty

 Commenting on the uncertainty of the Solvency II implementation timeline, Jim Bichard, insurance partner at PwC, said:

 "UK insurers are keen for the FSA to push ahead with their Solvency II implementation programme, and in particular the model approval process, given the huge investment companies have made in people and tools to date. Many insurers are concerned that an additional year will add unnecessary costs as companies will have to comply with, and produce data and information for, parallel regimes in 2013.

 "While certain elements of a delay would be welcome, nobody wants a loss of momentum as insurers have been working towards Solvency II for many years and are eager to start embedding it into their businesses.

 "Sticking to the original 2013 plan will give UK insurers more time to iron out any issues and be fully compliant by day one. If the timetable slips it will give companies little time to put any issues right before they have to be fully compliant.

 "The sooner insurers are able to transition from planning to implementation, the sooner companies will be able to run their businesses on a Solvency II basis and the more competitive and reputational advantages they will gain.

 "Clearly the uncertainty around implementation date is not ideal, but the main foundations of the directive and their implications are well established and unlikely to change. There is, therefore, no reason why insurers cannot press on with their plans while the timings and technical details are being finalised."