The International Underwriting Association of London announcedthe launch of a Web site (www.iua.co.uk) with an online database ofdocuments and resources for the primary and reinsurance LondonMarket.

IUA said the site offers additional information on all aspectsof the association's work and creates virtual communities aroundimportant market issues.

The organization said the site will make it easier for membersto stay abreast of market developments and the projects undertakenby individual IUA committees.

Dave Matcham, chief executive of the IUA, commented: “Our aim isto place use of the IUA Web site at the heart of the association'scontact with its members. We hope that developing this resourcewill allow members greatly improved access to information anddocuments provided by the IUA and encourage more individuals toparticipate in the association's activities.”

He added, “One of the key developments will be creation of IUACommunities–online interest groups with content specificallytailored to a particular class of business or business specialty.IUA Communities will enable market professionals to findinformation directly relevant to their own work.”

IUA said each of its community pages contains a briefintroduction to the IUA's work in a specific class of business orarea of re/insurance interest together with the latest news itemsand relevant reference documents published by the association. Pagetopics include compliance, claims, education and training, marineand nonmarine underwriting, market reform and representation.

Other key features of the Web site are:

o An advanced search facility enabling keyword searches of allIUA resources.

o Key issues pages providing brief overviews of the mostimportant ongoing topics occupying the association's attention.

o Full program of IUA market briefings, plus presentation slidesand other background papers from past events.

o Up-to-date listing of all latest IUA member circulars.

o Full details on the IUA as an organization, including history,member lists, board members, committees and governance.

o Archive of all IUA press releases and press articles.

o A publications library of IUA newsletters, statistics, annualreports, etc.

o Permanent home page links to the IUA's Web sites forNon-Marine Reinsurance Clauses, Solvency II and the London MarketLanguage Exchange.

o Comprehensive contact details for members of the IUAsecretariat

o Links to other relevant Web sites.

IUA said certain pages on the site are restricted tomembers-only access. All employees working for IUA Ordinary membercompanies can sign up for full access to all content by completinga brief registration form and choosing a password. This can becompleted online at www.iua.co.uk.

The IUA describes itself as the world's largest representativeorganization for international and wholesale insurance andreinsurance companies, which works to protect and strengthen thebusiness environment for its member companies operating in orthrough London.