Mutual insurer Standard Life has said it will ask the financial regulator to ease solvency rules for the firm after recent heavy stock market falls.
A company spokesman said the move did not mean the insurer had any concerns over its solvency.
"With such uncertainty over stock markets, and with war looming in Iraq, it seems like the prudent thing to do," he said.
Insurers worldwide have been punished by a stock market slump, which has eroded the value of their equities assets and raised concerns over their ability to meet policyholders' claims.