News Analysis
Brokers call for more face-to-face interaction as insurer service improves
Three years on from the UK’s first pandemic lockdown, brokers welcomed the uptick in insurer engagement, but urged providers to do more below C-suite level.
FCA approval times worsen for new firms as overall picture improves
The Financial Conduct Authority’s approval times for new firms is worsening in 2023, according to latest data, bucking a trend that has seen improvements in key broker areas, including for approved person status and appointed representatives.
M&A slips back from 2021 record to £4bn in 2022
Imas has calculated that the value of UK general insurance distribution M&A dropped to £4bn in 2022 from £5.6bn in 2021, Insurance Age can reveal.
First Underwriting exit a broker ‘blow’ in diminishing personal lines markets
First Underwriting’s exit from standard home and motor is a 'blow', say brokers seeking markets for personal lines.
FCA opens survey on SME thresholds for FOS insurance complaints
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a review on shifting the thresholds for SMEs to be able to refer complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service, as it revealed there have been 1,835 insurance complaints since the rules came into force on 1…
First Underwriting exits private car and home
First Underwriting, part of Kingfisher UK Holdings, has stopped writing private car and home business, Insurance Age can reveal.
Broking Success: From banking to insurance
H&H Insurance Brokers managing director Paul Graham speaks to Sophie Locke-Cooper about how he transitioned from banking to broking, and why less regulation along with product evolution makes the sector so rewarding and exciting.
MGAs and insurers are urged to chase brokers as Consumer Duty deadline looms
Insurers and MGAs have until the end of April to ensure they have all the product reviews handed in to comply with Consumer Duty deadlines.
‘Massive blow’ for UK insurtechs averted as key bank is rescued
The Financial Conduct Authority has moved to reassure customers of their rights following the rescue of Silicon Valley Bank.
Meet the MGA: Qlaims
Now its fourth year of trading, Qlaims CEO Liz Latter outlines her mission to make loss recovery insurance a mainstream product and for her MGA to be the “go to” provider for customer facing claims solutions
Rocketing commercial premiums piles pressure on SMEs
Recent figures from Acturis show that commercial insurers are continuing to increase the cost of cover across a range of core sectors.
Open GI sale not a cause for concern, say users
Treasurer of Open GI User Group, Mark Sollis, has told Insurance Age that the potential sale of the software house by its majority shareholder is not a cause for concern.
Hiscox “on the front foot” with brokers, says CEO Aki Hussain
Group CEO of Hiscox, Aki Hussain, has forecast further UK commercial growth, and a return to expansion in personal lines at the insurer in 2023.
BoE warns of 20% hike in insurer failure risk from Solvency II reforms
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, has warned that proposed Solvency II reforms to loosen capital requirements will increase the risk of life insurer failure by 20%.
Thin end of the wedge – Could an FCA property commissions crackdown extend to all SME products?
Could the government’s plan to ban insurance commissions being taken by landlords, managing agents and freeholders on buildings insurance be extended to other lines? Saxon East looks at what might happen if this proves to be the start of something more…
The runners and riders in the Open GI sale
Open GI is reportedly up for sale, with private equity shareholder Montagu wanting to exit. Who are the likely new investors?
Turnover down but profit up at Open GI for 2022
Open GI has posted a fall in revenue for the third year in a row in its results for the year ended 31 May 2022.
Long awaited regulator D&I consultation due in first half of 2023
Financial regulators have set a target of the first half of 2023 to publish the repeatedly delayed consultation paper on improving diversity and inclusion across the financial sector, a year behind the original plan.
Code released to ease crisis in affordable premiums for tower block residents
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association and the Association of British Insurers have released a code for capturing risk information, one of the first steps in solving the crisis in affordable premiums for residents in tower blocks, Insurance Age can…
Polaris’s imarket hits new high with £322m premium in 2022
The number of policies traded on imarket, which connects broker software platforms to insurer systems for the placement of commercial lines, hit a record 497,883 in 2022, Polaris has revealed.
Howden to become broking powerhouse in the North after Reich buy
Reich will add bolt-on acquisitions, becoming the Northern hub for Howden’s expansion into the region, according to Aston Lark CEO Peter Blanc.
Bravo unveils ‘biggest transformation’ in broker network trading for two decades
Bravo has hailed its latest launch as “the biggest transformation” to how broker networks add value for members in the past 20 years.
Howden buys Reich
Howden has bought Reich Group for an undisclosed sum, Insurance Age can reveal.
Profits and turnover up at Reich in 2022
Reich Insurance Brokers increased revenue organically by 10.4% to £14.68m in the year to 31 March 2022.