United Kingdom (UK)
Motor insurance prices at record high – ABI
The average premium paid for private comprehensive motor insurance in the second quarter of this year was £511, according to the Association of British Insurers, the highest figure since it started collecting the data in 2012.
People Moves: 7 – 11 August 2023
Stay in the loop with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
Allianz commits to investing in local structure to support brokers
“The strength of the Allianz commercial business in the UK is without doubt our local, regional capability in those markets and the ability to deliver,” Allianz Holdings CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.
Profits drop at Allianz Holdings in first half 2023 as GWP tops £2bn
Operating profit fell 5.5% at Allianz Holdings in the first six months of the year to £112.8m as the combined operating ratio deteriorated to 96.6% from 96.0% in the same period of 2022.
Tradex capacity growing to £450m after Pollen Street deal
As part of the Pollen Street Capital acquisition, Tradex’s capacity is growing from around £100m of gross written premium to £450m, Markerstudy group chief underwriting officer Gary Humphreys told Insurance Age.
Brokerbility’s John Dunn on how to counter poor insurer service
Intermediaries do not have to accept poor insurer service and be done with it, argues Brokerbility managing director John Dunn. Strategic partnerships and a better use of data can help improve trading and smoothe the client-broker relationship.
Seventeen snaffles AR Mint
Seventeen Group has bought up Mint Insurance Brokers, which has been an appointed representative of its broking subsidiary James Hallam since 2020, and unveiled two further purchases.
Hiscox grows UK commercial book as retail division COR improves
Hiscox has reported 4% growth in the UK for the first half of 2023.
My Perfect Broker Week: Partners&’s Phil Barton
To tie in with the first ever UK Broker Week we asked our speakers to outline what their perfect working week would look like. Phil Barton, Partners& CEO shares his thoughts.
Interview: Jacqui Kelly, Zurich
Jacqui Kelly was the architect behind Zurich’s new Club Blue proposition that offers a wide range of broker support. Appointed interim sales and distribution director last month, she tells Insurance Age how Zurich’s ‘winning culture’ will sway brokers.
FCA authorisation service improvements continue
The Financial Conduct Authority has improved its authorisations performance in four out of five categories affecting brokers, with none of these service levels now in the red.
Ex-Ardonagh and Gallagher leader Mark Mugge moves from Lucida to Optio
Mark Mugge has left motor specialist broker Lucida Group to be chief financial officer of managing general agent Optio Group.
‘Disappointing’ – brokers react to Zurich personal lines broker exit plans
Brokers have expressed disappointment at Zurich’s plans to exit personal lines motor and home on broker panels.
Markerstudy investor Pollen Street gets PRA approval for Tradex deal
Markerstudy’s owner Pollen Street Capital has completed the delayed purchase of motor trade and taxi specialist insurer Tradex after getting the greenlight from the Prudential Regulation Authority, Insurance Age can reveal.
RSA slips to half-year loss
RSA Insurance Group has reported a £9m post-tax loss for the first half of 2023, slipping into the red after a profit of £192m in the same period last year.
MGA Eaton Gate targets “next stage of growth” with SiriusPoint capacity
MGA group Eaton Gate has announced a new partnership with SiriusPoint, the specialty insurer and reinsurer.
Swindle targets doubling Ardonagh UK commercial MGA in three years
Ardonagh’s UK Commercial MGA CEO Jaime Swindle is targeting doubling the size of the business in the next three years taking it into the region of £500m gross written premium.
Howden’s Dual swoops for bloodstock MGA
Dual has bought David Ashby Underwriting, a specialist bloodstock and high-value sports horse insurance managing general agent.
Aviva expands appetite to boost sustainable building projects
Aviva has expanded its underwriting appetite to include engineered timber in commercial developments following a pilot, which saw it working with a handful of developers on sustainable building projects.
My Perfect Broker Week: MyFirst’s James Noble
To tie in with the first-ever UK Broker Week we asked our speakers to outline what their perfect working week would look like. Here are the responses from James Noble, the CEO and founder of MyFirst.
MGA-backer Bridgehaven secures A- rating from AM Best
Bridgehaven CEO Paul Jewell has hailed the business securing a high level rating from AM Best.
Ardonagh’s UK commercial MGA adds ex-Aviva leader Jackman as sales director
Former director of regional brokers, strategy and propositions at Aviva, Karen Jackman, has joined Ardonagh’s UK commercial MGA as sales director, Insurance Age can reveal.
People Moves: 31 July – 4 August 2023
Keep up to date with the latest personnel moves in insurance.
‘A fairly broad risk appetite’ – Bridgehaven boss eyes MGA capacity deals in the UK
The CEO of fronting start-up Bridgehaven Insurance, Paul Jewell, says his team has the appetite to write a wide range of commercial specialty business for managing general agents in the UK.