United Kingdom (UK)
Vitale Digital becomes Biba associate
Vitale Digital has become the 42nd British Insurance Brokers’ Association associate.
Motor premiums accelerate again with 21.1% annual increase
The average cost of car insurance soared by a record 21.1% in the year to February, taking annual bills to £929, according to Consumer Intelligence.
RSA exits personal lines motor shifting renewals to Swinton
RSA has confirmed pulling out of the UK personal lines motor market, worth £120m in gross written premium, and signing up with Atlanta-owned Swinton on a renewals deal.
Steve Dukes named Confused CEO
Steve Dukes was promoted from chief operating officer to CEO at aggregator Confused, succeeding Louise O’Shea.
AssuredPartners continues south-west push with broker buy
AssuredPartners bought South West Brokers, which trades under the name of Westinsure Plymouth.
Aqueous signs three-year capacity deal with Allianz Insurance
Aqueous Underwriting plans to push on SME business having secured new capacity in an initial three-year deal with Allianz Insurance.
SRIS eyes £250m GWP within two years
Specialist Risk Insurance Solutions grew gross written premium 20% last year and the £130m business is eyeing up £250m by the end of 2024, managing director Oliver Thorne told Insurance Age.
Brokers face ‘fair value’ dilemma on premium finance amid interest rate rises
Brokers are faced with a dilemma as interest rates rise. The Financial Conduct Authority’s demand for them to offer ‘fair value’ products is at the forefront of their minds when they decide how to deal with the customer. Saxon East reports.
RSA posts £65m profit for 2022
RSA has reported a pre-tax profit of £65m for 2022 swinging back from a loss in 2021.
CII trials giving chartered status on experience rather than exams
The Chartered Insurance Institute is trialling whether to give members chartered status based on experience, rather than having to sit an exam.
Zurich boosts Bristol, Southampton and Leeds in regional push
Zurich UK has opened new offices in Bristol and Leeds, as well as adding underwriting expertise in Southampton, expanding its regional network to 10, Insurance Age can reveal.
Aviva confirms start date for David Martin
David Martin will start working at Aviva as managing director of UKGI distribution & SME on 3 April, Insurance Age can reveal.
Premium Credit offering non-recourse solution for partners – Mark Coffey
Premium Credit has a non-recourse borderaux solution that remains available for interested partners, says personal lines and e-trade director Mark Coffey.
Policy Expert focuses on customer retention as top priority
Policy Expert’s COO Adam Powell has stressed that customer retention is its top priority in 2023, as it continues to focus on its organic growth.
More than 70% of brokers have a vacancy amid intense recruitment challenges
Some 71% of brokers are looking to fill a role, with 23% of vacancies open for four months or more, according to the latest research by Aviva.
People Moves: 20 - 24 March 2023
Keep up-to-date with the latest personnel moves in the insurance industry.
Insurers respond to broker meeting challenge and criticism
To coincide with today’s third anniversary of the UK’s first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Insurance Age polled providers to find out how they have sought to re-engage face to face with brokers.
FCA appoints two directors to co-lead enforcement and market oversight
The Financial Conduct Authority has appointed Therese Chambers and Steve Smart as joint executive directors of enforcement and market oversight.
Lloyd’s confirms £2.6bn underwriting profit and targets £56bn GWP in 2023
Lloyd’s has delivered a £2.6bn underwriting profit for 2022, up from £1.7bn the year before.
London market broker completes management buyout
Ballantyne Brokers has completed a management buyout to become 100% owned by staff.
Ardonagh reports adjusted Ebidta growth of 22% to £389m
Ardonagh has increased its income by 30% to $1.5bn (£1.23bn), and adjusted Ebitda by 22% to $476m in its financial results for the 12 months ending 31 December 2022.
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.
Is it MoreThan a rumour? Why RSA could look to dispose of private motor
There is widespread speculation that RSA wants to sell its private motor book. A deal makes sense to free the insurer from its troublesome book.
Castleacre buys private client insurance broker Merritt
Castleacre has bought Merritt Insurance Services for an undisclosed sum.