Home insurance
Biba makes manifesto commitments on tackling evolving risk of flood
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has made specific commitments on the “significant and growing risk” for both personal and commercial customers from flooding, as it unveiled its 2025 manifesto.
Ageas and Saga seal £207m partnership and Acromas deals
Ageas and over-50s specialist Saga have signed on the dotted line agreeing a 20-year partnership for motor and home insurance and the sale of Saga’s underwriting business, Acromas.
FOS forecasts levy freeze at £70m
The Financial Ombudsman Service is planning to maintain its levy for 2025/26 at the £70m total set this financial year.
Pen signs up to Flood Re’s Build Back Better
Pen Undewriting has signed up to Flood Re’s Build Back Better with all eligible new and renewing home policies automatically including the benefits of the scheme from 1 January 2025.
Analysts point to 265p per share to sweeten Aviva-DLG deal
Experts from Peel Hunt have labelled Aviva’s 250p per share approach for Direct Line as a “reasonable offer” adding there is “scope to sweeten the bid to 260-265p”.
Car and motorcycle insurance complaints stick in FOS top five
The number of car and motorcycle insurance complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service in the second quarter of 2024/25 dropped compared to the same period a year ago however the sector has remained in the top five.
Covéa promises brokers faster access with CDL home insurance tie-up
Covéa Insurance has promised brokers faster access to products and effective pricing as it launched its home insurance business on CDL’s Insurer Hosted Pricing hub, Insurance Age can reveal.
EY revises insurer income growth forecasts but trend remains down
EY has released improved premium income forecasts for UK non-life insurers but maintained its view of slowing growth in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
DLG to cut 550 jobs as it targets £100m of savings
Direct Line Group has started consultations with staff as part of a proposed reduction of about 550 roles, it announced today.
Hood moves household book from RSA to Bspoke
Bspoke Group has teamed up with Hood Group to underwrite the Top 100 Broker and affinity insurance provider’s household portfolio.
Top 100 broker Hood Group completes PE-backed MBO
Southend-based Hood Group has completed a £10.7m management buyout with the support of Connection Capital, the private equity and alternative investment platform.
Policy Expert owner Qmetric swings back to operating profit
Qmetric, which trades as personal lines specialist Policy Expert, returned to operating profit and pushed Ebitda into the black last financial year with turnover and customer numbers rising.
Interview: Hiscox UK COO Cath Frost on delivering operational excellence for brokers
Having joined Hiscox this April UK COO Cath Frost has already seen operational improvements but there is more to come from the insurer she promises brokers.
Premium finance charges as high as 37% but dropping overall – report
Pearson Ham has found average premium finance costs for motor and home insurance fell over the last year but also revealed charges as high as 36.8%.
Home insurance stays in the red at 118% NCR with more losses to come – EY
The UK home insurance industry delivered a loss-making net combined ratio of 118% in 2023, worse than predicted with more red ink to follow in 2024, according to EY.
Across the board uplifts at Avantia
Avantia Insurance delivered double digit increases in turnover and post-tax profits in 2023, repeating the achievements of previous years.
FCA launches review into premium finance “fair value” and barriers to competition
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a review, known as a competition market study, to see whether people who borrow to pay for motor and home insurance are receiving fair, competitive deals.
Ageas and Saga in £207.5m deal talks
Ageas has entered exclusive negotiations with Saga on a 20-year affinity partnership and buying Acromas in a package worth up to £207.5m.
Allianz promotes to bolster personal lines broker team
The Allianz personal lines broker business has strengthened its leadership team and promoted Victoria Price to director of broker propositions.
Esure owner Bain eyeing up sale – report
Esure is possibly up for sale, as private equity firm Bain Capital has lined up advisors, according to Reuters.
Markerstudy-bound Hughes posts stable turnover and profit for 2023
Northern Ireland-based broker Hughes, currently in a sales process to Markerstudy Group, maintained post-tax profit at £2m in 2023 with turnover consistent of more than £13m.