Motor
Is the MGA motor market braced for casualties amid a perfect storm?
Motor MGAs are suffering as they battle high claims inflation and tougher reinsurance conditions. With more players expected to exit standard motor, Saxon East asks if there is any way the market can navigate this tough terrain?
Markerstudy chief outlines challenges over salary expectations and broker telematics
Mike Wall, Markerstudy head of non-standard, described the challenges facing its telematics brand Smart Driver Club Insurance in a very competitive market.
Ardonagh Advisory announces first new deal of 2023 with Pace Ward buy
Ardonagh Advisory has announced its first new deal of the year with the purchase of Stoke-on-Trent based broker Pace Ward and revealed it has an “impressive pipeline of M&A”.
Saga reports stable broking results as it pushes on with Acromas sale
Saga is targeting the sale of its underwriting business, Acromas Insurance, in the second half of this year – but arranged a loan in case a deal does not go through.
JMG establishes new division after second motor deal in a month
Specialist HGV and motor trade insurance broker New Era has made its first acquisition within weeks of becoming part of the JMG Group.
What does the More Than deal mean for the future of Ardonagh and RSA?
RSA and Ardonagh have their own distinct futures ahead. Ardonagh is a private equity-backed broker growing via consolidation, and RSA is intent on sharpening focus on its commercial broking relationships. The two have struck a deal on More Than's motor…
Swinton insurer panel ‘very excited’ to work with More Than motor customers – Ian Donaldson
Ardonagh Retail’s insurer panel is ‘very excited’ about working with More Than private motor customers on renewals, according to CEO Ian Donaldson.
Esure posts £29.1m loss as tough market conditions bite
Esure chief executive David McMillan explained the swing from a £7.7m post-tax profit in 2021 to a £29.1m loss in 2022 as being caused by significant claims inflation, increased weather-related home claims and a weak pricing environment.
Zurich UK detects 31% increase in fraudulent property claims
Zurich UK detected a 31% increase in fraudulent property claims and a 7% rise in fake casualty claims in 2022, the insurer calculated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hagerty launches private client service
Hagerty, a car insurance provider, has launched its private client service, which can be sold through brokers who have customers with a vehicle, or vehicles, worth £250,000 or more.
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.
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.
One Call tribute to ‘incredible talent’ director Oliver Rose, who died in a car crash
One Call CEO Nik Springthorpe has given a touching tribute to director Oliver Rose, who died in a car crash.
Close Brothers premium finance drops 2%
Close Brothers has revealed a 2% fall in its premium finance book to £990.1m in its latest set of results.
Profits down two-thirds at Sabre in 2022
Sabre Insurance has reported a 66.5% drop in profit after tax to £10.1m for 2022, as the combined operating ratio deteriorated to 96% from 79.4% in 2021.
People on low incomes are giving up insurance due to ‘poverty premium’
More than half of people in poverty are finding it difficult to pay for their insurance, leading some to give up insurance as they prioritise food and energy bills, according to research by Social Market Foundation.
Commercial grows at Direct Line as group falls to £45m loss
Direct Line grew commercial business across NIG and its own direct brands by 14.7% in 2022 to £749.3m of gross written premium.
Aviva’s Winslow insists ‘we can do more’ to return broker service to pre-2019 levels
With rates continuing to rise, Adam Winslow, CEO of Aviva UK & Ireland general insurance has stressed that it can do more when helping brokers through the challenging market.