Property
The stats: Q1 2025 sees commercial rates flattening, as experts predict market softening
Property owners and fleet premiums continue to rise but at a slower pace, while combined liability rates dip into negative figures in Q1 2025, according to the Acturis Commercial Broking Index. Ida Axling reports.
Downey on getting Pen to £1.75bn by 2030
Having hit its goal of £1bn gross written premium a year early in 2024, Pen Underwriting has set its sights on £1.75bn by 2030. CEO Tom Downey tells Insurance Age about the strategy of organic growth, product development and acquisitions now in place to…
Meet the MGA: Shape Underwriting
Mandy Hunt, managing director of Shape Underwriting, explains the logic behind rebranding the Clear MGA business; outlines its holistic approach to acquisitions; and pinpoints the importance of recruiting staff who understand collaboration, integrity…
Newbie News: CastleBridge Risk Solutions
CastleBridge Risk Solutions founders, Tim Grant and James Dunsby, tell Insurance Age how the business will focus on service, the importance of relationships, and all about its partnership with Cornerstone Finance Group and Imperial Chartered.
Interview: Duncan Pritchard, CEO of Commercial Express
Last year Commercial Express garnered extensive attention from the broker community with its slew of eye-catching product launches, CEO Duncan Pritchard tells Insurance Age about the growth of the business and what is coming next.
Commercial Express to add Axa and Carbon capacity as it unveils MGU plan
Managing general agent Commercial Express has signed capacity deals with Axa and Carbon Underwriting, Insurance Age can reveal, as it progresses to become a managing general underwriter and targets doubling in size.
Biba 2025 Countdown: LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ Tony Pinch
Tony Pinch, head of sales, broker and MGA, UK and Ireland at LexisNexis Risk Solutions suggests a New Era of broking will feature more data enrichment; passes down some tips from his 15 years experience attending the event; and recommends delegates might…
Interview: Bob Pybus, CEO of AUB UK Retail
Having been named CEO of AUB UK Retail last September, Bob Pybus reflects on his route to the role, tells Insurance Age about the deals struck so far and shares his plans to grow to a £1bn business.
Quarterly weather related claims top £200m for first time – ABI
The Association of British Insurers has found claims for weather-related damage to people’s homes and possessions has hit £226m for the first time ever between January and April.
UK commercial rates falling faster – Marsh
The pace of UK commercial insurance rates dropping quickened in the first quarter of the year, outstripping the global fall.
MGA Ventis targets number one real estate spot with brokers following Acturis deal
Managing general agent Ventis is launching into e-trade with Acturis, claiming it would be plugging a gap in an underserved market segment.
Drone MGA Moonrock expands Apollo relationship with $122.5m facility
Managing general agent Moonrock has launched a $122.5m (£91.6m) drone, eVTOL and aviation innovation insurance facility led by capacity from Apollo.
Axa warns brokers on criminal gangs targeting vacant commercial properties
Axa UK has urged brokers to make sure customers are vigilant about criminal gangs targeting empty commercial properties as the insurer has seen a steep rise in the problem in recent months.
Ceta posts turnover and profit growth in run-up to sale
Digital niche personal lines and SME broker Ceta Insurance grew turnover by 23% in the year parent Atec Group was bought by European private equity investor Perwyn.
Ex-Acromas CEO among senior Pikl hires
Pikl, the vacation rental specialist, has recruited former Acromas Insurance CEO Steve McGuinness as its chief operating officer and Canopius veteran James Everett as its chief underwriting officer.
News analysis: To what extent have brokers bought into Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme?
Flood specialists warn of a persistent knowledge gap among general brokers, but highlight that more providers need to make the Build Back Better scheme available. Ida Axling reports.
Blog: Sums insured - the greener way, one cuppa at a time
Site visits remain an integral part of the fabric of property insurance. But remote reviews of buildings sums insured are also effective and with surprisingly positive environmental results, argues RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com’s Amy Lillington.
Clear buys London-based broker
Clear Group has added London-based broker Moore Robinson to its UK retail arm.
Aviva reports 18% increase in ghost broking frauds in 2024
Aviva detected an 18% increase in ghost-brokered policies and linked an additional 8,600 cases to open investigations into known ghost broking cases in 2024.
Flood Re boosts education drive with academy launch
Flood Re has launched a dedicated online e-learning platform providing free training on the Flood Re scheme and the Build Back Better initiative.
Gallagher grows real estate practice with broker buy
Gallagher has purchased commercial insurance broker Bicroft Insurance Services, expanding the broking giant’s real estate practice.