SME
Manchester, Liverpool and the buoyant North West are under the spotlight
As we put Covid-19 behind us, Sophie Locke-Cooper discovers brokers in the North West are positive about the prospects of the local market despite worldwide economic challenges such as inflation and UK-wide issues such as recruitment and talent retention.
Allianz to help brokers with underinsurance concerns
Brokers are requesting additional insurer support on valuations of businesses including SMEs according to director of digital trading at Allianz UK, Helen Bryant.
Nearly half of SMEs expect 2023 revenue rise – Premium Credit
New research by Premium Credit revealed that nearly five times more SMEs expect their businesses to grow than shrink in the year ahead.
Cowbell enters UK cyber market targeting SME brokers
US cyber specialist Cowbell has entered the UK market with plans to sell its products exclusively through brokers.
Double-digit growth and profit rises at Iprism after MBO
Iprism Underwriting Agency grew turnover by 15.3% to £9.44m in the year ended 30 June 2022 with profits rising even more.
Analysis: The powerful surge in record-breaking tradesman premiums
Insurance Age unpacks the impact of inflation, changing customer needs and rising demand along with the shifting insurer appetite in tradesman insurance.
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.
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.
Burns & Wilcox looks towards M&As, recruitment and online SMEs to bolster growth
The managing general agent and underwriting business has plans to expand its team, and is open to mergers and acquisitions as a tool for growth during 2023.
FCA opens survey on SME thresholds for FOS insurance complaints
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a review on shifting the thresholds for SMEs to be able to refer complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service, as it revealed there have been 1,835 insurance complaints since the rules came into force on 1…
In depth: Why resilience is key to an holistic risk management solution
While overseeing risk continues to be part of the insurance conversation, Martin Friel discovers there is a greater understanding that protecting a business is less about focusing on particular incidents – and more about its resiliency as a whole.
The stats: The only way is up - Q4’s commercial premiums continue to rise
Businesses are yet again facing more costly cover with the Acturis Commercial Broking Index revealing increases across the board, reports Rachel Gordon.
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.
Opinion: Limited or unreliable information can lead to underinsurance
Brokers need to work with policyholders to push for better quality and more frequent surveys to combat underinsurance, argues Paul Mayer, valuations manager at Sedgwick.
Thin end of the wedge – Could an FCA property commissions crackdown extend to all SME products?
Could the government’s plan to ban insurance commissions being taken by landlords, managing agents and freeholders on buildings insurance be extended to other lines? Saxon East looks at what might happen if this proves to be the start of something more…
Beazley posts 14% GWP growth as profits nearly halve in 2022
Beazley has reported gross written premiums of $5.27bn (£4.4bn) for 2022, up by 14% on the year before.
Clear snaps up IFM Insurance Brokers
Clear Group has acquired Sheffield-based broker IFM Insurance Brokers.
CFC targets start-ups and SMEs with intellectual property policy
CFC has launched a product specifically designed to protect start-ups and small businesses from threats to their intellectual property.
Amb Insurance Services doubles with Mercer Jones & Company buy
Newcastle-under-Lyme-based Amb Insurance Services has snapped up Stoke on Trent-based Mercer Jones & Company taking its gross written premium up to £6m.
In depth: The importance of cyber crime education for both brokers and SMEs
The potential seriousness of cyber attacks and their increasing frequency are big concerns to both brokers and their clients. Martin Friel investigates how important education around this risk can be.
In depth: Are SMEs behind the times with cyber insurance?
Despite the majority of SMEs not holding any cyber insurance, these attacks are increasing. And despite their size, Martin Friel finds that many smaller businesses are more at risk than larger companies.
Meet the MGA: Fusion Specialty UK
As Fusion Specialty UK begins trading, managing partner Josh Cowen and partner Sam Shirley discuss why technology is key to their plans for the SME-focused mergers and acquisitions MGA.
Interview: Warren Dickson, Aston Lark
Aston Lark UK retail managing director Warren Dickson says the broker is a different period of expansion with office openings ahead. Navigating the struggling UK economy is also a challenge, but one he is up for.
Killer of insurance broker jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years
A man who stabbed an insurance broker to death has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years.