Brexit
The stats: Hard market remains - but for how much longer?
Property and fleet rates remain stubbornly high as shown by the latest Q4 figures from the Acturis Commercial Lines Index, Rachel Gordon reports.
Opinion: How SME brokers can seize the opportunity of the regulators’ post-Brexit regime
The post-Brexit insurance regime has flushed out the unstable offshore insurers that once passported into the UK through Europe. Some of the hard-to-place risks will have less options, so brokers must now step up and show their worth.
Swiss insurance group gets green light to open UK branch
Helvetia Global Solutions has received confirmation from UK regulators that its authorisation to underwrite non-life insurance business in the UK has been approved and comes into effect on 1 November 2023.
What can MGAs learn from the latest turbulence among capacity providers?
The problems at Accredited and Vesttoo highlight the need for managing general agencies to have good risk management in place on their capacity arrangements.
Could regulators stymie the growth of the fronter market in the UK?
The failure of Vesttoo in the US has only increased scrutiny on fronters in the UK. But as Saxon East discovers the emergence of Bridgehaven and continued growth of the MGAs, mean that they still have a potentially bright future.
With Atlanta sold, what will Ardonagh do with the funds it pockets?
Jonathan Swift looks at Ardonagh’s recent growth, and suspects that a larger percentage of the £820m windfall from the Atlanta sale is going to be spent overseas rather than at home.
Blog: PIB’s Brendan McManus on the future of insurance broking M&A
Fragmentation, low market maturity, employee benefit opportunities and lower pricing make Europe ripe for broking consolidation, according to PIB Group CEO Brendan McManus.
Graeme Trudgill on taking up the reins at Biba
Graeme Trudgill has committed to fighting strongly for brokers and to getting even more access to the Financial Conduct Authority for members as he takes up the role of CEO of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
Broking success: Retaining independence and recruiting fresh talent
Richard Ingleby, managing director of Castlemead Insurance Brokers, highlights the importance of independent intermediaries and the need for more younger employees to infiltrate the sector.
Biba 2023: A period of regulatory and legislative stability tops broker wish list
Attendees at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference in Manchester voted for a period of stability with no regulatory or legislative changes as their top desire in a poll at the event yesterday.
Government launches SMCR review and calls for insurance feedback
The government has launched its review of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, part of a wide-ranging shake-up to make UK financial services more competitive post-Brexit.
Interview: Biba CEO Steve White - Leading from the front
To coincide with the 10th anniversary of his appointment as CEO of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, Insurance Age takes Steve White on a trip down memory lane.
BoE warns of 20% hike in insurer failure risk from Solvency II reforms
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, has warned that proposed Solvency II reforms to loosen capital requirements will increase the risk of life insurer failure by 20%.
Travel insurance provider TIF Group re-enters broker market
Travel Insurance Facilities Group has re-entered the broker market with a new dedicated portal.
News analysis: Solvency II - should brokers be worried about the impact the reforms will have?
The government’s Solvency II overhaul will likely start this year. Politicians want to relax capital requirements to unleash investment and make the UK a more competitive country. Others have concerns about insurer failures, reports Saxon East.
Senior managers’ regulatory reform could heap extra costs on firms
Changes to the Senior Managers and Certification Regime could lead to extra regulatory costs, especially if the government pursues a major shake-up, experts have warned.
Only 14% of smaller SMEs have business continuity plans: Aviva
Aviva has urged brokers to keep having the conversations needed with clients on business continuity plans as the insurer revealed only 28% of firms have one in place.
Why Direct Line's disastrous profit warning should matter to brokers
Direct Line's profit warning sent shockwaves through UK insurer's share price yesterday, with Aviva and Admiral also suffering. Personal lines brokers should notice the problems Direct Line faces, as they are industry-wide and give insight into what to…
The stats: Q3 - Feeling the squeeze as commercial continues to climb
Recent figures for Q3 from Acturis show policyholders remain under intense pressure as premiums rise across all business classes, reports Rachel Gordon
Politicians target reform of Senior Managers and Certification Regime in ‘Brexit dividend’
The government has announced plans to begin a review into reforming the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.
In Depth: On the road again - haulage under the spotlight
Too few drivers, Brexit redtape and more theft have put the haulage sector under immense strain, but specialists say there are some positive signs showing the sector can keep on trucking, facilitated by expert brokers and insurers as Rachel Gordon…