SME
A-Plan sets sights on commercial market
The High Street business, primarily known for personal lines, is targeting to become a top ten commercial broker. Head of the unit, Richard Easterbrook tells Insurance Age about the plans.
“Best result in a decade” for Aviva GI
Focus on simplification, digitisation and broker relationships drives growth for the insurer.
Right Choice buys Moorhouse
The move follows deals to buy Bennetts and the brands Autosaint, Ladybird and First Van.
Video: What the papers say, episode 3
Insurance Age and Applied Systems discuss some of the hottest topics in the broking world at the moment.
Blog: M&A insurance offers brokers growing opportunities in SME
Brokers should consider how many businesses are bought and sold each year as the SME deal insurance space is valued at £1.5bn per year.
In-depth - SMEs: The expectation gap
The pandemic has changed the way many businesses percieve insurance, but, as Sam Barrett reports, brokers are ideally placed to help SMEs get the right covers in place going forward
In-depth - SMEs: All change for small businesses
With retailers turning from physical shops to online sales and the hospitality sector focusing on deliveries and outdoor dining, Sam Barrett looks at how insurance needs have changed in the pandemic
The Blog Spot: An exciting return to local focus
Following reports of a rise in the number of start-up brokers, Ida Axling says it is great to see that the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong in the broking sector.
Towergate launches commercial and property quote and buy scheme
The broker has teamed up with SchemeServe to develop the platform which offers a combined commercial and residential property owners’ scheme.
Urban Jungle targets homeowners with fresh product
CEO Jimmy Williams talks to Insurance Age about the company’s newly launched product and its plans for future expansion.
SMEs increasingly using credit to buy insurance
Research from Premium credit warns that Covid-19 and the increased cost of cover is pushing SMEs to use credit to buy cover as some cut down on insurance spend.
Polaris reports post-lockdown boost in SME insurance volumes
The organisation says the number of policies traded on its imarket solution reached a record high in March 2021, after volumes dropped in 2020 when businesses closed due to the pandemic.
RSA boss Egan commits regional broker focus following Intact takeover
Egan says RSA's turnaround phase is over as he discusses what the sale to Intact will mean for the UK and International business.
Simply Business adds RSA to panel
The broker will offer RSA and More Than products to SME customers.
Pandemic pushes SMEs to rely on credit to fund business insurance
Three out of four SME bosses who use credit to pay for insurance premiums have said that the impact of COVID-19 is the main reason for increased borrowing, Premium Credit finds.
CII New Generation group warns on customer trust as report highlights barriers
The report said the insurance sector could refocus its efforts towards building trust with its customers, particularly SMEs.
Square Pegs expands SME product range
The organisation has also become a standalone underwriting cell within Castel.
LexisNexis launches data solution for SME brokers
According to the provider, the product is designed to help small to medium sized UK brokers price more effectively, cut operational costs and improve the customer journey in personal lines.
CII creates Presidents Forum to assess customer needs
Aon UK's Julie Page will chair the group which has been developed to discuss the changing insurance needs of consumers and SME businesses with the aim of creating guidance and key actions for further development.
Analysis: The rise of pay-as-you-go insurance
As demand for flexible on-demand insurance products is accelerated by Covid-19, Insurance Age investigates what the challenges and opportunities are for brokers.
Allianz offers free legal line for commercial customers
The insurer’s 24/7 telephone service can provide guidance on any business-related legal matter, from employment law to debt recovery and property disputes, as well as advice on Covid-19 related legislation.
Axa branches to move to mid-market focus
Jon Walker explains how the regional network will develop as some offices are set to become specialist call centres.
Vista Insurance Brokers launches North West subsidiary
The fresh division is set to focus on construction, manufacturing, import/export, engineering, and haulage.
Consolidation of the consolidators next step as broker M&A targets reduce
IMAS director John Nisbet discusses how consolidators can continue to grow and warns that private equity backers could move on from the sector as a result of a “diminishing opportunity” in the broking market.