Confidence in insurance sector drops as losses, regulation and soft market bite
The latest ICAEW/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) has revealed that a year of catastrophic losses, on-going soft pricing and regulatory uncertainty has hit confidence in the insurance sector hard.
According to the index, confidence in the insurance, banking and finance sector is at its lowest level since the first quarter of 2010. Since then the BCM Confidence Index for the sector has fallen by two thirds to +12.0.
Peter Allen, head of the financial services group at Grant Thornton, said: “For the insurance industry, 2011 so far has been characterised by a series of expensive catastrophes which have hit profitability – but not sufficiently to create a turn in the pricing cycle.
“Natural
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.insuranceage.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
More on Regulation
With Brewis and Mills gone, what can brokers expect from the FCA in 2026?
Compliance experts are hoping for a slowdown and simplification of rules from the Financial Conduct Authority throughout 2026 following Matt Brewis and Sheldon Mills exit from the regulator. Rosie Simms reports.
What does the 2025 Budget mean for insurance brokers?
On Wednesday afternoon, after weeks of speculation (and an unprecedented early leak by the Office for Budget Responsibility), the Chancellor finally revealed her second Budget. Tom Golding, PKF Littlejohn partner considers some of the main tax changes and what these may mean for insurance brokers.
FOS plans to hike levies to £86m
The Financial Ombudsman Service has opened a consultation on raising its compulsory levy from £70m to £86m in 2026/27 having kept it flat for two years.
FCA insurance skilled person investigations tick up again
The Financial Conduct Authority commissioned two skilled person reports in the insurance sector during the second quarter of 2025/26, following on from one in Q1 and a recent record total in 2024/25.
Sheldon Mills exiting FCA – report
Sheldon Mills, executive director for consumers and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority, is leaving the regulator.
FCA reveals green sweep for broker-related authorisations
The Financial Conduct Authority achieved across the board success in its broker-related authorisation categories between July and September, its first ‘green sweep’ in the data series.
FSCS reveals early forecast of no broker levy in 2026/27
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has indicated brokers will not have to pay a levy in 2026/27 which would keep the rate at zero for the fourth year in a row.
FCA issues warning of Close Brothers clone
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning of fraudsters trying to scam people as a clone of Close Brothers.