News Analysis
Brokers pledge to stop sharing building commissions and cap fees
Five top 100 UK broking groups have pledged to end sharing building insurance commissions with landlords and to cap fees. However, many others have not signed up including Gallagher UK who has refused to back the pledge in its existing version over…
Applied Net 23: Priority number one has been, is, and will be commercial – says Europe CEO Tom Needs
Achieving parity with competitors on commercial panel size, and boosting the Epic broker base to 150 in the UK, are the twin targets for Applied Systems Europe in 2024, CEO Tom Needs has confirmed.
Telematic providers becoming less competitive as capacity drops
A new report has found telematic insurance providers are becoming less competitive, accounting for just 17% of the top five motor quotes between May and August 2023. This compares with 21% the previous quarter, which particularly effects young drivers.
Applied Net 23: Power shifting to brokers, says Applied boss Taylor Rhodes
Applied Systems is picking up the pace, with brokers in the UK having grabbed more market share this year, according to CEO Taylor Rhodes.
Applied Net 23: AI to help brokers suffering from a ‘barrage’ of information requests
Applied Systems is launching first use cases of artificial intelligence on two platforms in the US on 24 October, chief product officer Anupam Gupta told Insurance Age at Applied Net 23.
RSA’s service vow to brokers one year on: Has it delivered?
In 2022, RSA published its strategic roadmap to 2025. The insurer vowed to raise service standards for brokers. Has it delivered?
Abbey boosts profits by 15% in 2022
Abbey Insurance Brokers, which trades as AbbeyAutoline, grew post-tax profit by 15.2% to £2.6m in 2022, with turnover also rising.
FCA data reveals spike in insurance skilled persons reports
The Financial Conduct Authority has revealed commissioning seven skilled person reports across the general insurance and protection sector between July and September.
Prosura makes first broker buy
Wakefield-based Prosura has struck its first deal, buying First Stop Insurance Brokers in Sheffield, Insurance Age can reveal.
Double digit profit rise at Kelliher in 2022 as turnover ticks up
Kelliher Insurance Group boosted post-tax profit by 11.5% in 2022 to £868,137.
Broker Expo 2023: Value of cyber insurance is the panel – says PIB security chief
The top value in cyber insurance is the panel on offer to clients, ahead of even the payout they might receive, according to PIB group information security officer Jason Ozin.
Broker Expo 2023: Data “armistice” to lead to greater info sharing and better decisions
Sharing data across the industry will help insurers and brokers make more informed decisions for their customers, according to panellists at Broker Expo yesterday.
Optimism among brokers as Birmingham diversifies from manufacturing into booming new industries
The insurance sector in Birmingham is full of activity and has a bright future, according to experts who work in the area, as Ida Axling discovers.
Has the FCA’s new appointed representatives regime agenda hurt the sector?
The Financial Conduct Authority’s new regime for appointed representatives came into force in December last year. It puts a fresh burden on those working in the AR sector. What has the impact been?
Patons expands into professional drivers market
Taxi specialist Patons Insurance has enlarged its portfolio, adding professional drivers to the roster as it looks to grow nearly 50% in the next three years.
FCA not banning commission for brokers, says Sheldon Mills
The Financial Conduct Authority is not looking to ban or set commission levels, but brokers have more work to do in valuing their services, according to executive director of consumers and competition Sheldon Mills.
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.
Premfina ‘on track to disrupt’ premium finance market amid staff doubling
Premfina is ‘on track to distrupt’ the premium finance market after investment flowed into the insurtech, according to sales and marketing director Paul Trail.
Complete Cover trims losses as turnover and headcount more than halve in 2022
Complete Cover Group has confirmed cutting its headcount to 91 last year, down from 281 in 2021.
Ten Insurance swings back to profit in 2022 before Acrisure sale
Appointed representatives network Ten Insurance Services swung back to a post-tax profit of £305,789 in 2022, reversing a loss of £101,425 in 2021.
Rebranded GRP reveals loss and deal spend for takeover year
Global Risk Partners, now known as Brown & Brown Europe, spent £150m on 18 deals in the past nine months of 2022 as the sale of the consolidator completed, according to a filing at Companies House.
‘Extremely disappointed’ Alec Finch to appeal judge’s fraud verdict and damages
Alec Finch said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ and would appeal the judge’s verdict that favoured Toby Esser and his team, who claimed fraud took place when they were sold the AFL broker.
FCA flags PI concern in AR update
The Financial Conduct Authority has highlighted the need for principal firms to have compliant professional indemnity insurance to cover the activities of current and former appointed representatives.
One Call boosts policy count and profits in 2022
Doncaster-headquartered One Call Insurance Services has posted double digit increases in profits and policy count for 2022.