Personal
Six-year low, but 76% of UK properties still underinsured
The percentage of UK buildings underinsured has dropped to 76%, which while a six-year low is still “unacceptably high”, according to specialists.
Alps teams up with Fortega on GAP sales
Fortegra Europe Insurance has partnered with Alps for the distribution of Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance.
Think strikes third buy in three years with Bromwich Insurance Bureau deal
Walsall-headquartered Think Insurance Services has secured its third Midlands-based deal buying Bromwich Insurance Bureau, Insurance Age can reveal.
Axa reveals 106.3% UK COR for 2023
Axa Insurance UK has posted an improved 106.3% combined operating ratio for 2023, trimming it from 109.8% the year before.
Loss adjusters in spotlight as FOS buildings insurance complaints hit 10-year high
The number of buildings insurance complaints filed to the Financial Ombudsman Service hit a record quarterly high of 2001 between April and June.
Motor FOS complaints stable in Q1 as ombudsman’s workload surges
Car and motorcycle insurance complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service rose fractionally to 3,940 in the first quarter of the financial year as the overall workload soared by 70%.
JMG adds to Yorkshire roots with C P Bennet buy
Leeds-headquartered JMG Group has bought Bridlington-based commercial and personal lines insurance broker C P Bennet.
Ageas delivers 49% growth in UK premiums
Ageas boosted UK gross written premiums by 49% in the first half of 2024 to €992m (£835m) citing customer growth and rate increases primarily in motor with “solid underwriting profitability”.
Home quote prices turn downwards – Consumer Intelligence
The average quoted premiums for buildings and contents insurance fell by 1.1% in the three months to the end of July, according to research by Consumer Intelligence.
Specialist Risk Group grows taxi book with latest buy
Specialist Risk Group has acquired the ongoing renewal rights of Morton Insurance Brokers, a specialist in private hire and taxi insurance across the UK since 1987.
Biba and Flood Re team up on BBB regional push
Flood Re has teamed up with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association as part of its plans to develop wider understanding across the broking community about the mechanics and benefits of the Build Back Better scheme.
MCE administration extended for a year
The administrators of MCE Insurance have revealed a 12-month extension to the process which is now set to close in July 2025.
AbbeyAutoline grows apprenticeship programme with new recruitment drive
Northern Ireland based broker AbbeyAutoline has launched a recruitment drive for school leavers and young professionals to join its established apprenticeship programme.
Broker HNW clients less concerned about underinsurance than a year ago
More than a third (35%) of wealthy individuals admit they can’t remember the last time they had their art and collections valued, offering brokers a great opportunity to talk to their high net worth customers.
FCA: brokers struggling to marry remuneration with evidence of fair value assessment
Brokers are still struggling to provide adequate evidence they are appropriately assessing whether their remuneration is consistent with the fair value of the product they are selling.
New product for beach hut and chalet owners launched
Compass, a specialist provider of caravan and leisure insurance, has launched a new policy offering cover for beach huts and beach chalets.
Markerstudy Distribution CEO Donaldson unveils top team
Markerstudy Distribution has confirmed its top team under CEO Ian Donaldson following the completion of the Ardonagh personal lines deal at the end of June.
Aviva UK&I GI boss Storah “bullish” commercial rates to hold steady throughout 2024
Aviva UK and Ireland general insurance CEO Jason Storah is confident that most of the wider commercial sector will continue to hold its nerve over rate and not chase short-term market gains – for now, at least.
Partners& secures new debt facility to help drive growth
Partners& has secured a £20m debt facility with Santander UK to help it continue its organic and acquisitive growth.
30% premium growth sees Aviva UK&I PL arm overtake commercial at HY 2024
Aviva has reported that its UK & Ireland premiums increased 18% to £3,809m in the first six months of 2024 (HY23: £3,219m) with strong growth across all business lines, especially personal.
Broker branches a key focus for Allianz in 2024, CEO Holmes promises
“I want to expand the amount of branches we have where we’re connecting with customers,” Allianz UK CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.