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Flood defence commitment welcomed amid calls for more sustained funding
Insurance industry leaders have welcomed the government’s commitment to flood defence investment in the Spending Review; but cautioned more needs to be done to protect UK homes and the economy.
Father and son sentenced for ghost broking scam
A father and son have been sentenced for their roles in a ghost broking scheme, following an investigation led by the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department.
Ghost broker sentenced
A ghost broker has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months with a requirement to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, after selling two fraudulent motor insurance policies to unsuspecting members of the public.
Interview: Emma Rawlinson, CEO of Markerstudy Distribution
After four job titles in just 12 months, Markerstudy Distribution CEO Emma Rawlinson tells Insurance Age about what comes next on brands, growth, acquisitions and more for the multi-billion-pound business as the Atlanta integration proceeds at pace.
Markerstudy Distribution eyeing up consumer lending opportunities
Markerstudy Distribution is investigating the possibility of moving into consumer lending, CEO Emma Rawlinson told Insurance Age.
Home insurance pricing falls speed up
Home insurance premiums saw their most substantial monthly decline of the past year in May, falling by 1.9%, according to Pearson Ham.
ERS appoints new MD
Specialist motor insurer ERS has promoted Martin Hall to the new role of managing director, taking responsibility for the performance of Lloyd’s Syndicate 218.
Consumer trust in insurers hits lowest point since 2021 – Fairer Finance
Public trust in the insurance industry has dropped to its lowest level in four years, according to the latest Trust in Insurance Index from Fairer Finance.
City of London Police leads nationwide crackdown on ghost broking
The City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department has led a nationwide period of action targeting ghost brokers in a coordinated crackdown on insurance fraud.
Premium Credit research shows finance options crucial to over 25% of insurance customers
More than one in four (27%) insurance customers would cut cover or switch to cheaper policies if they were not able to make monthly premium payments, according to research by Premium Credit.
National brokers lead the way on climate guidance with regional firms lagging
Two-thirds of regional and provincial brokers do not provide any climate-related guidance to clients, according to research by Ecclesiastical, while the same amount (65%) of national brokers do so, Insurance Age can reveal.
Personal lines specialist buys bicycle and e-bike insurance brand
Niche Box Group has bought Next Generation Insurance Group – trading as Cycler – to expand into bicycle insurance as a stand alone or embedded into core covers.
Oxbow predicts profitable motor market CORs for 2025 and 2026
Oxbow Partners has forecast a combined operating ratio for the UK motor market of 93% for 2025 and 96% for 2026, which would mark three consecutive years of profit for the sector.
Ageas’ Middle and Beckett on staying strong with broker growth ambitions amid deals
Ageas’ plans are “as strong as ever” when it comes to broker growth and the ongoing deals will not be a distraction, its bosses have promised the sector as they flagged home insurance expansion as a key priority.
Motor MGA faces uncertain future after Accredited does not renew binder
CPD Underwriting Solutions has become one of the latest motor MGAs to face an uncertain future due to the withdrawal of capacity.
Axa bosses Walker and Zweibrucker on growing with brokers in commercial and retail
The commercial and retail divisions of Axa Insurance in the UK are growing, the respective CEOs have confirmed, outlining plans to expand with brokers over the rest of the year and beyond.
Analysis: Is the era of offshore capacity over, or is it poised for a comeback?
High profile casualties such as Gibraltar-based Enterprise Insurance Company (2016), and Danish providers Alpha (2018) and Gefion (2021) meant offshore capacity came under scrutiny at the end of the last decade. Today there appears to be less noise about…
2025 UK Broker Awards open for entries, and it’s simpler than ever to get involved
The 2025 UK Broker Awards are open for entries, with a new process that makes it simpler for firms to put themselves forward to be in with a chance of winning.
Staying one-step ahead in HNW with Aviva’s transformation – Owen
“We are always making sure we want to be one step ahead,” Ann Owen, managing director of Aviva Private Clients, told Insurance Age as the provider refreshed its product suite with the launch of Refine Home.
Q&A: Criterion managing director Helena Evans
Loss-adjusting boss Helena Evans outlines the latest trends her firm is seeing among high-net-worth customers, assesses the continued prevalence of underinsurance, and suggests how brokers can help combat fraud.
Aviva grows UK GWP 11% and trims COR in Q1
Aviva grew UK gross written premiums by 11% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period of last year reaching £1.85bn.
Biba 2025: Allianz to sell pet insurance through brokers
Allianz is planning to enter the broker pet insurance market, Insurance Age can reveal.
CMA launches Aviva/DLG merger inquiry
The Competition and Markets Authority has today announced the launch of a merger inquiry into the Aviva/Direct Line Group deal.
Clear Group snaps up HNW MGA
Shape Underwriting has acquired private client and high-net-worth specialist managing general agent Protect Underwriting.