United Kingdom (UK)
Zurich UK trims COR again and profits rise further in 2025
Zurich UK achieved a combined operating ratio of sub 90% for property and casualty business with profits rising 21% in 2025 while premiums stayed stable.
Close Brothers reverses premium finance commission disclosure requirement
Close Brothers Premium Finance has u-turned by cutting the need for brokers to get customers’ explicit consent to commission arrangements.
SRG broker to wholesale pothole damage cover
Strategic Insurance Services has launched a vehicle insurance product designed to cover damage caused by potholes, making it available to brokers on a wholesale basis for private motor and commercial fleet clients.
Neil Jenkinson to leave Biba after 10 years
Neil Jenkinson is set to leave his role of regional manager for the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association at the end of February.
Asset management giant Barings commits up to $180m for new MGA-backing insurer
Barings has committed up to $180m (£132.7m) for the launch of Pinion Insurance which will offer capacity to managing general agents in the UK, US and Europe.
Property insurance payouts hit record £6.1bn in 2025 – ABI
Insurers paid out £6.1bn in property claims in 2025, the highest annual total on record, according to the Association of British Insurers.
England cricket captain Ben Stokes to close Biba conference
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has revealed cricketer Ben Stokes, captain of the England men’s Test team, will be closing its annual conference, as Kay Burley is set to host the two-day event along with Davina McCall also taking to the stage.
Five arrested including ex-Met officer as police hit spoof motor insurance apps network
Five people, including a former Metropolitan Police officer, have been arrested across London today in a crackdown on a network selling spoof vehicle insurance ‘apps’.
Aviva takes Myles from Gallagher as branch manager in expanded South East role
Aviva has swooped for Kerry Myles from Gallagher as branch manager for the South East, starting in the role on 16 March.
Hiscox launches technology graduate programme
Hiscox has launched a technology graduate programme to attract and develop the next generation of tech talent.
MGAA relaunches enhanced core training for members
The Managing General Agents’ Association has relaunched an enhanced core content programme of learning and insights.
Deadline extended for Zurich’s Beazley bid
Zurich has been granted more time to make its formal £8bn bid for Beazley with the deadline pushed back to 5pm on 4 March.
Flock CEO Klinger outlines broker growth plan after Admiral deal
Flock CEO Ed Leon Klinger has outlined that it is keen to grow its broker base following its acquisition by the Admiral Group.
Bravo targets reseeding the industry and adds insurers to digital trader
Bravo Networks is set to add two insurers to its digital trader platform by then end of the month and has highlighted there is a gap in the market to reseed the industry to make “independent regional brokering thrive”.
MGA launches pharmaceutical recall cover
BluNiche, the specialist product recall managing general agent, has expanded its portfolio to provide dedicated coverage for the pharmaceutical sector.
Top 100 UK broker sees emails drop by 22% following WhatsApp integration
Insurance Revolution, part of Well Dunn Group, has seen service emails drop by 22% after it partnered with CM.com to integrate WhatsApp into its customer communication processes in a “game-changing” move.
Intact UK&I COR ticks up in 2025
Intact UK & International has posted a 94.8% combined operating ratio for 2025, deteriorating from 92.8% the year before.
Covéa UK appoints Domart as CEO five months after naming Laurent in role
Philippe Domart has been appointed CEO of Covéa Insurance UK to take up the role on 1 April, in an abrupt about turn at the insurer.
Commercial Express’ Pritchard on opportunities with brokers in MGU model move
Managing director of Commercial Express, Duncan Pritchard, shares its broker agency, digital platform and product expansion plans as the business moves to a managing general underwriter model after teaming up with Fortegra.
Motor claims hit £11.9bn in 2025
Motor insurers paid out £11.9bn in claims last year, according to data from the Association of British Insurers.
Markel-backed niche MGA launches apprenticeship scheme
Purbeck Insurance Services has launched a new apprenticeship scheme coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week.
Exam and qualifications numbers up at CII
The Chartered Insurance Institute has reported an increase in exam sittings and qualifications completed for both general insurance and financial services in 2025.
Brokers have mixed reaction on Zurich/Beazley deal
Insurance brokers have given a mixed response to the potential Zurich/Beazley deal highlighting the acquisition would create a “strong proposition” and could create opportunities but noted another competitor leaving the market as a medium-term worry.
Grove & Dean doubles down on digital after turnover and profits slip
Motor experts Grove & Dean saw turnover shrink by 9.3% and post-tax profit fall 39.7% in the year ended 31 May 2025, but is seeing signs of improvement and momentum in the current year according to managing director Damian Collett.