FEATURES Commission flex – what does it mean for brokers and their customers?
Writer: Saxon East Contact details: sax@saxoneastmedia.com
Deadline: 20 March, 2025 Word count: 1,500 Earlier this month Insurance Age revealed that Aviva had written to brokers that use its own e-trading platform Fast Trade - as well as Acturis E-Trade - telling them they could set their own commission rates within set parameters. The insurer gave brokers commission flex that allows them to choose how much to charge clients between 0 and 35%, whilst insisting it has controls in place to make sure customers interests are protected. A spokesperson noted the use of net rate files and commission flex is prevalent across many products and insurers, and it created a fairer and more competitive landscape for all brokers, enabling them to trade more effectively. In this feature Insurance Age will explore how widely used net rates and commission flex is; where it is used; and what the pros and cons – where appropriate – might be for brokers and their clients. Not least we will assess what controls might be needed to make sure insurance customer interested are protected and brokers are remunerated fairly for their work and expertise. Biba 2025 Preview Questions
Writer: Jonathan Swift Contact Details: Jonathan.swift@infopro-digital.com
Deadline: 11 April, 2025 Ahead of the 2025 British Insurance Brokers’ Association Conference we are asking attendees and exhibitors to send it their responses to as many of the questions below as possible, along with a colour photo of the person to which the answers will be attributed. The tagline for the 2025 BIBA conference is ‘New Era’; in your view what does the ‘New Era’ of insurance broking look like?
If you have a stand at the conference, can you give readers a preview of what they can expect from it? Do you have plans for the evening/s at BIBA 2025 - if so what are they? What are three most essential items you always pack for a BIBA Conference and why? If you have any local knowledge, if there a special place within walking distance of the conference centre [bar, restaurant, coffee shop, cultural space etc…] you would recommend BIBA attendees visit and why? The closing keynote at BIBA 2025 [“Back of the Net: Leadership That Scores Big”] comes from Sir Gareth Southgate. Who from the world of insurance do you think would make a good football manager and why? You might have heard that the famous Mancunian band Oasis are getting back together in 2025; which one of their songs do you think best encapsulates the BIBA experience and why? When you wake up on the Friday morning after the event, what factors will determine whether you have had a successful BIBA 2025 or not? What role do brokers have to play in the push for greater renewable energy consumption across the UK?
Writer: Rosie Simms Contact Details: rosie.simms@infopro-digital.com
Deadline: 23 April, 2025 The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently predicted that in 2025, more than a third of the world’s electricity will come from renewables. In the longer term, it forecasts that over 90% of the electricity capacity added globally by 2028 will come from renewable sources. It noted that solar energy is set to dominate in 2025 becoming the main source of energy in several countries; and that solar capacity is expected to double by 2026. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/0f028d5f-26b1-47ca-ad2a-5ca3103d070a/Electricity2025.pdf In the UK the Labour government has outlined a goal of ‘clean power’ by 2030 and has sought to facilitate this by permitting 2 GW of solar, removing the ban on onshore wind in England, and agreeing on funding for multiple CCS projects. The new government has also established ‘Great British Energy’, a government-owned energy company in partnership with the Crown Estate which aims to lead up to 20-30 GW of new offshore wind seabed leases by 2030. Against this backdrop Insurance Age article will seek to explore what opportunities exist for brokers to benefit from this shift to a greater use of renewables. Only last month Howden’s power and renewable energy team launched a UK quote and bind platform backed by Aviva. However, this is not necessarily the preserve of just the multi-national brokers. https://www.insuranceage.co.uk/insight/7956067/howden-and-aviva-join-up-on-renewable-energy From the installation of solar panels to the on and offshore wind markets, the feature will explore what products brokers are seeking for alternative and renewable energy projects; especially at the small to medium end. Who is providing the insurance capacity, what cover exists and how it is evolving to meet the advancements in clean technology and demands of those using it? The piece will assess how insurers are helping keep brokers up to speed on developments in such a fast-moving market, and brokers in turn educating clients. Are the majority of clients established specialists, start-ups or existing businesses looking to expand into the sector and where does this pose particular expertise gaps and challenges? | 