hard market
The stats: Q4 2024 - Premium growth continues, but at a slower pace
The Acturis Commercial Broking Index reveals further premium increases at the end of the year, but experts predict the market is set for softening in 2025. Ida Axling reports.
Meet the MGA: Rokstone
Ian Anson, MD of Rokstone, highlights talent that passes the ‘BBQ test’, an entrepreneurial culture and deep relationships with capacity providers as key to it achieving its goal of stretching the boundaries of what an MGA can offer.
The stats: Q1 2024 - Commercial combined slows to near halt
The year has started with almost no average premium growth in commercial combined while fleet and property owners have powered ahead, according to the latest statistics from Acturis.
Three MGAs put motor business on pause as capacity crunch continues to bite
Blagrove Underwriting Agency and two MGAs it supports with capacity have informed brokers that they will not be able to offer quotations or renew policies for 1 April, Insurance Age can reveal.
Meet the MGA: Generis
A focus on expertise, human touch and a future-proofed portfolio have been key to the first five years of success at Generis. Managing director Andy Francis explains the importance of a hard-won reputation and making sure staff come to work with smiles…
Start-up fleet broker aims for 90% app uptake
Start-up fleet broking specialist Hummingbird Insurance Services is aiming to create a sustainable motor portfolio that runs at an industry-leading loss ratio.
The stats: Hard market remains - but for how much longer?
Property and fleet rates remain stubbornly high as shown by the latest Q4 figures from the Acturis Commercial Lines Index, Rachel Gordon reports.
Has cyber reached a tipping point with new entrants and incumbent product pushes?
Against a backdrop where the Financial Conduct Authority has warned the cyber insurance market over its concerns on policy wordings, a recent survey has found over one-third of brokers are still not selling this product. Siân Barton mulls whether a raft…
Markerstudy weighing up Northern Ireland options as it exits short-term market
Markerstudy has confirmed to Insurance Age that it plans to withdraw from the short-term motor insurance market.
Waste management and recycling plant insurance – a market short on capacity
Media stories of massive premium hikes highlight issues in the waste management and recycling insurance market.
Tech and innovation to the fore for property risks, says Lockton leader Warman
Pushing forward on technology and innovation will be front and centre this year, according to global real estate practice leader at Lockton, Ben Warman, who also revealed his expectations on market hardening in 2024.
Review of the Year 2023: Pearson Ham's Stephen Kennedy
Stephen Kennedy of the Pearson Ham Group assesses how the phrase ‘unprecedented premium increases’ took centre stage in 2023 and why rates are likely to stabilise next year.
The stats: Q3 hit by rocketing property owners and fleet rates
The latest figures from Acturis show that commercial insurance premiums continue to rise, resulting in an increasingly challenging environment for brokers and their clients, reports Rachel Gordon.
Allianz fleet head: hard market not going away soon
Property owners’ cover is the largest mover in this quarter’s Acturis Commercial Broking Index, which shows rates are up by 11.3% over the previous 2022 quarter.
Markerstudy prioritising certain business lines but denies capacity squeeze
Markerstudy has admitted prioritising certain business lines over others in the present hard market, as it denied experiencing a “capacity squeeze”.
Blog: Market challenges make it the ideal time for brokers to digitise
Far from being a risk, digitisation is the best protection brokers can invest in to reduce the impact of market uncertainty. And Risto Rossar, CEO and founder of Insly, argues the timing could not be better given ongoing challenges from recruitment to…
TL Dallas posts double digit turnover and profit growth for 2022
TL Dallas Group grew turnover by 16% to £11.39m in 2022, with pre-tax profit soaring 31% to £1.33m.
Allianz commits to investing in local structure to support brokers
“The strength of the Allianz commercial business in the UK is without doubt our local, regional capability in those markets and the ability to deliver,” Allianz Holdings CEO Colm Holmes told Insurance Age.
Editor’s letter: Cash flow underwriting – stupidity over substance?
Having written about insurance for more than 25 years, I have learned that many things related to the sector are cyclical.
The stats: Q1 2023: Onwards and upwards – commercial rates continue to rise
Insurance rates increased year-on-year by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2023 with property being the key driver according to research from Acturis. Rachel Gordon digs into the data.
Soaring property owners’ premiums hit record high
Property owners’ premiums rose by 9.3%, according to recent figures for the first quarter of 2023 from Acturis, which will be published by Insurance Age on Monday 12 June.