Property
Ex-Acromas CEO among senior Pikl hires
Pikl, the vacation rental specialist, has recruited former Acromas Insurance CEO Steve McGuinness as its chief operating officer and Canopius veteran James Everett as its chief underwriting officer.
News analysis: To what extent have brokers bought into Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme?
Flood specialists warn of a persistent knowledge gap among general brokers, but highlight that more providers need to make the Build Back Better scheme available. Ida Axling reports.
Blog: Sums insured - the greener way, one cuppa at a time
Site visits remain an integral part of the fabric of property insurance. But remote reviews of buildings sums insured are also effective and with surprisingly positive environmental results, argues RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com’s Amy Lillington.
Clear buys London-based broker
Clear Group has added London-based broker Moore Robinson to its UK retail arm.
Aviva reports 18% increase in ghost broking frauds in 2024
Aviva detected an 18% increase in ghost-brokered policies and linked an additional 8,600 cases to open investigations into known ghost broking cases in 2024.
Flood Re boosts education drive with academy launch
Flood Re has launched a dedicated online e-learning platform providing free training on the Flood Re scheme and the Build Back Better initiative.
Gallagher grows real estate practice with broker buy
Gallagher has purchased commercial insurance broker Bicroft Insurance Services, expanding the broking giant’s real estate practice.
PwC highlights pressure on motor, home and specialty insurance from Trump’s tariffs
PwC has warned of higher claims costs, particularly in motor and home, leading to pressure on premium rates due to the US placing new tariffs on its global trading partners.
Meet the MGA: MX Underwriting
Ian Cook, managing director at MX Underwriting, explains why he believes MGAs are not suffering a capacity crunch, and outlines plans to write in excess of £200m GWP in 2025 and add to MX’s product range and capability.
MGA adds Hiscox to non-standard property panel
NBS Underwriting has added A-rated capacity from Hiscox to its non-standard household product panel.
Meet the MGA: Optio Underwriting
With an aim to be the most admired global specialty MGA, Optio Underwriting group CEO Deepak Soni outlines how it attracts top talent, plans to mix organic growth with M&A and discusses the importance of having a PE backer that understands the subtle…
Interview: Mike Bottle, managing director of the Arch Insurance UK regional division
After a decade of transformation, multi-award-winning Arch is very much open for business with brokers and ready for more profitable growth across its regional network, hub and digital offerings, boss Mike Bottle tells Insurance Age.
Meet the MGA: Aspect
Following its recent brand refresh Oli Williamson, co-founder and chief underwriter, explains how Aspect is seeking to expand its core mid-corporate market offering into new areas such as terrorism and cyber – with an eye very much on how it can leverage…
Zurich targets £250m of GWP after extending relationship with MGA
Zurich UK has extended its capacity agreement with Plum Underwriting for a further five years, with ambitions to reach £250m GWP over the term.
Zurich fraud detection rises to £94m
Zurich UK uncovered £94.79m of fraudulent claims in 2024, around £260,000 per day.
Lloyd’s sets scene for full-year results as COR ticks up to 86.9%
Lloyd’s has unveiled a combined operating ratio of 86.9% for 2024, with gross written premium rising to £55.5bn, in a trading update ahead of its full results later this month.
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.
Bolt-on deal sealed by Bspoke, with more to come, says Smyth
Bspoke has completed a bolt-on deal and has a “fair bit” of ongoing activity, group CEO Tim Smyth told Insurance Age.
Beazley posts record profit as premium tops $6bn
Beazley has reported insurance written premiums jumped 10% to $6.16bn (£4.84bn) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
US consolidator completes first overseas deal with UK MGA buy
Bishop Street Underwriters has completed its acquisition of Landmark Underwriting, a specialty-focused managing general agent based in London.
Zurich UK boosts operating profits as GWP rises and COR improves
Zurich UK improved its combined operating ratio in property and casualty business to 91.7% last year from 93.8% in 2023.
Sompo creates global P&C and wellbeing segments
Sompo Holdings has formed two global segments, Sompo Property and Casualty and Sompo Wellbeing with the restructure kicking in on 1 April.
Specialty insurer becomes latest Lloyd’s entrant with Syndicate 1984
Convex Group, the specialty insurer and reinsurer, has received in principle approval to launch Lloyd’s Syndicate 1984, which will start underwriting in April 2025.
PIB kicks off 2025 buys with Residentsline
PIB has bought flats and apartments insurance specialist Residentsline from managing director owner Belinda Bagnall in its first deal of the year.