SME
McGill and Partners crowned Broker of the Year at 2026 British Insurance Awards
McGill and Partners and Native were the big broker winners at the British Insurance Awards last night.
SME underinsurance fears deepen
SMEs are increasingly worried about being underinsured as they cut back or cancel business insurance policies, but in a positive development, nearly one in three firms have started working with a broker in the past two years, and are starting to boost…
DA underwriter seals new PE investor after trebling business since 2023
Delegated underwriting authority specialist Carbon Underwriting has signed an agreement for “a significant growth equity investment” from FTV Capital, the global sector-focused growth equity firm.
Broking Success: Ian Evans, DPI – from TV to insurance
Ian Evans, director and co-founder of DPI Insurance, tells Emmanuel Kenning about growing the family-owned business to £10m GWP and why, having switched from a career in the television industry to work with his two brothers, he would advise his younger…
Aviva builds out in contractors combined with digital launch
Aviva has launched a digitally traded contractors combined proposition, starting on Acturis with Fast Trade to follow, claiming it is plugging a gap in an underserved part of the market.
Zurich scores businesses flexible cover ahead of World Cup
Zurich has kicked off flexible opening hour cover for SME and mid-market licensed trade, as it claimed the update will help pubs, bars and restaurants capitalise on the World Cup, without falling foul of policy conditions.
Atec owner reveals divisional growth in first results
Both broker Ceta and managing general agent Arkel grew by double digit amounts in the first year of being owned by private equity house Perwyn, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Pen doubles limits to £10m to ‘maxmise relevance’ in SME cyber
Pen Underwriting is to double the SME cyber cover limit available to £10m for risks incepting on or after 1 July 2026.
Hiscox highlights SMEs as it joins ChatGPT UK advert pilot
Hiscox UK has pointed to the changing “conversational” nature of insurance searches, including by SME owners, as it confirmed it is taking part in a pilot through agency partner Dentsu to explore advertising in ChatGPT.
Axa trimmed UK COR as GWP and profit grew in 2025
Axa Insurance UK achieved a sub-100% combined operating ratio for 2025 with gross written premium up and profits rising, a filing at Companies House has revealed.
Commercial Express moving from Open GI to Acturis
Managing general agent Commercial Express is switching from Open GI to Acturis for its back-office operating system and product launches, Insurance Age can reveal.
Zurich responds to broker feedback with SME commercial combined e-trade enhancements
Zurich UK has claimed an insurer first launching a module core cover approach on Acturis for its SME e-trade commercial combined offering, Insurance Age can reveal.
Sign up for Broker Expo now to be ready for 2027 and beyond
You can now sign up to attend Broker Expo as part of Insurance Age’s wider UK Broker Week which also encompasses the UK Broker Awards and UK Broker Summit.
Cross-selling at the forefront for Covéa, say PL boss Coffey and CL leader Hector
Covéa personal lines director Sue Coffey has outlined plans to widen Covéa’s home insurance footprint and the cross-selling opportunities with the commercial business, as the insurer pinpoints profits as the lead focus going forward.
Simply Business adds Allianz to SME insurer panel
Simply Business has expanded its product provider panel with the inclusion of Allianz UK.
Axa’s Jon Walker on consistency for brokers in new role
Having been made CEO of newly created Axa Insurance UK in March, Jon Walker sets out his approach to the role and what the provider is doing for brokers.
Aviva doubling down for customers, says Martin
Aviva is committed to pushing on with an “absolute focus on customer” and will continue “doubling down”, David Martin, managing director for UK commercial and chief distribution officer, told Insurance Age as he teased a “major new proposition” pencilled…
Intact extends risk consulting service across commercial book
Intact Insurance has confirmed the roll out of ‘Risk Assist’ as a core policy offering across its entire commercial lines portfolio, detailing a series of benefits in support of brokers.
Zurich’s Kelly on the importance of local trading and the insurer’s mid-market focus
Zurich has seen a 60% uptick in new business across its mid-market portfolio this year, according to Jacqui Kelly, UK head of sales and distribution – retail, who highlighted the importance of regional trading ahead of Biba’s 2026 conference.
BDH owner reveals growing losses and turnover in 2025
Salinas Topco, the holding company for Top 100 UK broker BDH, has posted rising turnover in the last financial year and losses reaching £11m.
Pool Re seeks to boost take-up of terrorism cover by SMEs with new scheme
Pool Re has launched a new incentive scheme for its members, aimed at increasing the uptake of terrorism insurance cover among SMEs as it highlighted only around 4% of the sector has cover in place.