SME
The stats: Commercial rates continue to fall in Q4 2025
The latest Acturis Commercial Broking Index confirms softer market conditions, as negative movements in Q4 led to rate stabilisation for the full year and put a stop to a six-year growth period. Ida Axling reports.
Broker bosses outline importance of shifting the focus from price to value
Brokers could be missing valuable income and leaving clients exposed if they don’t shift the conversation from price to value.
Q&A: Pen’s Nick Wright
Nick Wright, chief business development officer at Pen Underwriting, tackles its recent M&A quietness, capacity in the market and the benefits to brokers from niche products. He updates on the goal of hitting £1.75bn GWP by 2030, streamlining its agency…
Axa updates two products
Axa UK Commercial has made enhancements to its offices and surgeries, and digital mini fleet products.
MBP strikes first deal of 2026 with RAW investment
Minority Broker Partnerships has acquired a minority stake in RAW Insurance Brokers, a Carlisle-based commercial insurance brokerage specialising in construction, agricultural and SME business insurance.
Aviva to keep Direct Line for Business
Aviva, which partially exited direct SME commercial business in 2024, is keeping Direct Line for Business and does not view it as a challenger to brokers, Jason Storah, CEO for UK and Ireland general insurance told Insurance Age.
News analysis: Will NCDs for fleets catch on, and what does the future hold for the CV sector?
Last year, Zurich Insurance announced it was enhancing its SME e-trade fleet offering by accepting no claims discount (NCD) claims history in response to broker demand. Saxon East examines the ramifications of this move – and explores other dynamics…
Coalition claws back £16.4m of policyholders’ stolen funds in 2025
Cyber insurer Coalition recovered £16.4m in stolen funds for policyholders around the world last year, with an average recovery of £152,053.
Storah promises brokers more to come as Aviva reaches sub 94% ‘North Star’ COR
Aviva grew gross written premium and policy numbers in a “challenging” SME market, Jason Storah, CEO for UK and Ireland general insurance at Aviva, confirmed to Insurance Age, as he promised further broker focus after its 2025 results.
Partners& buys West Midlands-based Movo AR
Partners& has purchased Dudley-based Holmes Insurance Brokers, a Movo Partnerships appointed representative.
Superscript to open new Glasgow office and promotes trio
Superscript has announced plans to open a third office in Scotland and unveiled a series of promotions as part of what it has described as “next phase of growth”.
News analysis: Why are more brokers competing for brand and affinity partnerships?
A number of brokers have recently announced tie-ups with household brands to distribute insurance. Ida Axling explores the benefits these affinity deals bring for intermediaries and their partners, and the prospects for future growth in the brand…
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.
Swansea broker Compare buys £1.5m GWP book of clients
Swansea-based Compare Insurance has acquired the book of clients from Insure My Business, adding £1.5m gross written premiums to the business.
Interview: Allianz’s chief distribution officer Nick Hobbs
Nick Hobbs, chief distribution officer at Allianz UK, tells Insurance Age about the importance of the provider’s regional footprint now including broker hubs, the challenges of the soft market and its MGA appetite as well as the ongoing investment in…
Markel boss Mooney warns SMEs are 'consciously' choosing to underinsure
Experts have called on greater education around renewals and the true value of insurance as underinsurance has started to become a conscious decision for SMEs.
SME MGA outlines mission to ‘empower’ brokers as it opens for business
Kovrilo, an MGA incubated by Mission that provides bespoke, modular commercial cover for UK SMEs, has formally launched.
Broadway targeting 50% growth in 2026 on way to £50m GWP within 5 years
Broadway CEO Daniel Lloyd-John is keen to avoid complacency as it seeks to become the optimal size and shape for a ‘boutique broker’, and highlights the opportunities in its ‘one client’ cross-selling approach.
Survey: Rebuilding trust in commercial combined
Commercial combined etrade was meant to simplify placement. Instead, brokers say rigid systems, slow referrals and automated declines are making one of the market’s most important products harder to trade. Martin Friel reports
Cullum and McCaffrey on Minority Broker Partnerships’ aim to hit £100m GWP by end of 2026
Launched without much fanfare, Minority Broker Partnerships reunites Peter Cullum and James McCaffrey into the intermediary investment space. However, as the pair tell Jonathan Swift the market has changed since their last attempt - with younger brokers…
Broking Success: Cass Stephens MD James Cass
Cass Stephens managing director James Cass explains how the broker is targeting the specialist care and park home sectors for growth as the business celebrates its 60th anniversary, and highlights the importance of cyber insurance for SMEs.