SME
SMEs increasingly using credit to buy insurance
Research from Premium credit warns that Covid-19 and the increased cost of cover is pushing SMEs to use credit to buy cover as some cut down on insurance spend.
Polaris reports post-lockdown boost in SME insurance volumes
The organisation says the number of policies traded on its imarket solution reached a record high in March 2021, after volumes dropped in 2020 when businesses closed due to the pandemic.
RSA boss Egan commits regional broker focus following Intact takeover
Egan says RSA's turnaround phase is over as he discusses what the sale to Intact will mean for the UK and International business.
Simply Business adds RSA to panel
The broker will offer RSA and More Than products to SME customers.
Pandemic pushes SMEs to rely on credit to fund business insurance
Three out of four SME bosses who use credit to pay for insurance premiums have said that the impact of COVID-19 is the main reason for increased borrowing, Premium Credit finds.
CII New Generation group warns on customer trust as report highlights barriers
The report said the insurance sector could refocus its efforts towards building trust with its customers, particularly SMEs.
Square Pegs expands SME product range
The organisation has also become a standalone underwriting cell within Castel.
LexisNexis launches data solution for SME brokers
According to the provider, the product is designed to help small to medium sized UK brokers price more effectively, cut operational costs and improve the customer journey in personal lines.
CII creates Presidents Forum to assess customer needs
Aon UK's Julie Page will chair the group which has been developed to discuss the changing insurance needs of consumers and SME businesses with the aim of creating guidance and key actions for further development.
Analysis: The rise of pay-as-you-go insurance
As demand for flexible on-demand insurance products is accelerated by Covid-19, Insurance Age investigates what the challenges and opportunities are for brokers.
Allianz offers free legal line for commercial customers
The insurer’s 24/7 telephone service can provide guidance on any business-related legal matter, from employment law to debt recovery and property disputes, as well as advice on Covid-19 related legislation.
Axa branches to move to mid-market focus
Jon Walker explains how the regional network will develop as some offices are set to become specialist call centres.
Vista Insurance Brokers launches North West subsidiary
The fresh division is set to focus on construction, manufacturing, import/export, engineering, and haulage.
Consolidation of the consolidators next step as broker M&A targets reduce
IMAS director John Nisbet discusses how consolidators can continue to grow and warns that private equity backers could move on from the sector as a result of a “diminishing opportunity” in the broking market.
Aviva risk report highlights broker role
Insurance Age takes a first look at the Aviva Risk Insights Report which considers Covid-19, Brexit, cyber, climate change and the part of brokers.
Avid swoops for specialist construction MGA
Deal for IIGL will see Avid diversify into four new specialisms as the MGA's GWP reaches £75m.
Blog: Resilience in action
Large swathes of the UK’s SME sector have been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, but many have also been able to adapt, survive and reshape with the support of their brokers, writes Tom Hill, Executive Director at Aqueous Underwriting.
Blog: No end in sight to current lockdown adds to the stress for SMEs
Aviva’s Dave Carey discusses pandemic-related challenges for SMEs and what brokers and insurers can do to help.
Video: New research underlines need for brokers to educate over flood risk
Floodflash founder CEO Adam Rimmer talks to Insurance Age content director Jonathan Swift about a new survey it undertook that found that 48% of businesses worry about flooding as a threat to the UK economy.
Biba zones in on resilience in 2021 manifesto
Manifesto includes a number of commitments from the broker trade body, covering areas including underinsurance as a result of the pandemic, IPT, cyber insurance and signposting to help customers access insurance.
Iprism unveils e-traded excess of loss product for SMEs
MGA says new offering was developed in response to broker demand.
Blog: Why the BI ruling offers brokers the perfect opportunity to show their mettle
Following the Supreme Court business interruption ruling last week, Jonathan Swift argues brokers need not join their insurer partners in suffering Murder By the Orient Express, but instead play an important role in helping policyholders understand what…
A-Plan to absorb Howden’s UK retail business
More than 100 staff are set to move across as A-Plan is set to become Howden’s retail flagship.
Markerstudy's still in talks for commercial lines capacity deal
Group underwriting director Gary Humphreys says that the provider is speaking with a new carrier after it was forced to go "on hiatus" for new quotes in commercial lines almost a year ago.