Managing general agent Pen Underwriting has secured an extension to its capacity partnership with specialty underwriter SiriusPoint, which will provide capacity for the MGA’s social housing proposition until at least 2030. The two firms began their partnership in 2024.

Aon has partnered alternative asset manager Blackstone to launch Cortina syndicate 1956, a new reinsurance vehicle at Lloyd’s. Cortina has received in principle approval from Lloyd’s and is working to secure the additional permissions required to begin underwriting on 1st January 2027.

In the last year, Zurich UK has detected £109.3m of fraudulent insurance claims, attributing more than 16% (17.9m) of that total to the use of connected AI and advanced analytics tools. The insurer spotted 4,359 fraudulent claims across its casualty, motor and property portfolios.

Data from Consumer Intelligence’s latest home insurance price index shows that home insurance premiums fell by 2.2% in Q3 and are down by 4.9% in the 12 months to the end of September 2026. The index takes an average of the five lowest quotes from price comparison websites.

Hastings Direct wants to recruit 500 people in the coming year to support ongoing growth. The expansion is across all aspects of the business and personnel will populate customer facing teams as well as those focused on claims, pricing, underwriting, commercial, data, and technology.

Allianz Commercial has received in-principle approval from Lloyd’s for a new syndicate, Allianz Commercial 1893, which it hopes will begin underwriting from 1 January 2027. The plans are subject to final regulatory approval.

Intense competition continues to impact the pet insurance market which has seen premiums for lifetime pet cover fall by 14% over the past 12 months. The figures from Defaqto’s latest pet insurance pricing index record an average of the top five quoted prices.

Analysis from consultancy MarshBerry shows that there were only two new insurance distribution deals in October, the lowest figure since 2017. A total of 62 announced deals in the year to date is 29% down on the 87 transactions recorded the previous year, which was itself significantly slower than previous years.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association and Intact Insurance have launched a start-up hub for brokers to provide practical guidance, insight and resources to those looking to establish and grow their own brokerage. The aim is to support new growth in a market that has seen significant consolidation in recent years.

Accuro Underwriting has developed a new broker portal through which intermediaries can access its Aviva-backed care combined product. Accuro runs delegated insurance schemes for care homes and has focused on this market for more than 20 years.

Compare the Market has launched a temporary car insurance proposition enabling customers to submit quotes to a panel of providers including Covertime, Safely Insured, Zixty, Allianz, First Underwriting, KGM and Somerset Bridge.

Members of the Association of British Insurers received 13,000 new domestic subsidence claims from July to September this year, up by 62.5% on the 8,000 claims received in Q3 last year. Average subsidence claims totalled £20,000 for the second quarter in a row.

Cupican Insurance Brokers has opened for business under the umbrella of the Coversure network. Also known has Coversure Stevenage the firm has a focus on commercial healthcare insurances including medical malpractice, professional indemnity, employers' liability, public liability, product liability, business interruption, commercial legal expenses and commercial combined.

Managing general agent rrelentless has agreed partnerships with cyber security firm LevelBlue and security awareness training specialist Pistachio to boost the risk management services it offers policyholders.

Investec Premium Finance, a division of Investec Bank Plc, is now available via the Acturis trading platform and will offer commercial lines brokers access to premium finance solutions for their business clients. Investec Premium Finance was launched in 2022.

Graphco Ltd, which is the holding company of Uris Group Limited, has acquired distribution and administration business Cavere Group Ltd, which is the parent firm of Cavere Ltd and coverbaloo Ltd.