Allianz UK has enhanced both its appetite for digitally traded financial lines risks as well as the data enrichment capabilities applied during the quote process. The carrier says this will make it easier for brokers to submit a wider range of risks online through QuoteSME and imarket.

Poor signposting is leaving many non-standard customers having to start their search for cover from scratch if their initial application for cover is declined, according to a poll of brokers commissioned by managing general agent Prestige Underwriting and conducted by Context Skythorn.

Data from Defaqto’s latest quarterly van insurance price index shows that premiums fell by 4.5% in the three months to August this year. Premiums fell by 1.8% in June, 1.9% in July and 0.9% in August and are now down by 11% on an annualised basis.

Aviva has teamed up with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to support a five-year project that seeks to mitigate flood risk and make Bristol the first Ramsar-accredited wetland city in the UK. Data from Aviva shows that almost a third of homes in Bristol are at risk from river, coastal or surface water flooding.

Brown and Brown (Europe) Ltd has snapped up Alan R MacKay and Company Limited, trading as MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers, which has offices in Glasgow, Ayr and Aberdeen. The deal marks Brown and Brown’s first acquisition in Scotland.

There were 18 announced deals in the UK insurance distribution sector between June and August, according to figures from MarshBerry. The consultancy says this is the lowest number recoded for the summer period since 2017. In the year to date, there have been 56 deals, down 16% on the 67 recorded las year.

Addept Insurance Services has teamed up with Moorhouse Group, which specialises in business and property owners insurance, to offer rent guarantee and legal expenses insurance to landlords with mixed and commercial portfolios. Moorhouse is part of Atec Group.

Allianz UK has refreshed its proposition for wholesale and retail businesses, which covers those with a turnover between £10m and £1.5bn. The carrier says the move comes on the back of market research that suggest two thirds (68%) of business leaders feel their organisation is vulnerable to supply chain disruption.

Zurich has added 1,400 trades to its e-traded SME combined liability proposition, which it has launched on Acturis Open Market and Zurich Online. The new proposition builds on Zurich’s existing SME commercial combined infrastructure, expanding the range of risks it can cover.

Aviva has developed a hybrid fronting proposition for managing general agents that it says combines fronting capabilities and risk retention. It will be available through Aviva’s Global, Corporate and Specialty division and is aimed at opportunities in excess of £20m gross written premium.

HDI Global UK and Ireland is set to establish a new syndicate having received approval in principle approval for the venture from Lloyd’s. The carrier says the move will widen its distribution and give clients and brokers better access to its underwriting capabilities.

In September, Markel will launch a standalone cyber solution for businesses with a turnover of up to £250m, which will be available via the Acturis platform. The SME and mid-market proposition will provide cover across more than 3,400 trade categories.

Loss adjusting and claims specialist QuestGates has launched a new division called Counter Fraud Solutions that integrates fraud prevention, detection and management capabilities into a single proposition for commercial and personal lines insurers, managing general agents, brokers and commercial clients.

Managing general agent Alps has partnered with specialist schemes provider Guarantor Insure to launch a student guarantor protection insurance scheme, which will provide cover to individuals acting as guarantors for students in rented accommodation.

ManyPets has launched a pet insurance plugin, or app, on ChatGPT, which it says will make it quicker and easier for pet owners to get a quote. ManyPets says the plugin is aimed at consumers who are beginning to use large language models to fulfil their everyday search demands.

Cedar Trace Underwriting has received in-principle approval from the Lloyd’s Council for a new syndicate that will begin to write a diversified reinsurance portfolio as well as a delegated direct insurance portfolio from the beginning of 2027. Asta will provide managing agency and associated services to the new syndicate.