AutoProtect Group has renewed its partnership with Group 1 Automotive UK. Under the expanded deal it will provide GAP, SMART, tyre and alloy wheel coverage through all of Group 1 Automotive’s 115 UK dealerships.

Clear Group has acquired Morden-based Delco Safety Limited, a specialist fire safety and compliance consultancy. The move is part of Clear’s strategy to expand its risk management division and reflects the growing legislative and regulatory scrutiny on building and fire safety.

Data from the International Underwriting Association has shown that London Market companies generated total premium income of £49.3bn in 2024, up by 1.7% on the previous year. It said £43.8bn was underwritten in London and the remaining £5.5bn was written elsewhere, but overseen and managed by London operations.

Belfor UK has struck a deal with Protector Insurance to provide a pop-up kitchen pod solution to clients in the aftermath of major losses such as fires, floods and escapes of water. The pods make it easier to keep insureds in their own homes, reducing alternative accommodation costs and minimising the disruption for policyholders.

Specialist Risk Group has added Champion Insurance Group to its stable in a deal that includes the company’s subsidiaries, Champion Professional Risks and Champion Health & Benefits. Headquartered in Manchester, Champion Insurance Group supports clients across a range of commercial and personal lines and will become part of SRG’s UK retail division.

Acorn Group, which specialises in non-standard car, van and taxi insurance has launched Street Cover. The new brand is aimed at UK delivery drivers using their personal car for what it terms as hire and reward activities. This includes delivering food for platforms such as Uber Eats, parcels for online retailers or goods for businesses such as florists.

Allianz UK has appointed Glyn Hughes (pictured) as managing director of Allianz Personal Broker. The move is subject to regulatory approval and Hughes is scheduled to start his new position in February. He joins from his current role of director of personal lines underwriting and pricing at Ageas.

Brunel Insurance Brokers has opened its 10th UK office in Hayle, Cornwall. Brendon Ladner will lead the team of five with plans to double the headcount within the next year. The broker has a focus on serving clients within the marine and coastal sectors.

Leeds-based JMG Group has announced the acquisition of Allsop Commercial Services in Gainsborough, Sussex-based Highhouse Insurance Services and Insursec Risk Management in Essex.

Independent insurance agency network Assurex Global has launched AG London, which is a wholesale broker that will initially place business across speciality lines of business. These lines include product recall, financial and professional, terrorism and active assailant, cyber, marine (first and third party), cargo and stock throughput, logistics and supply chain, and fine art and specie.

Allianz UK has unleashed an AI generative tool called BRIAN to support its commercial underwriters and enable them to respond more quickly and confidently to customer enquiries. The tool makes it faster for underwriters to retrieve specific information from lengthy underwriting guides for property and casualty and specialty lines.

Willis’ recently published Power Market Review details how returning capacity and increased competition to underwrite power and utility companies has led to mid to high double-digit rate reductions for property damage and business interruption policies. It said the softening impact was less pronounced in liability markets due to climate change and decarbonisation pressures.

Managing general agent Pen Underwriting has implemented six enhancements to its UK SME cyber proposition. Pen said the changes would maximise indemnity levels by removing sub-limits and lengthening restoration periods. It said the updated proposition better reflected the evolving exposures faced by SMEs.

Network Coversure has launched Ocean Insurance Brokers (Coversure Bristol), which will be led by Chris Luckett (pictured) and becomes the first operator in the network to formally commit a share of income to its own charity, Broking For Good. It said 2% of its commission income will go to the charity.

The home insurance market in the UK achieved a combined operating ratio of 103% in 2024. This was an improvement on the 111% achieved in 2023 and the 117% in 2022. Moody’s Ratings published the figures and said the average premium in the UK had risen by more than 30% since 2022 in a bid to combat losses.

Admiral Insurance and legal firm HF have worked in tandem to thwart a mother and son who had pursued a fraudulent claim valued at more than £2m following a minor accident. Inderjit Singh and her son Simerjit Singh now face costs and damages awarded against them of more than £200,000.