Half (49%) of Northern Ireland’s drivers say they cannot spot a fake policy, although two-thirds (66%) of them are aware of ghost brokers selling bogus policies. The research comes from CompareNI.com and the price comparison website is urging drivers to be extra vigilant when buying cover.

Policy administration and distribution technology specialist Instanda has launched a new product – Instanda Clear – to help insurers manage complex human workflows across their underwriting and operational functions. The firm says it enhances governance of work that cannot be fully automated.

Data from Defaqto’s latest quarterly van insurance price index shows that premiums nudged up by 0.2% in March and by 0.2% in April, before dropping by 0.4% in May. Average quoted premiums are almost 10% down on last year and by more than 18% since the start of 2025.

Managing general agent Alps has launched a contract hire finance shortfall GAP cover product to provide protection against vehicle finance shortfalls. In the event of a total loss, the product covers the difference between the market value settlement provided by insurance and the outstanding finance balance owed on the vehicle.

Collinson Insurance has teamed up with Holiday Extras to offer two parametric flight delay solutions. One provides Holiday Extras’ direct travel insurance customers in the UK with a cash payment or access to airport lounges if their flight is delayed. The other will be offered to customers booking airport carparks and hotel packages and provides lounge access if a flight is delayed or cancelled.

Consumers are borrowing more to pay for insurance, according to research from Premium Credit. The premium finance provider says three-quarters (76%) of customers use some form of credit to pay for insurance – the same as last year – but adds that more than half of these customers (51%) have increased the amount they borrow in the past 12 months.

Intermediary Atec Group has transferred its portfolio of 140,000 add-on policyholders from provider Arc to Addept Insurance Services. The book of business includes policies for legal expenses, home emergency, rent guarantee, family legal protection, property owners’ legal expenses and commercial legal protection.

Managing general agent Pen Underwriting has increased the yacht hull limit available through its Vessel Protect brand to $/€15m. The 50% increase is available immediately and on a worldwide basis. Pen began covering global yacht risks in 2024. The increased hull limit follows the introduction of liability covers towards the end of last year.

Real estate managing general agent Ventis has launched its SME real estate product on Bravo Digital Trader, which is the digital trading platform for Bravo Networks. The product is also available on Acturis and via open market underwriting.

Admiral Group has completed its acquisition of fleet insurance specialist Flock, which was first announced in February of this year. Admiral Pioneer, the insurer’s venture building division, first partnered with Flock in 2024. Flock basis its underwriting on telemetry data. It aims to reduce fleet risks by providing safety improvement suggestions and incentivising policyholders with premium rebates.

Defaqto has launched its Defaqto Market Pricing branding following its acquisition of Pearson Ham Group’s market pricing business at the beginning of the year. The visual branding was first aired at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association conference in March.

Last year, there were 172 fires involving electronic cigarettes. This was up from 132 in 2024 and is almost six times the 31 fires recorded in 2021. The numbers come from a freedom of information request made by insurer Zurich which secured responses from 38 fire brigades across the UK.

Amiga Specialty has secured £25m of Lloyd’s capacity with global licensing for its new yacht division. The managing general agent says its focus will be on markets in the US, Southeast Asia and Europe as it seeks to develop its marine proposition.

Agria Pet Insurance has struck a deal with employee competence specialist Elephants Don’t Forget to use Clever Nelly, its AI-powered continual assessment solution, to support frontline teams. Agria Pet Insurance employees will engage with the platform on a daily basis to reinforce and improve their knowledge.

Specialty re/insurer Convex Group has received in principle approval to launch Lloyd’s syndicate 1987. The carrier aims to begin underwriting on 1st July, subject to securing the requisite regulatory approvals. Syndicate 1987 will focus on long-tail specialty lines and aims to build its portfolio across the casualty re/insurance and political risk and trade credit sectors.

The Chartered Insurance Institute has launched a consultation to investigate how insurers can improve road safety for young drivers. The professional body said the consultation was in response to a report from the Coroner’s Office of Coventry and Warwickshire, which called on the CII to investigate the issue after the deaths of two people in a road traffic collision caused by a 17-year-old who was later convicted of careless driving.