Managing general agent Magenta Insurance, which is part of Dual Corporate Risks, has signed a new capacity deal with Zurich, which is now in place for new business and renewals, to support its mid-net-worth prestige home insurance proposition.

Managing general agent Volt Underwriting has entered into the ports and terminals insurance class under a binder led by Tokio Marine Kiln. Chris Haines will underwrite an initial line of $15m covering global property and liability exposures.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association will work with the Association of British Insurers to create a new signposting commitment after giving its support to the move published as part of the government’s financial inclusion strategy. The strategy outlines a switch to more comprehensive signposting for people seeking insurance.

Jensten Group has snapped up commercial broker Northern Counties, which has offices in Gateshead and Glasgow. Northern Counties is a founding member of Broker Network and the acquisition includes NCinsurance and NCstirling. The firm has a heritage that stretches over 50 years and the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will see the 20-strong team join Jensten.

Charles Taylor Assistance says demand for medical repatriations has almost doubled in the past year. It put the increase down to the fact that more travellers with multiple health conditions were able to secure travel insurance and go ahead with their international trips.

The International Underwriting Association has named Theo Butt (pictured), who is the chief executive officer, UK for Convex Insurance, as its new chair. On 1st January 2026, he will take over the post from Claire McDonald, chief executive officer of Scor Business Solutions, who steps down after completing her two-year term.

Insurance intermediary business the Clear Group, has inked its name on the UK Armed Forces Covenant, which is a pledge by businesses and organisations to ensure that ex and serving armed forces personnel and their families, are treated fairly and with respect. Clear said the move was part of its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau says that the RM19 postcode in Thurrock ranks top for uninsured driving defendants, with five of the top 15 places being taken by postcodes in the West Midlands. It said postcodes in Peterborough, Manchester, Belfast and Havering also made the top 15. MIB released the data to mark the start of its annual Operation Drive Insured campaign.

Data from Aviva shows that ghost broking in the young driver market is up by 4% in the last year and by 22% over the past two years. The insurer said young drivers aged 17 to 25 were losing an average of £2,000 when they bought bogus motor policies from ghost brokers, which includes the average cost of the premium (£1,700) and the associated fees (£300).

MyFirst, which specialises in finding motor cover for young, new, learner and student drivers has appointed Ageas UK to its panel of insurance providers. James Noble founded MyFirst in 2016 and its young driver proposition monitors driving behaviours and offers rewards to promote safer driving habits.

Westfield Specialty International, which owns Lloyd’s Syndicate 1200, has signed a partnership agreement with London-based insurtech, Insurwave. It said the collaboration would help it to improve its existing catastrophe and capital modelling processes and to enhance its reporting capabilities to the Lloyd’s market.

Gary Boome has launched Bournemouth-based Renata Group Ltd, which will provide commercial and personal lines solutions for clients. The new broker is an appointed representative of Momentum Broker Solutions, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

According to Pearson Ham’s Pet Insurance Pricing Index for Q3, premiums were up by 0.9% on the previous quarter, although they are down by 3.5% on an annualised based. Pearson Ham said this was largely due to the 4.5% drop recorded last November.

Best Insurance will support British military veterans with six discounted products that are now available on the armed services veterans’ platform, weServed. The products are accident, sickness, unemployment, pet, gadget and home contents insurance.

Manchester-based Principal Insurance Limited has bought Peart Performance Marque Limited’s book of business following its entry into administration on 30th October this year. Peart was established in 1984 and the sale of the high-risk vehicle and home insurance broker’s portfolio was arranged by joint administrators Dean Watson and Paul Stanley of Begbies Traynor.

Commercial insurance specialist Clear Group has penned a multi-year contract with premium finance provider Premium Credit, which will cover operations at its UK and Irish businesses. The deal builds on an existing arrangement and comes on the back of a market review.