Personal lines insurance group 1st Central has launched Motivo, an agentic AI proposition for motor customers that can make policy changes and manage payments. Testing shows the technology can complete tasks in around 40% of the time taken previously. Motivo will complement the group’s existing brands and target those seeking a digital-first experience.

Commercial insurance rates in the UK fell by 8% in Q3, according to data from Marsh’s latest global insurance market index. This exceeded the 5% fall recorded globally and was the ninth consecutive quarterly drop noted by the index.

The Financial Conduct Authority is seeking to bring regulation to life by providing examples of good practice in the adoption of artificial intelligence as well as details of areas in which regulated businesses could do better.

Starpeak Insurance Solutions has reported gross written premium of £8.4m for the first half of 2026, an increase of 18% on the same period last year. In August this year, the firm announced it had secured investment from private equity firm August Equity to support a management buyout and drive further growth.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has begun accepting claims against Verus Financial Services Limited, which previously operated as an independent financial adviser giving insurance, investment, pension, mortgage and equity release advice.

Defaqto data shows average premiums for combined buildings and contents insurance dropped by 2.4% during Q3 and were 4.4% lower in September 2026 than they were a year earlier. They are down by 16.9% over the last 24 months. Defaqto takes the average of the five most competitive quoted premiums.

Specialist credit underwriting management agency Credeq has secured in-principle approval from Lloyd’s for Syndicate 1998, which aims to begin underwriting from 1st January 2027. It will focus on credit risk insurance, alongside surety reinsurance and speciality European trade credit.

Maksure Risk Solutions has announced its expansion into direct corporate and public sector broking in a move that builds on its existing operations as an accredited Lloyd’s broker. The firm will offer broking, risk advisory and risk financing solutions to mid-sized and large corporates and public sector institutions.

The Chartered Insurance Institute has appointed Debbie Mitchell as its president for next year and named Mandy Hunt as the incoming deputy president. Hunt will take over the presidency in 2028, the first time in the CII’s history there have been consecutive female presidents.

Research from Flood Re and the University of Hull has shown that low-cost tapes are better at stopping flood water breaching doors than traditional sandbags. The tests, commissioned by Flood Re and carried out by the University of Hull, demonstrate that flood putty tape, duct tape, aluminium tape and yellow plastic tape all perform better than sandbags when applied to the outside of a doorway.

Data from CompareNI.com shows than young drivers (aged 17 to 24) in Northern Ireland are paying an average of £1,432 for their annual motor insurance premium. It says this is about 25% more than the national UK average for this age group and a rise of 10% in the three months to September this year takes it past London as the most expensive region.

Seventeen Group has snapped up independent Lloyd’s broker Dashwood Brewer and Phipps, which was established in 1919, in a move that enhances the group’s Lloyd’s and London market capability. Dashwood Brewer and Phipps has operated within the Lloyd’s market for more than 50 years and will retain its brand going forward.

Commercial property insurer FM has expanded its available risk solutions to include parametric insurance, structured risk solutions and captive cells. The carrier says the move creates greater flexibility for clients to better manage the cost of cover and navigate constrained market capacity.

Managing general agent Subscribe has signed a long-term capacity deal with Fortegra Insurance UK Ltd. The £5m binder will support Subscribe’s portfolio of UK micro and SME professional indemnity business.

Consumer watchdog Which? is calling on the government to ban insurance providers from charging customers who pay their motor insurance on a monthly basis following a mystery shopping exercise that uncovered interest rates as high as 53%.

Tokio Marine Kiln has increased the scope of its Cyber Ctrl PD+ wording to improve the cover available to insureds in the event that a cyber incident impacts physical assets, supply chains and financial transactions.