Reinsurtech platform Supercede has said inefficiencies associated with contract data are costing the market an estimated 3% of gross written premiums, which it said equated to approximately £2.25bn. It said more than two-thirds (68%) of market participants regularly rekeyed contract data post-placement and that more than half took more than a month to reconcile, post-placement.

The International Underwriting Association has created a council for chief underwriting officers in the London company market, which met for the first time this week. It will meet twice a year and its purpose is to help ensure the IUA’s work remains focused on supporting the underwriting operations of its members.

The Chartered Insurance Institute has launched a 12-month pilot programme with Birmingham City University in a bid to boost the insurance market’s talent pipeline. The initiative will see a variety of insurance experts engage with BCU’s business school and provide information and guidance on potential career opportunities and pathways.

Managing general agent Dual Group has entered into a global partnership with cyber risk analytic specialist CyberCube to improve its cyber underwriting capabilities. The partnership will provide Dual’s underwriters with access to modelling tools and APIs that will better inform their understanding of risks and potential exposures.

Allianz UK has upgraded its SME eTrade fleet market product and relaunched its no claims discount service on Acturis. It has also increased its appetite for younger drivers and reduced the size of a mini fleet from three to two vehicles. The carrier said it had increased its tolerance for electric vehicles as part of the changes.

Zurich has empowered its regional and commercial teams in nine regional hubs to offer multinational cover in seven European Economic Area countries for UK clients buying a mid-market commercial combined all risks policy. The extension will support UK businesses with operations in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain.

Open GI says two-fifths of brokers believe that in-person and telephone distribution will be more important in the years ahead, although 60% point to digital distribution as the main channel of growth for the market. The findings were published in a white paper based on distribution and placement research conducted in association with SparkMinds.

Financial consultancy Marsh Berry has said the number of merger and acquisitions in the insurance distribution sector for the year to date stands at 95, which was down by 34% on the 144 recorded at the same point last year.

The Department for Transport in conjunction with the Centre of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, and Simon Lightwood MP have launched a consultation to gather views from road users, industry and disability groups to help shape the rollout of autonomous vehicles.

The Financial Conduct Authority has announced an AI live testing initiative to help firms develop their use of artificial intelligence in a safe and responsible way. Homeprotect is one of the brands within the first cohort of companies using the new environment.

Van insurance premiums fell by 4.4% in the three months to November 2025 and are down by 19% when compared to the same period last year. The data from consultancy Pearson Ham Group’s latest van insurance price index shows that premiums are down by 26% since their peak in mid-2024.

The Financial Conduct Authority is looking to replace five different complaints returns with a single consolidated return in a bid to reduce duplication and drive more consistent and comparable data collection. The new process will require regulated firms to report complaints involving customers in vulnerable circumstances.

The Lloyd’s Market Association has set out its aspirations for the market in 2026 in relation to operations and technology. These include an increased move to peer-to-peer technology adoptions, the adoption of the core data record across claims and the implementation of accredited data-standards in the proliferating number of broker platforms.

Motor insurer By Miles, which is part of the Direct Line Group has confirmed it has stopped quoting on new business and will not offer renewal quotes to existing customers from 6th January 2026. The announcement follows Aviva’s acquisition of Direct Line Group.

Independent broker network Momentum Broker Solutions has launched Momentum Equity Partners, which is a joint venture with AUB Group. Momentum Equity Partners will provide capital and support to the network’s appointed representatives and assist them to expand organically and/or through acquisition.

Bridgehaven Europe Holdings Limited has confirmed receipt of all the requisite regulatory approvals to formally complete its acquisition of SureStone Insurance DAC, which was announced earlier this year.