Brought to you by:

Intermediary premium increases in June half

Intermediaries invoiced about $14.1 billion in general insurance premiums in the six months to June 30, up from almost $12.5 billion a year earlier, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) says in a regular bi-annual update.

APRA-authorised general insurers accounted for $11.7 billion of the business, compared with $10.2 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Invoiced premium to Lloyd’s underwriters also increased, rising to $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion, but business with unauthorised foreign insurers (UFIs) declined to $793 million from $825 million.

The update is based on data from 1666 intermediaries in operation during the period.

Singapore dominated the UFI space, accounting for 60% of invoiced premium. The UK placed a distant second (17%), followed by UFIs groups in the “other countries” category (9%).

By class of business, fire and industrial special risk (ISR) represented the largest proportion of premium placed with UFIs, at $531 million or 67% of invoices issued. Risks in “other direct classes” were next with $135 million.

Other business classes placed with UFIs are marine and aviation ($23 million), other accident ($15 million), public and product liability ($27 million) and professional indemnity ($63 million).