IntroductionFollowing the introduction of the new FSA regulatory regime in January 2005, distribution is currently one of the most pressing issues in UK general insurance.
This report identifies some of the major effects this regulatory shift has had on the UK, and highlights how distributors and commercial insurers can operate most effectively in the FSA environment.ScopeLeverages Datamonitor's Insurance Broker Database, a resource identifying the broker partners of approximately 1,500 UK companies of varying sizes.Indicates distribution splits within the commercial insurance sector based on Datamonitor research and industry insight.Features two exclusive B2B surveys of brokers and SMEs, providing insight into their needs and requirements and actionable conclusions.Provides distribution split forecasts to 2009 to indicate the development of the commercial market in future years.HighlightsWhile iMarket represents a giant leap forward for the industry as a whole, to truly capitalize on the opportunities it will present, brokers and intermediaries must remain mindful of their advisory role, and continue to use the service they provide for their clients to differentiate themselves from the direct channel.Almost three-quarters of small businesses in Datamonitor's SME Survey were amenable to being sold commercial products direct, indicating a potentially large appetite for cutting out the broker.
The primary motivation of these firms was price-related.In general terms, the likelihood of changing broker increases with the size of company.
This pattern was more pronounced between 2004 and 2005 compared to the previous year, as the soft cycle began to stimulate a greater degree of price-competitive behaviour across many commercial lines.Reasons to PurchaseBenefit from Datamonitor's exclusive B2B surveys, showing attitudes to insurance providers among SMEs and brokers.Plan your future customer acquisition strategy with confidence using forecasts of distribution channel developments to 2009.Access unique broker data to understand the competitive picture among intermediaries of all sizes.