Aviva links with Miles Smith to give access to Lloyd’s

Aviva has agreed a partnership with commercial insurance broker Miles Smith to allow members of its Club 110 to place business in the Lloyd’s market.

The development comes as Aviva revealed that a number of brokers had joined its club after quitting existing networks.

The insurer launched “Facility 110” after entering into a long-term agreement with Miles Smith at the beginning of April to make it easier for Club 110 brokers to place difficult risks.

Aviva’s director of business development John Kennedy told Insurance Times that more than half of Aviva’s 240-strong Club 110 broker membership had already signed up to the service.

“Brokers were looking for help to place business that Aviva was not able to underwrite itself . . . typically London market business,” he said. “It allows 110 brokers to get a quick response to the customer.”

The tie-up had already resulted in up to £1m of business being written – and more than 25% of the risks placed were new.

Both Aviva and Miles Smith said they did not profit from the deal and that all benefits, including commissions, were passed on to the brokers.

Miles Smith chief executive Paul Chainey said it was a good deal for independent brokers. “We do difficult risks in all classes of business.”

Kennedy said about 20 brokers left Club 110 at the end of last year because they had underperformed, but were replaced by a similar number including “six or seven that decided to leave their existing network”.

He said:?“We have been very open about the fact that it is important that brokers have a choice.”

In the second half of the year, he claimed that Aviva was set for “a significant shift” in its personal lines focus, but refused to comment on specific details.

“We will be looking to support brokers of all shapes and sizes. It will be for all brokers but Club 110 brokers will be among the beneficiaries,” he said.