Specialist managing general agent (MGA) Fiducia has expanded its risk appetite for combined liabilities insurance, extending cover to a broader range of contractor trades for UK brokers.
The Leeds-based MGA will now provide cover for contractors including builders, groundworkers, plant and skip hirers, and those working in electrics, plumbing, heating and ventilation. Its combined liability policy includes employer’s liability, public liability and products liability, and is supported by A-rated capacity from a major UK insurer.
The expansion follows continued growth in the MGA’s combined liabilities and commercial combined lines, particularly among clients in haulage, courier and warehousing sectors.
“We have seen a high uptake of our combined liabilities product for broking partners serving clients involved in supply chain and logistics operations,” said underwriter David Heeney (pictured). “It makes sense to broaden our horizons and complement our core engineering products.”
Heeney added that the MGA continues to focus on individual risk-based underwriting, particularly for clients experiencing rate increases despite having low risk profiles.
“By expanding our risk appetite to cover a wider range of activities, we can support broking partners with competitive cover, backed by market-leading capacity and service levels,” he said.
For the contractor trades included in the expanded appetite, Fiducia also offers a commercial combined policy covering material damage, business interruption, business all risk, and commercial legal protection. The product is designed for SMEs but may also be suitable for larger risks.
Fiducia chief executive Gerry Sheehy said the expansion reflects the changing risk landscape for contractors and the need to support brokers working in that space.
“Extending our combined liabilities cover represents a positive expansion in what we can underwrite to support our broking partners and their clients,” he said. “It also reinforces the ‘can do’ reputation we’ve built in our specialised market and gives us the ability to offer a one-stop solution across combined liability, commercial combined, contract works and contractors plant.”
The product expansion coincides with a number of recent hires aimed at strengthening Fiducia’s underwriting team.
In January, the firm appointed Emma Harvey as assistant underwriter to support UK and European broker partners. Harvey brings eight years of industry experience, including roles at Aon and Gauntlet Group.
Last year, Fiducia also brought in Mike Hall as senior development underwriter for its marine cargo, freight liability, and fine art and specie portfolios. Hall previously led Zurich’s UK marine underwriting team and now works with brokers across the UK and Europe.
Fiducia provides cover across marine cargo, freight liability, engineering insurance and inspection, and terrorism risks. Its capacity is fully backed by Lloyd’s syndicates and leading insurance companies.
