Dawn Dillaway on logging on

Brokers and insurers spend too much time and resources requesting, chasing, providing and pursuing commercial quotes – many of which are price-checking or market-blocking manoeuvres.

We know e-trading streamlines processes and maximises opportunities, but the complex nature of non-package commercial products has stymied progress.

But change is coming. Comparative quotes and fully automated, full-cycle underwriting across the range of commercial insurance products are tantalisingly close.

More and more brokers and insurers are writing business online and, as we harness the technology and adopt the mindset, numbers will grow.

We can’t carry on as we are – direct sellers are building online propositions to attract SME clients. It is up to us: either we influence change or we suffer the consequences.

Dawn Dillaway is Groupama’s head of commercial underwriting.

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.