The insurance industry will get a first glimpse of the European Commission's (EC) inquiry findings into anti-competitive practices when it publishes an interim report early next month.

Trade associations, brokers, intermediaries, and insurance companies from across all 25 member states will receive a preliminary report on the business insurance market in the first week of November.

Eric Galbraith, chief executive of Biba, told Insurance Times that the European Federation of Insurance Intermediaries (BIPAR), of which Biba is a member, will comment and respond to the paper on its behalf.

The consultation period is expected to last for three months before the EC produces a final report some time in 2007.

If the report finds anti-competitive practices as a result of its inquiries it could force legislative change in the form of a directive or direct regulation, an industry source said.

An interim report had been expected at the end of September, but a second wave of questionnaires sent out to trade associations by the EC in July this year is thought to have delayed the report's publication.

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.