High five: Catch up on the biggest exclusive stories this week

Starting off the week, personal lines profitability prospects came under the spotlight, with data reporter George McDade analysing eight key products to forecast where sustainable growth will be found in 2026.

Using Bank of England data and polynomial regression modelling, the research revealed which products are likely to outperform and which could see further contraction under cyclical market pressures.

• Which personal lines products will find sustainable profit in 2026?

Meanwhile, government proposals to mandate vision tests for motorists aged 70 and over sparked strong debate across the insurance market.

The planned reform – part of the UK’s new Road Safety Strategy – would replace self-reporting with compulsory eye checks at licence renewal. While insurers welcomed steps to improve safety, they also warned of unintended consequences for older drivers who rely on cars for independence.

• Insurance sector reacts as government weighs up mandatory testing for over 70s motorists

Fresh warnings from D&O and cyber experts also supported this week’s exclusives as directors face a “real risk” of personal liability in the wake of major cyber attacks.

With D&O and cyber exposures becoming increasingly intertwined, industry voices spoke to Harry McNeil about how boards can no longer treat cyber resilience as a purely operational concern – and that failing to prepare could invite shareholder litigation and regulatory enforcement.

• TechTalk: Directors face ‘real risk’ of liability in wake of cyber attacks

Following this, the focus turned to the premium finance market. With Close Brothers set to withdraw from personal lines, rival provider PremFina is moving fast to seize the gap.

Chief product and revenue officer Laura Sweetman told Harriet Scott that securing these broker relationships – many of which she managed during a decade at Close Brothers – has been a “priority”, while chief strategy officer Danielle Medhurst revealed how technology investment underpins the firm’s plan to hit its £1.9bn volume target.

• Laura Sweetman and Danielle Medhurst: PremFina’s ‘blueprint for success’ to fill personal lines gap

Finally, Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) is aiming to double the fundraising from its flagship Insurance Day for Dementia this November.

Founder Chris Wallace, UK executive director at QBE, said the campaign’s growing momentum – which last year saw 60 to 70 firms raise £500,000 in a single day – could push this year’s total to £1m. Wallace added that IUAD’s impact now extends beyond fundraising, with thousands of UKGI employees completing Dementia Friends training and support networks emerging across the market.

• Chris Wallace: Charitable campaign targets £1m single day fundraise following market-wide ‘momentum’