The insurance industry has been plunged into the centre of a row between protesters and local authorities in the run-up to the meeting of the G8 nations.

Rally organisers G8 Alternatives are expecting hundreds of thousands of demonstrators to descend on Gleneagles on 6 July to protest against world poverty.

But Perth and Kinross Council has been unable to secure the £5m public liability cover it says is required.

Zurich Municipal, the council's insurer, has advised the authority that its existing policy does not cover it for an event of this size. The council said it then approached its broker, Marsh, to arrange alternative cover but was informed that no one was prepared to take it on.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: "It is now down to G8 Alternatives, as the organisers, to secure the cover."

G8 Alternatives told Insurance Times that it would not stump up the estimated £30,000 premium but that the protest would still go ahead.

Andrew Smith, a member of G8 Alternatives, said: "The idea of insurance standing in the way of our democratic right to protest is ridiculous."

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.