For owners of high-value homes, there is another change on the horizon worth keeping an eye on. The Government has announced plans for a new High Value Council Tax Surcharge, expected to apply from April 2028 to residential properties valued at £2 million or more. The proposals are still being developed, but they could affect a relatively small number of high-value properties across England. For Private Clients, it raises an interesting question: if the value of your client’s

For many Private Clients, their home is more than an asset. It may be the place where generations of family memories have been made, alongside collections, jewellery, artwork and other possessions that have been built up over many years. So when it comes to protecting that legacy, knowing what everything is worth matters. Sara Simmons, Head of Technical Underwriting Values can change Property values move, but so can the cost of rebuilding a home. Renovations, extensions, spec

Flood risk is becoming an increasingly important conversation for the insurance industry, and for Private Clients in particular. Flood Re has played an important role since it was introduced in 2016, helping to make flood insurance available and affordable for homes at higher risk. But it was always intended to be a transitional solution, and with its planned end in 2039, the market is beginning to look towards what comes next. There is currently a consultation around the fut

High-value homes in the UK are increasingly defined by distinctive architecture, heritage features and innovative construction methods. Timber frames, bespoke materials, listed elements and environmentally advanced designs all enhance desirability and value. However, from an insurance perspective, these features also introduce complexity; particularly at a time when the UK construction sector is facing skilled trades shortages and rising rebuild costs. For private clients' br

We're open for business and want you to trust us with your Private Clients. You told us our £100,000 threshold required to access Private Clients was preventing you from placing business with us. We listened. We've removed the minimum GWP threshold and are actively looking to grow with brokers who share our ambition in the Private Clients market. This could be brokers with an established book, a track record in the market, or those building a Private Clients proposition a

Hi, We’re continuing to expand the ways OGI broker partners can access Covéa’s SME expertise. Our Property Owners and Trades & Professionals propositions are now live on OpenGI via imarket, giving you another way to trade with us and support your customers. Designed for clients who are landlords with portfolios of up to 10 commercial or residential properties. Property Owners provides core cover for: Property Damage, Property Owners’ Liability Loss of Rent With additio

In July, I attended my first Personal Lines networking event in London with Covéa Insurance. The event featured a panel hosted by our Personal Lines Director, Sue Coffey, and featuring Nick Rawlings (Business Transformation Director), alongside professionals from across the insurance industry. The discussion centred around the advancements of AI and how they believe it could impact both their businesses and their customers. Akua Oforiwah-Asante, Marketing Intern. The discussi

Dafydd Prodger, Senior Regional Underwriter What attracted you to Covéa? I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with some of my colleagues previously (Sean Field, Leighton Brown, Tracey Vivian and Louis Parkes) and this went a long way towards showing that Covéa is a great place to be and employs fantastic people. What stood out to you during the hiring process? Such great first impressions! From the outset, Covéa created an impressive initial reaction – from a technical i

By David Zabrocki How the move towards greener homes and buildings is changing risk David Zabrocki, Home and Private Client Technical Underwriting Lead Solar panels are becoming more common across both residential and commercial properties, supported by rising energy costs and a societal drive towards becoming net zero. UK government data shows a steady increase in small-scale and rooftop solar installations across homes and businesses. These technologies bring clear long-ter

by Britt Gillott We would like to welcome CJ Major and Joe Silson, who have both stepped into Broker Development Consultant roles. Ollie Kenyon, CJ Major & Joe Silson CJ joins us with a unique and varied background. He began his career in claims at MyPolicy before moving into a TikTok start-up, where he built strong skills in creativity and relationship-building. He brings valuable experience and perspective that he now applies in his role at Covéa. We’re really pleased to ha

By Adam Lemar, Underwriter Mirrors are a simple way to make a home feel brighter, larger and more inviting. But what many people do not realise is that, in certain conditions, they can also pose a serious fire risk. When sunlight streams through a window, mirrors and other reflective surfaces can concentrate that light into a focused beam. If that beam lands on materials such as curtains, bedding or furniture, the heat can build to the point where it ignites. While this might

With climate models pointing towards a possible “Super” El Niño from summer 2026, Sara Simmons, Head of Home and Pet Underwriting at Covéa Insurance, shares what brokers need to know. “El Niño is a natural climate pattern that begins in the tropical Pacific when the surface sea temperatures become warmer which then disrupts the global weather patterns,” says Sara. “Whilst it directly affects those countries around the Pacific, the UK and Europe are indirectly affected and it

Covéa Insurance has announced the appointment of Stephen Long as Chief Operating Officer (COO), following unanimous support from the company’s Board. Stephen’s responsibilities within Covéa Insurance will remain unchanged, continuing to lead the company’s Claims, Operations, IT and Customer functions, and retaining his position on the Executive Committee. The appointment formally recognises...

In a move to strengthen their Personal Lines team, Covéa Insurance welcomes Jamie McCann as Head of Personal Lines. Jamie McCann Jamie, with 28 years’ experience in the insurance industry, he will take responsibility for distribution and underwriting. Alongside him is Jade Midgley, promoted to Head of Trading for Personal Lines. With 24 years at Covéa Insurance, Jade brings a deep understanding of customers, brokers and the market the business operates in, all of which will b

David Farnworth - New Business Team Manager When it comes to Private Clients, no two risks, or clients, are ever the same. From the straightforward to the wonderfully niche, our underwriting approach is designed to give brokers confidence that we can review, understand and respond to a huge variety of needs. We spoke with David Farnworth, New Business Team Manager, about what defines our appetite, the value of good submissions, and why the human touch still matters more than

Niamh Brady, Senior Customer Claims Manager When a private client suffers a loss, the claims experience matters. According to Niamh Brady, Senior Customer Claims Manager, it starts with recognising the impact on the customer. “Every claim brings stress,” Niamh explains. “Even smaller incidents cause disruption, and it is important that we acknowledge that from the outset.” For private clients, claims are usually managed through brokers. That makes collaboration essential. Ni