McGill’s aviation solution; Aviva’s flood risk app; Zurich UK’s COO

From Insurance Post this week

• Nick Hobbs to depart Allianz Commercial
• MoneySuperMarket adds home and pet insurance to ChatGPT app
• Concentrate on motor claims duration as much as cost
• Jensten names Geo’s Swindle as CEO of product and distribution
• Insurance complaints increase 10%
• BYD partners with Bolttech on embedded insurance

From People this week 

• Q&A: Ethan Godlieb, Consilium
• 60 Seconds With… Pegasystems’ Manoj Pant
• Diary of an Insurer: Ticker’s Rachel Green
• HDI’s Reynolds on fleet risk of safer vehicles but costlier claims
• Admiral insists collaboration key to future-proofing motor repairs
• Confused’s Jones on why data is vital as car insurance market hardens

Pick of the week 

Aviva launches app for flood risk

Deal value: N/A 
Date announced: 22 April

Aviva has introduced an app to existing customers who live in high risk flood areas to help them get ready for flooding in future.

As part of its ‘Be Informed, Prepared and Resilient’ campaign, Aviva is introducing the Resilico Connect app to home insurance customers whose homes have been identified as being at high risk of flooding. 

The app allows customers to sign up for flood alerts and provides practical advice to help protect homes and possessions. Resilico Connect, provided by Resilient Planit Ltd, also allows users to create a personalised flood plan directly on their smartphone so residents can take pre-emptive action to help protect their property.

Jessica Swire, head of claims sustainability at Aviva, said: “As figures suggest more homes could face a growing threat from flooding in future, it’s vital those at risk can access information that could help them to prepare. Effective flood preparation measures, such as moving high value or sentimental items upstairs, taking up rugs, and placing appliances on stilts, can all help to reduce the impact of a flood.”

Arc Legal and Markerstudy Distribution launch Rent Guarantee Insurance product for Landlords

Deal value: N/A 
Date announced: 27 April

Arc Legal Group and Markerstudy Distribution will now provide Rent Guarantee Insurance to Swinton Insurance landlord customers. 

The scheme, building on the relationship between Arc Legal and Swinton in place since 2010, is an extension to the Legal Expenses cover already provided to residential property owner customers. 

The importance of Landlord Legal Expenses and Rent Guarantee Insurance is expected to increase following the establishment of the Renters Rights Act, coming into force on 1 May 2026. 

With the abolishment of Section 21 Eviction Notices, and increased periods for landlords to pursue eviction claims, rent default periods will increase, creating a heightened risk for landlords. 

Craig Lane, partnership manager at Arc Legal said: “Rent Guarantee gives landlords greater peace of mind, particularly with the implementation of the Renters Rights Act looming. We look forward to continuing to work with the team and providing support to promote this valuable product to their customers.” 

Karl Askey, ancillaries manager at Markerstudy Distribution commented: “This addition enhances the protection available to landlords and reflects our shared commitment to provide high-value solutions, particularly in light of the significant changes the Renters Rights Act will bring.”

McGill and Partners launches aviation solution

Deal value: N/A 
Date announced: 27 April

McGill and Partners, the independent global specialty insurance and reinsurance broker, in partnership with certain carriers in the London market, has launched a bespoke aviation insurance solution that addresses significant, unmitigated risk within the aviation sector. 

Coverage is specifically designed to protect aviation spares against war perils while on the ground – filling a crucial coverage gap in traditional policies.

Historically, aviation hull war policies have only covered spares for war perils while they are in transit by sea or air, leaving ground-based assets exposed. With no existing protection against war perils on the ground, airlines and lessors are exposed to significant financial loss. 

With individual aircraft engine values approaching $50m, the absence of ground-based war peril coverage creates a direct and material risk to the balance sheets of both airlines and lessors for these multi-million-dollar assets.

McGill and Partners’ new policy is designed to provide ground-based war coverage and protection for spares and equipment located on the ground and not in transit by sea or air.  

It provides war perils coverage for physical loss or damage resulting from war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, martial law, military or usurped power or attempts at usurpation of power.

Jon Petursson, partner for aviation at McGill and Partners said: “Multiple warehouses and hangars hold significant inventories of high value assets, including individual engines worth up to $50m, with no existing protection for stored spares impacted by physical loss as a result of war, and representing a significant and growing balance sheet risk. 

“This solution can provide the assurance, protection, and financial security that operators require to safeguard essential equipment and high-value assets, regardless of their operational status.” 

Aon UK creates programme to support displaced professionals entering the workforce 

Deal value: N/A 
Date announced: 27 April

Aon plc has announced the next phase of its Displaced Workforce Impact Programme. This initiative is designed to support people displaced by war, violence and conflict in finding professional employment in the UK that is aligned with their skills and expertise.

People who have been displaced and have professional qualifications face unemployment rates up to  three times the UK national average. 

The new programme, modelled on Aon’s UK Work Insights Programme, is delivered in collaboration with the Refugee Employment Network and helps individuals build their professional networks, hone their transferrable employability skills and navigate the corporate recruitment process.

The launch follows successful pilot programmes held in October 2025 and January 2026 attended by over 80 people. 

Feedback from session participants showed a marked increase in confidence navigating corporate recruitment, with levels rising from 28 percent to 70 percent. 

These results indicate the programme’s potential to help displaced professionals to have a better understanding of the UK job market and to take practical steps toward professional employment.

Katherine Conway, head of inclusion for Aon, said: “By working alongside charities like the Refugee Employment Network, we can successfully translate our commitment to inclusion into real outcomes that are in line with our purpose to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. 

“We’re proud of the success of the pilot programmes – reflected in the doubling of participants in the second iteration of the series. We want to offer our support and expertise to displaced people who face disproportionate unemployment rates.” 

Jenny Walton, CEO of the Refugee Employment Network, said: “Employment plays a vital role in rebuilding a life for those displaced from their home country and the feedback attendees have shared shows how transformative this programme has been. Participants have left feeling motivated and welcomed into Aon and the UK workplace – something many are experiencing for the first time.”

And finally…

• Miller has announced the appointment of Graham Wynes as head of claims.
• Zurich UK has appointment Chubb’s Mark McCausland as chief operating officer
• Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its insurance team with the appointment of Helen Hallam as a partner in the firm’s London office.
• Optalitix has announced a strategic partnership with H.W. Kaufman to support the scaling of its London Market business.
• Beazley has named Sundeep Khera as head of marine.
• Premium Credit and Adrian Flux have renewed their premium finance partnership which has been in place since 2004.
• Europcar Mobility Group UK has established a dedicated, ring-fenced fleet of vehicles specifically for its insurance customers. 
• Covéa Insurance has welcomed Jamie McCann as head of personal lines, and promoted Jade Midgley to head of trading for personal lines. 
• Aviva has completed the acquisition of the DisasterCare Group which includes CJN Holdings Limited, the parent company of Disaster Care Limited and The Flood School Limited.