Spotlight on: Australia’s leading underwriting agencies

Among the winners were Brooklyn Underwriting (Brooklyn) and PI Direct Insurance Brokers (PI Direct), which dominated the financial lines insurance sector this year.

Founded in 2007, Brooklyn provides a breadth of customised, market-specific insurance solutions to Australian businesses along the mid-market property, SME casualty, financial lines, marine, and other specialty lines. It became part of AXA XL (then XL Catlin) in 2016 and is supported by specialist, locally-based underwriting and claims teams in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

When asked what made Brooklyn stand out this year, Brooklyn head Scott Jerome pointed to the company’s flexibility and ability to adapt to customers’ needs with speed and agility.

“Our approach to business is direct, straightforward, and underpinned by the values and strengths shared with AXA XL, operating with honesty and integrity for the benefit of our customers,” Jerome said. “Our easy-to-use online portal allows brokers to quote and bind a wide range of risks within minutes. We can also provide solutions via our underwriting specialists, and should there be a need, we can also connect you with experienced AXA XL underwriters. We also have an award-winning, in-house claims team who take a practical and empathetic approach to guide you through the claim journey.”

PI Direct Insurance Brokers

Established in 1998, PI Direct is one of Australia’s leading financial lines markets for retail brokers. It provides access to specialist financial lines products, advice, services, and support through its long-established local and international relationships and exclusive facilities.

Having decades of financial lines insurance experience, along with Steadfast’s strength, enables PI Direct to provide scale, leverage, and additional power to today’s complex and difficult market. From submission through its in-house claims service, the PI Direct team ensures brokers are in the strongest position with the best insurance solution for their clients.