New research from independent insurance consultancy Broadstone and InsTech suggests actuarial expertise within MGAs is now being used not only as a regulatory safeguard but also as a core driver of underwriting performance, pricing discipline and portfolio management.
Findings from the report, called MGAs and Actuaries in 2026: The State of the Market, indicate that MGAs are deploying actuaries across a wide range of commercial and analytical activities, often in ways that differ markedly from traditional insurer models. Rather than focusing on compliance or reserving oversight, actuarial input is most frequently applied in areas closest to business performance.
More than 70% of respondents use actuarial analysis for underwriting performance reviews (72%) and pricing adequacy (71%), while claims development and trend analysis is used by over two thirds of MGAs (67%). These activities sit at the core of day‑to‑day underwriting decision‑making and portfolio steering, suggesting that actuarial capability is becoming deeply embedded within MGA operating models.
The survey found that the average MGA uses actuarial expertise across five different functional areas, pointing to a breadth of application that goes well beyond narrow technical reviews. According to the report, respondents highlighted particular value in the ability to translate claims experience and reserving insight quickly into pricing adjustments, underwriting strategy and portfolio actions.
Several MGAs pointed to the importance of shortening the time between emerging claims signals and underwriting or pricing responses, a priority that reflects the pace at which MGA portfolios evolve and the expectation from carriers for early visibility of performance shifts.
The findings also reflect a broader trend in the delegated authority market. Lloyd's and other capacity providers have repeatedly stressed that profitable, data-rich MGAs with strong underwriting controls and timely performance information are more attractive partners.
Cormac Bradley (pictured), senior actuarial director at Broadstone, noted how firmly actuarial work in MGAs has moved into the commercial engine room.
"In insurers, actuarial activity is often heavily shaped by regulation and governance cycles but, with MGAs, we’re seeing actuaries embedded much closer to underwriting decisions, with a clear focus on speed, relevance and performance impact," said Bradley.
The findings also suggest that MGAs increasingly value actuarial insight that is iterative, forward-looking and operational, rather than retrospective or episodic. Uptake is highest where actuarial teams work alongside underwriters and claims specialists, enabling rapid interpretation of loss trends, validation of pricing assumptions and proactive portfolio management.
“MGAs that are scaling successfully tend to prioritise how quickly insight flows from claims and reserving into pricing and underwriting actions," Bradley said. "That speed of feedback is becoming a differentiator – not just for performance management, but for credibility with carriers and reinsurers.”
Market commentators have noted that capacity providers are becoming more selective with MGA partners, particularly in classes exposed to inflation, climate‑related volatility or social inflation. Against that backdrop, MGAs able to evidence disciplined, actuarially driven pricing adjustments and early corrective action on deteriorating books may be better placed to retain and grow capacity and to negotiate terms through the cycle.
This aligns with Broadstone’s experience supporting MGAs and delegated authority underwriters, where growth often drives demand for more embedded, responsive actuarial capability that enhances decision‑making without slowing trading.
Overall, the findings point to a sector that is professionalising rapidly, with actuarial expertise evolving from a peripheral technical input into a core commercial capability – shaped by the specific needs of MGAs rather than inherited wholesale from insurer operating models.
