Specialist personal lines managing general agent (MGA) Uris Group has renewed and expanded its long-standing partnership with Zurich, agreeing to a new five-year arrangement that will provide long-term capacity for its specialist property insurance portfolio, which trades under the Midas brand. The agreement, effective Oct 1, will allow Uris to underwrite up to £55 million in premiums annually, representing £275 million in potential capacity over the course of the deal.
Focus on non-standard household cover
Uris' Midas portfolio specialises in non-standard household insurance, offering cover for risks that often fall outside traditional policies, including properties of non-standard construction, unoccupied homes or let properties. The continued support from Zurich ensures brokers and customers have ongoing access to Zurich-backed household cover, which remains relatively scarce in the UK market.
The renewed agreement follows Uris Group's management buy-out in 2023, which marked a new phase for the business. Derek Coles, chief executive at Uris Group, said the deal represents an important milestone in that journey. He explained that Zurich's backing provides "long-term certainty, expanded capacity and plenty of headroom to support growth ambitions."
Coles also highlighted the importance of broker access, adding that Uris is proud to be one of the few MGAs still offering Zurich-backed household capacity in the UK.
Strategic alignment for Zurich
David Nichols, head of Retail at Zurich UK, said the insurer values its partnership with Uris and sees the new agreement as part of a broader commitment to supporting specialist MGAs.
"These longstanding relationships are an important part of our business strategy," Nichols said. "This new agreement reflects our commitment to supporting specialist partners in delivering long-term value and sustainable growth through an exciting phase of development."
The UK household insurance market has been under pressure in recent years, with rising claims costs, inflation in property repairs, and a tightening of capacity. MGAs like Uris play a critical role in serving niche areas, particularly non-standard risks that mainstream insurers often avoid. Long-term capacity agreements such as this one provide stability for brokers and customers alike, while helping insurers like Zurich maintain a presence in specialist segments without direct operational involvement.
For Uris, the strengthened partnership signals an opportunity to accelerate growth and further entrench its position as a key player in the non-standard household market.
