Specialist lines in the UK’s general insurance market are seeing a marked uptick in broker interest, with unoccupied homes, flood-risk properties and high-performance vehicles emerging as the key areas of opportunity, according to new research from Prestige Underwriting.
Findings from the managing general agent’s latest broker survey suggest that appetite for non-standard risks continues to grow, driven by increasing client complexity and the need for tailored cover. Three-quarters of brokers now identify unoccupied homes as a major growth area, up from 55% last year. Properties exposed to flood risk also rose sharply to 64%, while interest in thatched homes increased from 12% to 17%.
Alison Williams, managing director at Prestige Underwriting, said the results reflect a structural shift in broker priorities as more clients fall outside the bounds of standard policies. “These findings reaffirm what we hear from our broker partners every day – non-standard is where opportunity lies,” she said.
“Whether it’s unoccupied homes, high-performance cars or homes at flood risk, brokers are looking for dependable, specialist solutions that meet evolving client needs.”
On the motor side, broker demand for high-performance vehicle cover edged up once again, rising to 36%, from 32% last year. Homes at risk of subsidence remained broadly stable, with 27% of brokers continuing to see opportunity in that space despite a slight year-on-year dip.
The survey findings form part of Prestige Underwriting’s wider engagement strategy with its broker network. The firm said broker feedback has directly informed a number of its recent initiatives, including becoming the first MGA to partner with Flood Re and support the Build Back Better programme – a scheme aimed at improving flood resilience for at-risk homes.
Prestige also highlighted the impact of delays in the probate process on the unoccupied property sector. In response, the firm recently launched a dedicated short-term unoccupied property insurance product, providing flexibility for estate planners and brokers seeking to maintain cover during legal proceedings.
Williams said the move is part of a deliberate strategy to provide practical solutions in high-demand areas: “At Prestige, we take that insight seriously. That’s why we were the first MGA to back Flood Re’s Build Back Better initiative, and why we’ve developed innovative products like our Short-Term Unoccupied Property Insurance. Both are designed to help brokers respond with confidence in a market that evolves at pace.”
Prestige Underwriting, which operates across the UK and Ireland, has long focused on the specialist end of the personal lines market. The firm said it expects demand for non-standard cover to continue climbing, particularly in areas where regulatory changes, climate risk and property trends are placing pressure on conventional underwriting models.
