The Lloyds Market

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The Lloyd's market

The majority of business written at Lloyd’s is placed through brokers who facilitate the risk-transfer process
between clients (policyholders) and underwriters.

Clients can discuss their risk needs with a broker, a coverholder or a service company. Specialist
underwriters for each syndicate price, underwrite and handle any subsequent claims in relation to the
risk.

Business at Lloyd’s is still conducted face-to-face, and the bustling underwriting room is central to the
smooth running of the market. The market structure encourages innovation, speed and better value,
making it attractive to policyholders and participants alike. Immediate access to decision-makers means
that answers on whether a risk can be placed are made quickly, enabling the broker to provide fast,
good-value solutions.

The Lloyd’s market houses syndicates which offer an unrivalled concentration of specialist underwriting
expertise and talent.

How the Lloyd's market works:

All numbers are updated following the release of Lloyd's annual report.
 Members – providing the capital

The capital to underwrite policies is provided by members of Lloyd’s . This capital is backed by many of the
world’s major insurance groups, listed companies, individuals and limited partnerships, with corporate groups
providing the majority of the capital for the Lloyd’s market.
 Brokers - distributing the business
Lloyd’s is a broker market in which strong relationships, backed by deep expertise, play a crucial part. Brokers
facilitate the risk transfer process between policyholders and underwriters. Much of this business involves face
to face negotiations between brokers and underwriters.

At 31 December 2017, there were 287 brokers at Lloyd’s.


 Syndicates – writing the insurance
A Lloyd’s syndicate is formed by one or more members joining together to provide capital and accept
insurance risks. Most syndicates write a range of classes of business but many will have areas of specific
expertise. Syndicates are, technically, set up on an annual basis. In practice, they usually operate from year to
year with members having the right, but not the obligation, to participate in syndicates the following year. This
continuity of capital backing the syndicates means they function like permanent insurance operations. Each
syndicate sets its own appetite for risk, develops a business plan, arranges its reinsurance protection and
manages its exposures and claims.

At 31 December 2017, there were 95 syndicates at Lloyd’s.

 Coverholders and service companies – offering local access to Lloyd’s


A managing agent may also authorise third parties to accept insurance risks directly on behalf of its syndicates.
These businesses, known as coverholders, form a vital distribution channel, offering a local route to Lloyd’s in
many territories around the world.

At 31 December 2017, there were 3,797 approved Coverholder office locations.

A service company is wholly owned by a managing agent or related group company and is authorised to enter
into contracts of insurance for the associated syndicate. It is also able to sub-delegate underwriting authority
to coverholders.

At 31 December 2017, there were 381 service companies at Lloyd’s, with the majority in the UK and the US.
 Managing agents – managing the syndicates
A managing agent is a company set up to manage one or more syndicates on behalf of the members.
Managing agents have responsibility for employing underwriters, overseeing their underwriting and managing
the infrastructure and day-to-day operations.

At 31 December 2017, there were 56 managing agents at Lloyd’s.

 Corporation of Lloyd’s – supporting the market


The Corporation oversees the Lloyd’s market. It provides the market’s infrastructure, including services to
support its efficient running, and protects and maintains its reputation.

At 31 December 2017, the Corporation and its subsidiaries had 1,021 staff.

 Policyholders - transferring risk

Policyholders include businesses, organisations, other insurers and individuals from around the world who
seek to mitigate the impact of potential risks. Policyholders may access the Lloyd’s market via a broker,
coverholder or service company.
 Members' agents - supporting the members
Members’ agents provide advice and administrative services to members, including assisting with syndicate
selection.

At 31 December 2017, there were 4 members’ agents at Lloyd’s.

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