Specialist MGAs are playing an increasingly important role in maintaining access to capacity across difficult areas of the commercial motor market, according to new research commissioned by Direct Commercial Limited (DCL).
The findings, based on polling of brokers across the wider commercial motor insurance market, suggest niche fleet sectors continue to experience pressure around insurer appetite and placement capacity but specialist MGAs are increasingly helping brokers secure viable cover where mainstream markets have become more cautious.
Waste, hazardous and recycling fleets were identified by brokers as the single hardest commercial motor segment to place due to limited market capacity (71%).
DCL said the findings reflect the increasingly specialist nature of parts of the commercial motor market, particularly in sectors with higher claims severity, more complex operational exposures or inconsistent insurer appetite.
For DCL, the findings point to a market where specialist MGAs are increasingly helping brokers bridge gaps in capacity rather than leaving risks without viable options.
That trend was reinforced when brokers were asked how often specialist MGAs had provided the only viable quote or terms available for a niche commercial motor placement.
More than seven in 10 brokers said this now happens either sometimes or often (72%).
DCL said the findings demonstrate how specialist MGAs are increasingly acting as critical market problem-solvers in more complex areas of commercial motor insurance.
The research also showed broker confidence in placing niche risks with specialist MGAs remains strong.
While the majority said confidence levels remain stable, almost four in 10 brokers surveyed said their co