Our History

Our journey started some years ago, when Renovation Insurance Brokers was established. We started as brokers, but soon noticed there weren’t enough good renovation insurance products for us to access. We found that most people undertaking building works didn’t get the cover they really needed, either because they thought they were already covered (but weren’t) or because there weren’t exceptional cover options available in the market to help.

This struck us – and still does – as a failure on the part of the insurance industry. We wanted to put it right, without compromising on the quality of the products and advice that consumers now demand. The investment that followed with the emergence of Renovation Underwriting has made this mission possible.

Renovation Underwriting Limited is officially launched – specialising in the provision of insurance and consultancy services for high value residential and commercial renovation and building projects.

Attendance at BIBA 2018 saw our team officially introduce themselves for the first time, on a dedicated stand that outlined our new business vision.

A commitment to sharing our unrivalled knowledge and deep expertise was evident from the start;  with us offering dedicated learning tools for our sector partners from launch. This made us the first in the sector to provide CPD sessions on contract works, a decision led by the fact our unique course content is not available within the CII curriculum.

Renovation Underwriting Limited formally begins trading; working with Brokers across the country from two offices in Cambridgeshire and London – and supported by A rated capacity partners Allianz, HSB, Munich RE and RSA.

The niche MGA emerged from the well-established, highly regarded team at retail broking firm Renovation Insurance Brokers (RIB). A team boasting significant experience and a proven track record in this specialist sector; having worked together for eight years in the delivery of Renovation Insurance for private clients at RIB.

We invest in our London base further, with a move into new offices in Lime Street; in the heart of the insurance and financial district of the City of London.

Natalia Child joins as Broker Relationship and Training Officer – a brand new role bolstering our continuing commitment to deliver contracts works CPD to private client and commercial brokers.

Continuing business growth sees a move to larger Cambridgeshire headquarters in St Neots; providing additional space for a rapidly expanding team.

We publish a suite of Covid-19 resources for our Broker community; with articles, videos and new CPD training to support partners during a challenging time for the sector and for society.

James Guthrie, formerly of Covéa and Sterling, becomes Head of Distribution; bringing over 35 years of experience in what is a new senior role for our business.

Continuing demand for services sees us welcome additional new starters – bolstering our Underwriting team and investing in our first dedicated Claims Manager.

Our CPD offer goes from strength to strength, with Brokers having benefitted from over 615 hours of CPD training over this calendar year alone.

In celebration of our approaching fourth anniversary and looking ahead to the future, we launch a new brand identity and redeveloped website.

Proudly announced as an All-Star MGA in the 2022 5-Star MGA report published by Insurance Business Magazine.
Accolade given in recognition of our outstanding service and products (as voted for by Brokers).

Our reputation as an outstanding MGA is once again confirmed, with the announcement of our second 5 star ranking of the year in the Insurance Times MGA Survey.

We unveiled our Contract Works Academy to brokers and insurers – our new online training platform. A system offering instant access to works expertise; with unique guidance articles, videos and support materials all designed to supercharge contract works knowledge.

We announced that Ardonagh Advisory Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of The Ardonagh Group, has agreed to acquire a majority shareholding in Renovation Underwriting.

We launch a new in-house offering for non-negligence liability cover –  thanks to a partnership with non-neg liability specialist underwriter Len Albon, who joins us as a Consultant in order to embed this new product offer.

We introduced the RU Broker Hub – elevating broker interactions and insights through a new online platform; displaying personalised dashboards and access to wider systems through a single sign in.