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International Underwriting Association of London Limited

International Underwriting Association of London Limited

The International Underwriting Association of London Limited (IUA) is a leading trade association representing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance companies operating in or through the London market. Established in December 1998 through the merger of the London International Insurance and Reinsurance Market Association (LIRMA) and the Institute of London Underwriters (ILU), the IUA embodies a legacy dating back to 1884 via the ILU’s marine insurance roots. Its primary mission is to promote and enhance the business environment for companies trading in London outside Lloyd’s of London, focusing on large multinational and reinsurance business.

The IUA serves as a collective voice for its members in dealings with government, regulators, and other insurance bodies, actively influencing public policy and compliance developments affecting the insurance sector. It is committed to market modernization, driving digitization and automation across insurance processes, including placing, claims, accounting, and settlement, using standards such as ACORD data protocols. The association also provides technical, legal, and operational support to its members and fosters knowledge exchange through various market groups and industry events, including annual catastrophe modelling and marine claims conferences.

With a membership largely composed of international companies—38 of its 40 members as of 2011 were overseas-based or part of global groups—the IUA reflects the globalized nature of the London insurance market. It maintains strong relationships with brokers and other stakeholders and collaborates closely with regulatory bodies on key EU policy files such as Solvency II, the Insurance Distribution Directive, GDPR, and Brexit implementation. The IUA also addresses emerging issues like cyber insurance, sustainability risks, big data, and corporate governance.

The IUA operates from its head office in London, providing a forum for discussing market issues and supporting best practices throughout the insurance lifecycle. Its members collectively own a significant share of Xchanging Ins-sure Services, which provides back office processing services to the London market. The association’s strategic priorities include improving business efficiency, advancing market expertise and innovation, influencing public policy, and fostering stakeholder relationships

  • Name: International Underwriting Association of London Limited (IUA)

  • Founded: December 31, 1998 (merger date)

  • Predecessors: London International Insurance and Reinsurance Market Association (LIRMA), Institute of London Underwriters (ILU)

  • Location: 1 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AA, United Kingdom

  • Company type: Private company limited by guarantee without share capital

  • Industry: Non-life insurance

  • Website: www.iua.co.uk

  • Employees: 11-50

  • EU Transparency Register ID: 58082761985-18 (registered since July 13, 2009)

  • Mission: To promote and enhance the business environment for international insurance and reinsurance companies operating in or through London

No related lobbyists found.

The IUA’s lobbying and advocacy focus areas include:

  • Solvency II application and equivalence of insurance jurisdictions

  • EU/US insurance dialogue

  • Insurance Distribution Directive

  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

  • Trade agreements affecting insurance and reinsurance

  • Environmental Liability Directive

  • Systemically important financial institutions and resolution

  • Brexit implementation

  • Cyber insurance and risk

  • Sustainability risks and ESG matters

  • Big Data and cyber security

  • Motor Insurance Directive

  • IFRS17 accounting standards

  • Liability and general insurance stress testing

  • Conduct risk and corporate governance

  • Insurance guarantee schemes

These categories reflect the broad regulatory and policy environment impacting the London insurance market and the IUA’s role in shaping these frameworks

The IUA networks extensively within the insurance and financial services ecosystem. It collaborates with:

  • Brokers and the broking community

  • Other London market bodies, including Lloyd’s market associations

  • Regulatory authorities in the UK and EU

  • Industry groups such as the London Market Group (evolved from the IUA-Lloyd’s Forum)

  • Ownership stake in Xchanging Ins-sure Services (XIS), a back-office processing provider

  • International insurance and reinsurance companies as members

  • Related organizations involved in market modernization, sustainability, and regulatory compliance

This networking supports its mission to modernize the London insurance market and influence public policy

According to the EU Transparency Register, the IUA has declared lobbying expenditures as follows (approximate ranges):

  • Total lobbying costs since registration: €200,000 – €299,999

  • Annual breakdown not publicly detailed in the sources

More precise yearly financial data on lobbying expenditures is not publicly available from the provided information

The IUA engages with multiple EU institutions and regulatory frameworks, including:

  • European Commission (policy and regulatory consultations)

  • European Parliament (legislative advocacy)

  • European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA)

  • Participation in consultations on Solvency II, GDPR, Insurance Distribution Directive, and other insurance-related legislation

  • Monitoring and influencing Brexit-related regulatory changes affecting insurance trade with the EU

The association’s registration in the EU Transparency Register reflects its active engagement with EU structures to represent member interests

Since its EU Transparency Register registration in July 2009, the IUA has participated in numerous meetings with EU officials and stakeholders. Specific meeting details are not fully disclosed in the available sources, but typical meetings involve:

  • Discussions with European Commission and Parliament officials on insurance regulation

  • Consultations on Solvency II equivalence and implementation

  • Engagements on Brexit insurance market implications

  • Meetings on sustainability, cyber risk, and data protection regulations

The IUA’s regular interaction with EU policymakers is integral to its lobbying and advocacy activities

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