There is a sentence almost every financial adviser has heard. “I trust you. You know more about this than I do.” It sounds like a compliment. In many ways, it is. Trust is earned, particularly in an industry where people place deeply personal financial decisions in another person’s hands.

In South Africa, specialist underwriting and strong governance continue to play a vital role in stabilising portfolios, especially in volatile conditions. The market has depth, experience and regulatory maturity, but it also faces pressure from affordability, claims experience and changing client expectations.

Construction has always been one of the most complex industries to insure. Projects are capital intensive, involve multiple contractors and consultants, and often span several years before reaching completion.

Group Personal Accident insurance did not start out as the broad-based employee benefit we recognise today. Traditionally, it was a selective financial benefit reserved for the insured — in this context, the company — or offered only to the high-income earners within a company.

In today’s increasingly complex and uncertain business environment, investor confidence remains one of the most valuable assets any organisation can possess. Whether investing in listed companies, retirement funds, insurance products or other financial instruments, investors need assurance that the organisations entrusted with their capital are financially sound, well-governed and capable of creating sustainable value.

Emerging industry data estimate that fire losses in South Africa exceeded R8.8 billion during 2024, with fires at industrial and commercial properties accounting for more than R1.6 billion of those losses*. Insurers and brokers are paying closer attention to how fire risks are mitigated and managed, for good reason.

For healthcare brokers, the immediate task is not to predict the final shape of National Health Insurance, but to help clients make sound decisions in a changing and increasingly expensive healthcare environment.

For many financial advisers, regulation can feel like a constantly shifting landscape. New legislation, updated conduct standards, anti-money laundering requirements and the prospect of the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill have created an environment where uncertainty often threatens to overshadow opportunity.

Trust, relevance and distinctive positioning are becoming increasingly important drivers of business value, particularly in insurance, where products, services and benefits can often be difficult for customers to distinguish.

Financial advice has something important in common with fine art: its value rests not only in the outcome, but also in its provenance.

From tracking steps and calories to getting the gains at the gym and taking care of mental and emotional wellness, South Africans have never been more health conscious. At the same time, there is a growing disconnect in how we perceive the systems that protect that health.

In modern vehicles, getting the decision right is only one part of the equation, the quality and precision of the work ultimately determines the outcome. For brokers and insurers, this is the most important stage in a glass claims process, where the correct intervention is determined.

We put some questions to three industry practitioners – asking them to share theirperspectives on the role UMAs continue to play in South Africa, and why specialist underwriting remains such a powerful force within the industry.

For many privately owned insurance brokerages, the business is far more than a legal entity or a book of clients. It is the result of years of personal relationships, trusted advice, insurer partnerships, claims support, staff loyalty and a hard-earned reputation.

The South African insurance landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation with the traditional price-led brokerage model rapidly reaching its expiry date. In its place, a more sophisticated, data-driven advisory model is emerging – one where the broker functions less as a transaction handler and more as a proactive risk partner.

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, South African businesses face escalating risks — not only to their data but also to their physical assets and operational continuity. While automation and digitalisation bring opportunities for growth and efficiency, they also introduce new vulnerabilities, including the risk of physical damage and business interruption caused by cyberattacks.