Hot on the heels of Allianz UK winning the British Insurer of the Year awards last week, Allianz Australia has been named as a finalist in the Australian and New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.

Coming in close behind Allianz UK in London was QBE, which is also a finalist for the local award, which is organised by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.

Suncorp is the third finalist for the award, which will be announced at the annual awards gala night in Sydney on August 12.

The life insurance company award finalists are CommInsure, MLC and Westpac Life Services. Munich Re, RGA, Swiss Re and General Re will compete for the title of Reinsurance Company of the Year.

The “Insurance Leader” category finalists are Vero NZ CEO Roger Bell, Chartis CEO Chris Townsend and IAG CEO Mike Wilkins.

Other finalists:

Large broker: Aon, Marsh, OAMPS.

Small-medium broker: Australian Reliance, IBL, SBA.

Underwriting agency: Brooklyn Underwriting, Global Transport & Automotive Insurance Solutions, Sportscover.

Risk manager/team: Country Fire Authority, Guild Insurance, Westfield Group.

Loss adjuster: Crawford & Company, Cunningham Lindsey, Stream New Zealand.

Law firm/practitioner: HWL Ebsworth, Minter Ellison, Moray and Agnew.

Innovation: Country Fire Authority, Crawford & Company, LMI Group.

Service provider: Crawford & Company, Finity Consulting, Recoveries Corporation Group, LMI Group.

Services to the community: AMI Insurance, State Insurance, Territory Insurance Office.

Treasurer’s award for good governance and practice: Marsh, Zurich Financial Services Australia.