QBE Mercantile Mutual (now QBE Commercial) has won the National Insurance Brokers Association’s (NIBA) General Insurer of the Year Award for the third time in a row.

The award, announced during the opening ceremony of the NIBA Convention in Perth on Sunday, is regarded as the most meaningful of several similar awards because it is decided by brokers and does not require a panel of judges, nominations or self-nominations. 

ING sold its 50% share in QBE Mercantile Mutual to QBE Insurance in May.

Group GM Terry Ibbotson, who has run the company since its formation in April 1999, says winning the award was “perfect timing” as QBE Merc changes its name to QBE Commercial.

“It’s nice for the staff to go out with another award for QBE Mercantile Mutual, and now the challenge is to maintain our excellence and win the award next year as QBE Commercial.”

Mr Ibbotson says the award reflects the group’s ability to understand the needs of brokers and make its products and services accessible. “This also reflects our strong team of professionals who really do count for a lot of the group’s success.”

He says the group has much in store for the next six months, including more commercial lines such as aviation, marine, professional indemnity, corporate and workers’ compensation. It will also streamline broker access to all QBE products through an initiative called Access QBE.

Mr Ibbotson told Sunrise Exchange News that winning the nationwide award has capped off a successful year for the group. “Perhaps it’s only fitting that we go out with a bang at NIBA, as we actually launched the company at the NIBA Convention in 1999.”

Runners-up included (in no particular order) AIG, Chubb and Zurich.