Allianz Australia has been named the General Insurance Company of the Year at the 2011 Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance awards in Sydney last week.

Retired QBE Chairman John Cloney took home the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises individuals for their significant contributions towards promoting, advancing or improving industry standards.

Marsh won the Large/International Broker of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year, while Steadfast Executive Chairman Robert Kelly was named the Insurance Leader of the Year.

Other award winners:

Innovation: Cerno
Small broker: Simplex Insurance Solutions
Medium broker: Australian Reliance and IBL Limited
Law firm/practitioner: Minter Ellison
Life insurance Company: CommInsure
Claims service provider: Cerno
Service provider to the insurance industry: Finity Consulting
Service to the community: Specialised Broking Associates
Underwriting agency: Accident and Health International.