The finalists for this year’s Australian Insurance Industry Awards have been announced.

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) awards, now in their 12th year, recognise the industry’s best individuals and businesses.

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford says they are “an opportunity for the Australian insurance industry to join together to celebrate achievement and community”.

“The awards play a vital role in recognising and promoting the contribution of our industry and the work individuals and businesses undertake to ensure the community is well served,” she said.

The finalists for each category are:

• Small broker of the year: Consult Insurance Solutions, Simplex Insurance Solutions
• Medium broker of the year: GSA Insurance Brokers, Planned Cover, Scott Winton Insurance Brokers
• Large broker of the year: Aon, JLT, Marsh, Willis Australia
• Underwriting agency of the year: All Parks Insurance, Brooklyn Underwriting, Dual Australia, PetSure Australia
• Small-medium general insurance company of the year: Hospitality Employers Mutual, National Transport Insurance
• Large general insurance company of the year: Allianz, CGU, QBE
• Life insurance company of the year: AIA Australia, CommInsure, MLC, TAL
• Innovation of the year: Allianz, Aon, Gratex International
• Professional services firm of the year: Barry.Nilsson Lawyers, DLA Piper, Finity, Minter Ellison
• Service provider to the insurance industry: Gratex International, JB Hi-Fi, Recoveriescorp
• Women’s employer of the year: BT Financial Group, IAG, TAL
• Youth development employer of the year: Ansvar Insurance, BT Financial Group, Munich Re
• Young insurance professional of the year: Victoria Norden (Auto & General), Katherine Ashby (BT Financial Group), Chris Healey (Swiss Re) and Alexandra Blannin-Ferguson (Willis Australia).

Professional services firm of the year and young insurance professional of the year are first-time categories. A third proposed new category, direct general insurance company, was not offered due to an insufficient number of nominations.

The claims provider category is also not included this year. An ANZIIF spokesman says “a claims-related criterion will instead feature in the insurer categories”.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on August 19.