Several of the winners at last week’s Australian Insurance Industry Awards night in Sydney had additional reasons to celebrate their achievements.

Allianz Australia was crowned best large general insurance company for the fourth year in a row, while Aon took the large broker of the year award for the third consecutive year.

Brooklyn Underwriting Agency also made it three in a row with its win in the underwriting agency category.

National Transport Insurance (NTI) achieved a double-double, winning the small-medium insurance company and claims service provider categories for the second consecutive year.

And Planned Cover won the medium broker award, having won the small broker award as IBL last year.

Insurance lawyer Michael Gill, who is President of the International Insurance Law Association, won the lifetime achievement award. Mr Gill, a DLA Piper consultant and former partner with 38 years at the firm, was recognised for his commitment to developing insurance law in Australia and abroad, his thought leadership and pro-bono work.

Phil Hay, Head of Life Insurance at BT Financial Group, was named insurance leader of the year.

Other winners at the awards night, which is organised and hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, were:

• Best life insurance company: CommInsure
• Small broker of the year:  Parmia Insurance
• Law firm: DLA Piper
• Service provider to the insurance industry: Taylor Fry
• Innovation: CelsiusPro (Aust) and Gratex International
• ANZIIF Women’s Council employer of the year: Swiss Re
• Generation i youth development and employer of the year: Sportscover.