Allianz, CGU and QBE are on the shortlist for the National Insurance Brokers Association’s (NIBA) general insurer of the year award.

The three companies were also finalists last year.

The winner is determined through NIBA’s annual Broker Market Survey, in which members rate products and services across a list of categories.

Almost 1000 brokers took part in the survey this year.

“Once again the vote was extremely close and all our finalists are to be commended for the efforts they put into servicing brokers as effectively and efficiently as possible,” NIBA CEO Dallas Booth said.

The winner will be announced next month at the NIBA Convention in Melbourne.

CGU won last year for the first time, while Allianz is looking to break its drought.

The award was introduced in 1998, and QBE won it for 11 consecutive years from 2002-12.