Simplyhealth has been named the top performer in Insurance DataLab’s inaugural Insurer Performance Index, achieving an overall score of 822 out of 1,000 and securing its place as an Insurance DataLab Recommended Insurer. While AIG is the highest ranked multi-line insurer.
These insurers are joined by a small group of high-performing peers, with just nine insurers recognised, reflecting their ability to deliver consistently strong results across all four pillars of performance.
Meet the Recommended Insurers
- Simplyhealth – 822
- AIG – 789
- Starr International (Europe) – 772
- Alwyn – 768
- Sabre – 764
- Acromas – 736
- AA Underwriting – 713
- Highway – 703
- Hiscox – 702
Simplyhealth is the top-rated recommended insurer with an overall Index Score of 822.
The medical specialist performs strongly across all four pillars, with a complaints score of 885 – the second highest in the analysis – providing a key driver of its overall ranking.
This strong performance was driven by a low FCA complaints volume of just 0.94 per 1,000 policies against an average of 5.82, with a better-than-average upheld rate of 35%.
The insurer also reported a market-leading Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) upheld rate for medical expenses of 9%, alongside just 12 complaints referred to the ombudsman in 2025.
Claims performance is also positive, with a score of 803, reflecting consistently high acceptance rates and minimal dispute levels.
The insurer was rated particularly highly for its capital position, with a solvency coverage ratio of 351% earning it a solvency score of 927 – placing it just outside the top 10% of insurers in this analysis.
Underwriting is more modest, with a score of 639 and an Insurance DataLab Underwriting Rating of 65.3%. However, the insurer returned to underwriting profitability in its latest SFCR, reporting a combined operating ratio (COR) of 96.9% after three years of losses.
A new definition of insurer performance
The Recommended Insurer designation is based on Insurance DataLab’s new Insurer Performance Index, which assesses insurers across four key pillars – claims, complaints, solvency and underwriting.
To be recognised, insurers must not only achieve a top quartile ranking overall, but also demonstrate consistent performance across each individual pillar.
This reflects a shift in how performance is defined across the market.
While financial strength remains important, increasing regulatory scrutiny under Consumer Duty means brokers must now evidence that placement decisions deliver good customer outcomes – not just competitive pricing or capacity.
The insurers recognised here are those that balance financial resilience with strong delivery in practice, combining underwriting discipline and capital strength with consistent claims handling and positive customer outcomes.
Full results, including detailed breakdowns for each Recommended Insurer, are available in the Insurer Performance & Conduct Report, which can be downloaded for free here. Copies of the report, which is created in partnership with BIBA and sponsored by SSP, will also be available from the Insurance DataLab stand (G65) at the BIBA Conference.
Supporting more defensible placement decisions
Under Consumer Duty, firms are expected to demonstrate that insurer selection is based on clear, objective evidence and supports good customer outcomes.
The Recommended Insurer designation provides a practical way to support this process, identifying those insurers that deliver consistently strong performance across all areas.
These insights are also embedded within Insurance DataLab’s Security Committee-in-a-Box tool, enabling brokers to incorporate performance data directly into their placement decisions.
Get in touch to request a personalised demo, and learn how Insurance DataLab can help you make better placement decisions.
Click here to arrange a time to meet Matt or Dan at BIBA or to request a demo.
If you are one of our inaugural Recommended Insurers and would like a license to use this independent endorsement, contact Dan King at dan@insurancedatalab.com.