Recent industry research* published in the trade press confirms what brokers consistently tell us when placing commercial combined risks: speed of response, clear communication, consistent underwriting decisions and access to experienced underwriters are critical to getting business placed effectively.
At NBS Underwriting, these priorities have always shaped how we support brokers day to day.
Fast turnaround times are consistently highlighted as a priority for brokers. At NBS, our current turnaround time is two hours, helping brokers move quickly in a competitive market.
Importantly, speed never comes at the expense of underwriting judgement. We don’t use automated declines. Every submission is reviewed by an underwriter, and where a risk isn’t something we can support, brokers are informed promptly and given a clear explanation. That transparency helps brokers make informed decisions without unnecessary delay.
Commercial Combined risks are rarely straightforward and forcing them into predefined boxes rarely leads to the best outcome. Our quote journey is built to reflect that reality, allowing brokers to flag disclosure challenges, explain complex or unusual aspects of a risk, and add meaningful context using free-format fields and case notes.
As a result, each risk is assessed individually, with decisions driven by underwriting judgement rather than inflexible criteria.
All enquiries at NBS are reviewed by experienced, empowered underwriters, not data inputters restricted by system rules.
We also actively encourage conversation. Brokers are welcome to discuss a risk with an underwriter before placing it on the system, allowing early dialogue around appetite, structure and approach. These conversations often lead to smoother placements and clearer outcomes for everyone involved.
The research also highlighted food and beverage risks as one of the more challenging classes to place. For NBS, this is an area of established experience.
Our underwriting heritage in the SME market means food and drink businesses are a familiar class, approached with a practical understanding of the sector and its risk profile. Each risk is still assessed carefully, but brokers can be confident they are dealing with a team that understands the nuances involved.
For brokers, trust is built through consistency. Clear communication, predictable service standards and access to real underwriting expertise all contribute to long-term relationships.
At NBS, our focus remains on:
It’s a straightforward approach – but one that continues to matter.
Looking ahead, we’re continuing to invest in technology that supports brokers rather than adding friction. We’re developing AI-enabled submission technology to accept manual submissions for commercial combined, intelligently mapping risk data to our portal question set. The aim is simple: to reduce rekeying, remove duplication and make it easier for brokers to submit risks in the way that works best for them. Coming soon — watch this space.
Find out more about our commercial combined insurance product
* Source: Insurance Age – “Survey: Rebuilding trust in commercial combined”, January 2026.
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