Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Insurance Partner in London
Pen Underwriting is one of the UK's leading managing general agents (MGAs) with a clear vision to become a 1.75bn gross written premium (GWP) underwriting and distribution business by 2030. Since 2014, we have built a multi-class, multi-territory virtual insurer that combines the capabilities of a traditional insurance company with the entrepreneurial energy and niche expertise characteristic of MGAs. As one of the largest UK-headquartered MGAs, we manage approximately 1bn GWP and operate across diverse sectors including professional indemnity, cyber, marine, and hazardous industries. Our specialisms extend to property owners, public sector entities, and specialist household risks, with over 30% of our business originating outside the UK. We have expanded our physical presence into Europe through teams in Norway and the Republic of Ireland, while maintaining a strong focus on strategic acquisitions and cultural alignment.Our collaborative culture prioritises quality underwriting, responsive service, and innovation to deliver value for brokers, customers, and capacity providers. We actively invest in talent development and technological advancements to ensure accessible, timely coverage for policyholders. Our 'One Pen Underwriting' culture fosters inclusivity and ethical practices, supported by community initiatives and a commitment to diversity. With 12 offices across the UK and a growing international footprint, we provide brokers with flexible trading options through our Pen Underwriting Central platform and agency networks. Our executive team, led by CEO Tom Downey, brings decades of combined experience in underwriting and distribution, driving our mission to become the leading MGA in the UK and EMEA region.
Services
Professional Indemnity
Cyber Insurance
Marine Insurance
Property Owners
Hazardous Goods
Financial Lines
Commercial Combined
Public Sector Risks
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We manage 1bn gross written premium across 60+ insurance products
- Our 12 UK offices provide local underwriting expertise with international reach
- We offer 24/7 online trading through our Pen Underwriting Central platform
- Our executive team brings decades of MGA and insurance market experience
- We maintain strategic partnerships with leading capacity providers
Services
Professional Indemnity
Our professional indemnity insurance protects businesses against claims arising from professional negligence or breach of duty. We specialise in tailored solutions for law firms, accountants, and consultants across the UK and Europe. With 25 years' experience in solicitors' PI and strategic partnerships like Bridgehaven, we offer comprehensive coverage including cyber extortion response and business interruption protection.
Cyber Insurance
Our cyber insurance solutions address evolving digital risks with coverage for data breaches, business interruption, and cyber extortion. We provide enhanced protection features including doubled business interruption restoration periods and sub-limit removal for simplified claims. Available through our Pen Underwriting Central platform with 24/7 online access for brokers and policyholders.
Marine Insurance
We offer specialist marine insurance for commercial vessels, cargo, and port operations. Our policies cover hull and machinery risks, protection and indemnity (P&I), and freight forwarding liabilities. With underwriting expertise in complex marine risks and access to international capacity partners, we serve shipping companies and logistics providers across key trade routes.
Property Owners
Our property owners' insurance provides comprehensive protection for commercial buildings and contents. Coverage includes fire, flood, theft, and business interruption risks with flexible terms for multi-site portfolios. We cater to landlords, housing associations, and commercial property investors with tailored risk management solutions and claims support.
Hazardous Goods
We specialise in insurance for hazardous materials transportation and environmental risks. Our coverage includes tankers, chemical spills, and pollution liability with bespoke terms for high-risk industries. Backed by specialist underwriters and capacity partners, we provide comprehensive protection for logistics companies and industrial operators handling dangerous goods.
People
Tom Downey
Chief Executive Officer
Tom Downey leads Pen Underwriting's strategic growth as CEO with over 25 years' experience in insurance and financial services. He has driven the company's expansion into new markets while maintaining its entrepreneurial culture. His leadership focuses on underwriting excellence and broker partnerships.
Questions
What insurance products does Pen offer?
We provide professional indemnity, cyber, marine, property owners, hazardous goods, financial lines, commercial combined, and public sector insurance solutions through our Pen Central platform.
Which regions does Pen operate in?
We operate across the UK with 12 offices, plus international teams in Norway and the Republic of Ireland, serving clients in EMEA and global markets through strategic partnerships.
How can brokers access Pen's products?
Brokers can access our 60+ products through Pen Central's online platform with no setup costs, or via our agency network with single TOBA arrangements for multiple products.
What makes Pen different from other MGAs?
We combine £1bn GWP scale with entrepreneurial agility, specialist underwriting expertise across 60+ products, and a collaborative culture focused on broker partnerships and innovation.
Does Pen offer cyber insurance coverage?
Yes, our cyber insurance includes business interruption protection, sub-limit removal, and cyber extortion response features available through our 24/7 online trading platform.
How does Pen support its broker partners?
We provide brokers with flexible trading options, competitive terms through capacity partnerships, and dedicated sales teams operating across the UK and Europe.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Jon Hanreck
Apr 05, 2022
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Six figure escape of water claim. It took almost 2 months from first contact to get their loss adjuster on site. Five months to simply remove floor coverings in order to inspect damage and cause. 13 months to accept liability (after initially attempting to limit their liability based on their own surveyor's findings, which were so patently misleading that even a layman like myself was able to pick holes in it).
Still no interim loss of rent payment 14 months on - despite claim having been accepted. "Miscalculations" always in their own favour. Getting any response to even the most basic enquiries takes months. Their own loss adjusters cannot get responses and are relying on complaints procedures. I'm finding decent surveyors are reluctant to take on jobs which require them to deal with PEN. There is not one redeeming thing about this insurance company. Nothing at all.
Still no interim loss of rent payment 14 months on - despite claim having been accepted. "Miscalculations" always in their own favour. Getting any response to even the most basic enquiries takes months. Their own loss adjusters cannot get responses and are relying on complaints procedures. I'm finding decent surveyors are reluctant to take on jobs which require them to deal with PEN. There is not one redeeming thing about this insurance company. Nothing at all.
Derick Turner
Mar 14, 2022
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We have been waiting three months for our travel claim to be looked at. Today they finally provided feedback saying we need to send proof of government directive to return home. Their policy makes no mention of this, so I try and dispute it with them. Thirty minutes on hold and a 10-minute authentication process later, they dropped my call. Back in line for me, not even able to get through to them.
Back to emails now, which doesn't give me any hope since, in 3 months, I had a total of 2 emails and one call from them. I am strongly considering going to the Financial Ombudsman about this. Please save yourself the pain and stay away from this instance company.
Back to emails now, which doesn't give me any hope since, in 3 months, I had a total of 2 emails and one call from them. I am strongly considering going to the Financial Ombudsman about this. Please save yourself the pain and stay away from this instance company.
Hazel Nguyen Pianist
Jan 04, 2022
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It is unbelievable that any insurance company who accepted liability has not released any funds for the victims. They left the victims in such an unsecured situation and financial ruin. The fire happened more than two months ago, and we have not received any payment for the accommodation, alternative clothing and necessity replacement. There is hardly any communication, support or action from the insurance company, while the victims are left worrying about their necessities from one day to another.
One would wonder how an ordinary family with children would have survived in this situation? I assume that we are not discriminated against just because we are two able adults who can cope better than most vulnerable families. Then, it is even more disgusting if all victim families are suffering this because of the incompetent system provided by the insurance network, which has been obviously overlooked by the law and well hidden from the public's eyes.
One would wonder how an ordinary family with children would have survived in this situation? I assume that we are not discriminated against just because we are two able adults who can cope better than most vulnerable families. Then, it is even more disgusting if all victim families are suffering this because of the incompetent system provided by the insurance network, which has been obviously overlooked by the law and well hidden from the public's eyes.
Neil Armstrong
Oct 19, 2021
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Horrendous company and service. I first called to raise my issue on 11th February. today is 25th October and the issue remains unresolved. I call every couple of weeks to be promised a never ending list of call backs which never materialise. I called last week to raise a complaint and called today to follow up, only to be told the complaint was raised incorrectly by previous advisor. I asked today for the details of the Ombudsman and the advisor did not know if they were covered by an Ombudsman, let alone the ombudsman's contact details. Shocking.
H. Lakhani
Dec 07, 2020
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Sent me a very unprofessional email response to a serious enquiry with an informal response filled with open questions. I am hoping the company has official standardised forms with their letterhead as requested. Should they not deal with this appropriately, I am currently thinking about prosecuting the firm that has caused the damages, signature fraud, etc in the first place and may report Pen Underwriting for non compliance as well.
Let's see how it goes - I may change my review based on how the matter is dealt with. Unprofessional so far, but should not have come as a surprise considering the kind of firm that was insured with them now struck off by the SRA.
Let's see how it goes - I may change my review based on how the matter is dealt with. Unprofessional so far, but should not have come as a surprise considering the kind of firm that was insured with them now struck off by the SRA.
James Kempton
Nov 13, 2020
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Critical: Professionalism, Quality, Value The worst insurance company I've ever dealt with. Very unprofessional and unhelpful with zero communication internally to help customers.
Will Chamberlin
Apr 07, 2020
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Avoid at all costs. This is by far the worst experience with insurance I have ever had. They underwrite my production company policy through another broker. Since my claim has been moved to them it has been months with no progress, never take my call or are "away from their desk", slow to reply to email and only respond when I chase with my insurance broker. Each person I dealt with has been very unprofessional with zero communication.
Their delay is costing my business as I hire in replacements for the damaged equipment. Now payment has been approved they are late and past the promised date that the funds would be moved across. They make promises that are constantly unfulfilled and treat clients with such contempt I wonder how they are still in business.
Their delay is costing my business as I hire in replacements for the damaged equipment. Now payment has been approved they are late and past the promised date that the funds would be moved across. They make promises that are constantly unfulfilled and treat clients with such contempt I wonder how they are still in business.
