Daines Kapp, an independent brokerage founded in 1989 and based in Ware, Hertfordshire, has been shortlisted in two categories at the Insurance Times Awards 2026: Commercial Lines Broker of the Year and Excellence in AI. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on the evening of Wednesday 2 December 2026 at Grosvenor House, London.

This is the firm’s third national awards shortlisting of 2026. Earlier in the year Daines Kapp was named a finalist for Insurance Broker of the Year and Small Broker of the Year at the British Insurance Awards, and for Commercial Lines Insurance Broker of the Year and Insurance Broker of the Year for London & the South East at the UK Broker Awards. Across the three programmes the firm has now been shortlisted in six categories, each selected by a separate independent judging panel.

About the Insurance Times Awards 2026

The Insurance Times Awards are hosted by Insurance Times, one of the UK general insurance market’s leading trade titles, and recognise achievement across broking, underwriting, claims and technology. Judging takes place in two stages: a written entry, followed by a live presentation to the judging panel for each category in which a firm is shortlisted.

What the judges were shown

Both entries rest on the same foundation: an independent broker of thirteen people that has produced bespoke, plain-English advice for every client since 1989, and that has used new tools to do that better rather than more cheaply.

For Commercial Lines Broker of the Year, the judges considered the way the firm has grown through the value of its advice rather than simply through growth in the premiums it places; its approach to uninsured exposures, in which every renewal report carries a Traffic Light review so that clients can see where their cover stops and make informed decisions; consultancy-grade reviews of larger businesses’ insurance programmes of the kind usually associated with national brokers; a named adviser for every client with continuity of cover behind them; and a long-standing commitment to developing our own people through apprenticeships.

For Excellence in AI, the judges considered how a small firm has built its own tools rather than buying them, and applied them where they improve what clients receive: clearer and faster bespoke advice, a simpler claims experience, and better-supported learning for the next generation of brokers. Throughout, a qualified broker reviews and approves every client-facing document, and the hours the technology saves are spent with clients. We have also published analysis of what frontier AI development means for UK businesses and their insurance, and launched a dedicated AI insurance service for clients whose own use of AI creates new exposures.

“Three national shortlists in one year is a remarkable thing for an independent broker of our size. The Insurance Times Awards recognise two sides of the same coin for us: the quality of our commercial advice, and our willingness to use new technology carefully, with a human expert always making the final call.”

Stefan Daines, Broking Director, Daines Kapp

What happens next

Shortlisted firms present to the judges in October, with a separate presentation for each category. The winners are announced at the ceremony at Grosvenor House on 2 December 2026, and we will share the outcome here and on our Awards page.

What this means for our clients

Awards do not arrange anyone’s insurance, but they do provide an independent check on the way a firm works. Being examined by three separate judging panels in a single year, on commercial advice, regional service and the responsible use of technology, gives clients external assurance that the advice and service Daines Kapp provides stands comparison with the largest firms in the market. If you would like to talk to the team about business insurance, construction insurance or private client cover, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Times Awards 2026

Which categories has Daines Kapp been shortlisted for at the Insurance Times Awards 2026?

Commercial Lines Broker of the Year and Excellence in AI.

When and where is the Insurance Times Awards 2026 ceremony?

On the evening of Wednesday 2 December 2026 at Grosvenor House, London.

How many awards has Daines Kapp been shortlisted for in 2026?

Six categories across three programmes: the British Insurance Awards (Insurance Broker of the Year and Small Broker of the Year), the UK Broker Awards (Commercial Lines Insurance Broker of the Year and Insurance Broker of the Year for London & the South East) and the Insurance Times Awards (Commercial Lines Broker of the Year and Excellence in AI).

How does Daines Kapp use AI?

In targeted areas that make things clearer for clients, such as documentation and educational material, with a qualified adviser reviewing and taking responsibility for every recommendation. We also advise businesses on how their own use of AI is treated by their insurance policies.

Thank You

Recognition like this follows from the trust our clients place in us and from the work of every member of our team. Thank you to both. We look forward to representing independent broking at Grosvenor House in December.