QBE, a global insurer, has partnered with Aurora to launch a fully automated lead algorithmic underwriting capability for complex specialty risks, now live within its Yacht Protection & Indemnity product.
Developed with QBE Ventures, the capability operates within QBE’s own governance, appetite and operational framework, enabling end-to-end underwriting from submission through to bind.
The launch marks what the firms describe as the first deployment of fully governed lead algorithmic underwriting for complex specialty risks within a major carrier.
The platform automates key underwriting stages, including ingestion of unstructured broker submissions, data validation, pricing and appetite checks, document generation and certificate issuance. The full broker journey—from submission to bind—can now be completed in under ten minutes, compared to several days previously.
For the British Marine Yacht P&I product, the capability delivers immediate certificate issuance, a critical requirement for port entry and departure, while significantly reducing document generation times from hours to seconds. It also provides full auditability, structured data capture and real-time portfolio insights.
The development allows QBE to scale specialty portfolios without increasing operational headcount, while delivering faster and more consistent underwriting decisions to brokers.
James Orchard, CEO, QBE Ventures, said, “This partnership demonstrates how strong collaboration accelerates meaningful innovation for QBE and brings new capabilities to market at pace. By working closely with Aurora, we have delivered a fully governed lead algorithmic underwriting capability that operates directly within QBE’s systems, controls and appetite – something the industry has not seen before. Launching with Yacht P&I is an important first step, and this approach positions QBE ahead of the market as digital trading and algorithmic underwriting continue to evolve.”
Kevin Shallow, Executive Director, QBE International Markets, said, “In Yacht P&I, speed, accuracy and reliability are critical, our brokers and clients often need documentation immediately to keep vessels moving. What previously took days can now be completed in minutes, with greater consistency, clearer auditability and richer data behind every decision. It reflects the strength of QBE’s innovative culture and the collaboration across our underwriting, operations and technology teams. This will materially enhance the service we provide to our broker partners and support the continued growth of the portfolio.”
Bijal Patel, Co-Founder, Aurora, said, “Over the last nine months, Aurora has worked closely with QBE Ventures to develop our Algo Underwriting-as-a-Service model, allowing insurers to adopt lead algorithmic underwriting today, not five years from now. Embedding this capability directly into QBE’s operations positions both organisations ahead of the market. QBE’s cross-functional collaboration has been exceptional in bringing this to life with real pace and precision. We’re grateful for their openness to innovation and the collective effort that enabled the successful launch of QBE’s first lead algo product, Yacht P&I.”
QBE said the capability was co-developed across its underwriting, operations and technology teams alongside Aurora, forming part of its broader strategy to advance digital trading and algorithmic underwriting across specialty lines.
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