QBE has partnered with insurtech Aurora to launch a fully automated lead algorithmic underwriting capability for complex specialty risks, with the system now live in its Yacht Protection & Indemnity product.
Built with QBE Ventures, the capability runs inside QBE’s own governance, appetite, and operating framework, allowing end-to-end underwriting from submission through to bind.
The companies said this is the first time a major carrier has deployed fully governed lead algorithmic underwriting for complex specialty risks.
The platform automates the main underwriting steps, including intake of unstructured broker submissions, data validation, pricing, appetite checks, document generation, and certificate issuance.
The full broker journey, from submission to bind, now takes under 10 minutes. Previously, it took several days.
For British Marine Yacht P&I, the system delivers immediate certificate issuance, which matters for port entry and departure. It also cuts document generation times from hours to seconds.
On top of that, it gives QBE full auditability, structured data capture, and real-time portfolio insight.
The rollout gives QBE a way to scale specialty portfolios without adding operational headcount, while also giving brokers faster and more consistent underwriting decisions.
James Orchard, chief executive of QBE Ventures, said the partnership shows how close collaboration speeds up meaningful innovation and brings new capabilities to market faster.
He said QBE and Aurora built a fully governed lead algorithmic underwriting capability operating directly inside QBE’s systems, controls, and appetite, something he said the market has not seen before.
Launching with Yacht P&I is the first step in a broader push as digital trading and algorithmic underwriting keep moving forward.
- Kevin Shallow, executive director at QBE International Markets, said speed, accuracy, and reliability are critical in Yacht P&I because brokers and clients often need documentation immediately to keep vessels moving. He said work that once took days now takes minutes, with more consistency, stronger auditability, and richer data behind each decision. He also said the launch reflects coordination across underwriting, operations, and technology teams and should materially improve service for broker partners while supporting portfolio growth.
- Bijal Patel, co-founder of Aurora, said the company has spent the last nine months working with QBE Ventures to build its Algo Underwriting-as-a-Service model, giving insurers a way to adopt lead algorithmic underwriting now rather than years from now. He said embedding the capability directly into QBE’s operations puts both companies ahead of the market. He also credited QBE’s cross-functional collaboration for helping bring the product to launch with speed and precision.
QBE said the capability was co-developed by its underwriting, operations, and technology teams alongside Aurora as part of a wider strategy to expand digital trading and algorithmic underwriting across specialty lines.
