Comparing LawInsure with the open-market specialist route

LawInsure is a productised solicitors' PI facility branded and marketed by Gallagher. It works well for firms that fit its underwriting mandate. Firms outside that mandate — specialist practices, difficult-risk cases, non-standard structures — typically need alternative open-market placement. This page compares the two.

How a productised facility like LawInsure works

1. Branded facility. A defined product with named-panel insurers, marketed under a specific brand.
2. Underwritten by a specified panel. LawInsure specifies its underwriter security ranking as part of the product proposition.
3. Volume-based scheme mechanics. Scheme-eligible firms access member-specific pricing.
4. Facility mandate constraints. Firms outside the mandate can't be placed through the facility.

When a productised facility route fits well

1. Standard commercial or general practice firm.
2. Clean claims history and moderate conveyancing volume.
3. Firm size within facility rating bands.
4. Firms valuing single-facility simplicity.

When the open-market specialist route fits better

1. Firms outside the LawInsure underwriting mandate. Difficult-risk, unusual practice mix, historic claims patterns.
2. Firms wanting access to insurers outside the LawInsure panel. Broader insurer choice = different rating dynamics.
3. Layered programmes above SRA MTC minimum. Specialist market for excess layers.
4. Multi-partner firms with individual claims histories.
5. Firms with material long-tail exposure. Historic BSA-touching conveyancing, corporate litigation, class-action defence work.
6. Firms wanting independent advice not filtered through a specific facility book position.

What Apex's open-market route offers

1. Access to the same Lloyd's syndicates that underwrite LawInsure via Apex's wholesale relationships.
2. Plus a wider Qualifying Insurer set — direct company market relationships not constrained by a single facility mandate.
3. Independent broker relationship — advice reflects the whole market, not the facility's book position.
4. Named-broker model — same person from first quote through renewals and any claim.
5. Director-level attention on notifications and complex placements.

Comparison questions to test the facility route

1. What's the LawInsure panel actually including? Which Lloyd's syndicates specifically, and what security rating.
2. Can I access the same syndicates outside the facility? Wholesale broker route typically yes.
3. What insurers am I excluded from by choosing the facility? Ask specifically; often the facility mandate is narrower than the full SRA Qualifying Insurer set.
4. What happens if my profile drifts outside the facility mandate? Difficult-risk cases exit the facility to open market anyway.
5. Can I get a comparison quote from the open market? Free; tells you where the facility sits.

Common firm profiles who fit better with open-market

1. Solicitors' firm with claims-loss history. Specialist Lloyd's wholesale route with full remediation-narrative presentation.
2. Conveyancing-heavy firm. Higher-rating placements often better served by specialist broker with multiple insurer relationships.
3. Firms wanting layered programme above MTC minimum. Excess layers commonly sourced from wholesale Lloyd's markets.
4. Firms with historic BSA-touching residential conveyancing. Extended-tail exposure needs specialist market attention.
5. Firms crossing into non-mainstream practice. Immigration, tax, corporate services, arbitration.

Frequently asked

Related reading

• Solicitors sector pillar
• Alternative to Law Society partner PI broker route
• Non-Marsh solicitor market map
• Solicitors 1 October PI renewal shock