A Coverholder is a company or partnership authorised to enter into a contract of insurance on behalf of a Lloyd’s syndicate in accordance with the terms of a binding authority. Coverholders are Lloyd’s trusted distribution partners around the world. The strength of the partnership lies in the combination of the local business knowledge and strong relationships of the coverholder with the local market together with the underwriting expertise and financial security of the Lloyd’s market.

A service company operates like a coverholder but is a wholly owned subsidiary of a managing agent or its group. Unlike a coverholder, a service company is able to sub-delegate underwriting authority to other coverholders.

Except from placing risk with Lloyd’s through Service companies and Coverholders, Lloyds is a broker market that can be reached only via a licenced Lloyd’s broker. The business is conducted on an open market basis. To get in touch with a Lloyd’s broker use our market directory below.