At The Insurance Network’s Delegated Authority Strategy Day in April, Amy-Louise Budd, Head of Delegated Authority at PoloWorks, shared a candid take on the stubborn challenges surrounding bordereaux data, and how the industry can move forward. 

Her message was clear: technology isn’t the barrier. Culture, communication, and data ownership are. 

Get it right at the start 

“We can put AI or RPA over every part of the process, retrieving, cleansing, reporting,” Amy-Louise said. “But it all falls apart if the data at the source isn’t right.” 

This is where brokers and coverholders play a critical role. Amy-Louise believes that better engagement at the start of the data journey would resolve most downstream issues. It’s not just about tech, it’s about ownership. 

• Brokers can help validate and review bordereaux before submission. 
• Insurers should provide feedback to coverholders, using data insights to drive improvements. 
• Workshops and hands-on sessions should be standard, not exceptional. 

Where DA sits matters 

Amy-Louise also highlighted an organisational challenge: where Delegated Authority sits within the business. 

“When DA is part of underwriting, data quality gets attention. When it’s buried in compliance, it often drops down the priority list, and so does funding for systems.” 

She pointed to a trend: firms with DA sat within underwriting typically see more stakeholder buy-in and faster progress on bordereaux quality. 

Tech won’t solve culture gaps 

While newer firms often adapt faster due to modern systems and smaller teams, more established businesses face barriers from outdated platforms and fragmented data. In some cases, core data is split across silos, leaving portfolio-level insights untapped. 

The solution isn’t waiting for a market-wide fix. “Insurers need to take responsibility for their own portfolios and their own systems. Don’t wait for a Lloyd’s mandate.” 

Bordereaux deserves more respect 

Finally, Amy-Louise called out a perception problem. 

“Too many still see bordereaux as an entry-level task. It’s not. These are skilled roles, managing critical data. Processing bordereaux isn’t admin. It’s underwriting and claims intelligence in action.” 

And when outsourcing, the same standards should apply. “Don’t hand it off to people who don’t understand an insurance contract.” 

At PoloWorks, that means making sure delegated data is handled by professionals who understand bordereaux and live and breathe the detail, because that’s where risk lives, too. 

Find out more about Amy-Louise and the PoloWorks Delegated Authority Practice here.