Zurich has won NIBA’s large general insurer award, with NTI crowned best underwriting agency and Liberty the top specialty insurer for the sixth straight year.

The National Insurance Brokers Association presented the annual awards at its convention on the Gold Coast this week.

Zurich says the win is “an absolute honour” and “reflects the relationships our teams have built with [brokers] ... To our general insurance underwriting, claims and state teams – this award is yours. We’re incredibly proud of all that you do for our brokers and customers.”

Winners were determined through the NIBA Broker Market Survey, which this year had a record 1070 responses to questions on overall experience, and product and service quality.

Angela Carter, director at survey partner NielsenIQ, says Zurich “had a strong year, improving on many measures important to brokers like being responsive, trusted and an insurer that brokers are happy to promote to others”.

Liberty led “on the measures brokers value most, making it a trusted partner that delivers on promises”, and NTI – which also won last year – was ahead on “almost every metric insurers are marked on”.

Ms Carter said: “Brokers that use NTI are particularly satisfied and rate them as comparatively stronger than their competitors because they consistently give market-leading account management, underwriting and claims servicing.”

Liberty says its 400 employees play a role insuring more than 20,000 businesses across Australia.

“All of us at Liberty are grateful for the continued trust that brokers place in us, and we are committed to continue delivering the high standards that have earned us this recognition,” Australia president John McCabe said.

“To be acknowledged for six years running is a real privilege and one we don’t take for granted.”