The Insurance Business Awards 2026 has received a turbocharged dose of glamour, courtesy of one of Italy's most iconic sports cars: Maserati. On Friday night, McCarroll's Automotive Group will have one of its Maseratis on display and will also give away a weekend test drive. The test drive is paired with a two-night stay at Chateau Elan, the five-star resort and spa nestled among the Hunter Valley’s wineries and vineyards.
This big nod of approval from one of the gods of Italian motorsport and style comes hot on the heels of news that the awards has sold all of its tickets. About 500 delegates are expected and many are nervously checking the quality of their formal wear and Googling for available Italian tailors. Or can AI fix this one too?
But seriously – as if it wasn’t fashionable and stylish enough already, the awards now has an extra fuel injection of Modena-born Italian chic. Key Media is elated and so are the awards’ major sponsors AAMC, DXC Technology and Xceedance.
“A Maserati and two nights in the Hunter?” said Prateek Vijayvergia (pictured), senior vice president – business leader of Key Accounts in ANZ for Xceedance. “Tempting. I’ll definitely enter.”
However, like all vigilant insurance professionals – including the excellence awardees no doubt – the thought of driving a very exciting and speedy vehicle had Vijayvergia thinking about coverage and risks.
“I’m hoping the test drive comes with zero excess comprehensive insurance,” he said. “Because I’d like my weekend getaway to NOT turn into a claims story on next edition of Insurance Business magazine.”
Vijayvergia needn’t worry. On the awards night and the days following IB will have plenty of positive claims and insurance stories to write about.
There are 22 awards recognising the hard work that’s done across the insurance industry, including by brokers, claims teams, insurers and service providers. In early February, dozens of excellence awardees competing for victory in each category were announced.
One excellence awardee from each category will be named the winner and receive their award and accolades on the big night. But this is an event for the whole industry to come together, have fun and celebrate the good work done by all.
“Awards give us the opportunity to collectively celebrate our best and brightest talents – so sponsoring this? This is home – where else would I rather be, than right here, right now?” said Vijayvergia.
He agreed that the yearly grind of hard but very necessary work that helps protect the community and keep their businesses running needs an arena for proper acknowledgement.
“Because good work deserves a proper celebration,” he said. “Events like this give us the chance to reflect on the progress being made by the industry, and to look to the future together.”
Vijayvergia congratulated Insurance Business for pulling together “an absolute ripper of an event.”
IB looks forward to seeing you all on Friday night — sharp suits, sharper insurance professionals and an Italian wildcard parked in the foyer.
The awards ceremony and gala dinner is at Doltone House in Sydney on May 1. For more information, please visit the website.
