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Broking profits fall at Saga
Underlying profit before tax in Saga’s insurance broking arm fell to £39.8m for the year ended 31 January 2024, compared with £71.5m in the previous period.
Takeover target Direct Line posts £189m operating loss
Direct Line Group has revealed a £189.5m loss from ongoing operations as the sale of NIG pushed the insurer into profit for 2023.
Broker worries bubbling up on Ageas-Direct Line but one hope trumps all
Brokers have raised concerns about the impact on the sector if Ageas snaps up Direct Line but expressed confidence in the potential buyer’s management should a deal come to pass.
Interview: Henry Topham, Allianz
As Allianz rebrands its digital motor insurance product Flow, Insurance Age caught up with managing director of UK retail Henry Topham to hear about his route into insurance and what benefits brokers get from the provider’s omni-channel approach.
Direct Line rejects second “unattractive” takeover offer from Ageas
Direct Line Group has rejected a second takeover proposal from Ageas labelling it uncertain, unattractive and highly opportunistic.
Home insurance prices jump 40% in a year
The average quoted price of home insurance increased by 40.6% in the 12 months to January – the highest annual increase since Consumer Intelligence began tracking prices in 2014.
JMG buys Madoc & Rhodes
JM Glendinning Insurance Brokers has purchased Birmingham-based Madoc & Rhodes, adding to its growing portfolio.
Motor insurance complaints to FOS climb again
Motor insurance has remained in the top five most-complained-about products with buildings insurance also joining the list, according to the Financial Ombudsman Service as it released data for October to December last year.
Biba adds Iprism for high value home scheme
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has appointed Iprism Underwriting to provide members with access to a high value home insurance scheme, Insurance Age can reveal.
Ageas weighs up £3.1bn Direct Line bid
Ageas has confirmed a possible offer for Direct Line Insurance Group valuing the business at £3.1bn.
Ageas reveals 20% UK GWP growth in 2023
Ageas has reported a 20% hike in UK gross written premiums to €1.49bn (£1.27bn) for 2023, as profits in the European division rose.
Holmes promises to ramp up focus on smaller brokers and across mid-market
Allianz has been growing in SME business and will push ahead further with smaller brokers this year alongside targeting growth in mid-market, according to UK CEO Colm Holmes.
Insurance surge of 28% drives 2023 revenue growth at Moneysupermarket
Aggregator Moneysupermarket grew insurance revenue by 28% to £220m last year as group revenue rose 11%.
Profile: Kelly Ogley, Howden – Growth strategy
Kelly Ogley, CEO of Howden Consumer and Local Commercial, outlines the firm’s growth strategy and urges women to back themselves.
Acturis seals personal lines win with First2Protect
Acturis has partnered with home, landlord and tenant insurance broker First2Protect after a competitive tender process.
Lloyds Banks’ LDC takes stake in Uinsure
LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has invested in Top 100 Broker Uinsure.
Home premiums up 4% in Q4 2023 – ABI
The average price of home insurance rose 4% in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the latest Household Premium Tracker from the Association of British Insurers.
Fitch: Improving outlook for insurers but no room for complacency
The effect of “baked in” pricing improvements and easing economic headwinds gives an improving outlook for insurers this year, but will only make it less bad than 2023, according to Fitch.
Amazon to shut Insurance Store after just over a year
Amazon is closing its UK Insurance Store, which was launched with great fanfare in October 2022.
Qmetric reveals £41m loss in run-up to sale
Policy Expert owner Qmetric lost £41.06m last financial year ahead of being bought by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which has gone on to invest £35m in the business.
Biba launches three claims guides for members
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has unveiled three claims guides for members to use, to help customers better navigate the claims process for home, motor and travel insurance.