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Direct Line rejects second bid from Ageas

Direct Line has rejected a second takeover approach from Belgium’s Ageas, with a spokesperson for the provider known it's red telephone on wheels mascot claiming it's rival continues to “significantly undervalue” the business.

Could premium finance face Gap-like FCA action?

After the Financial Conduct Authority’s Matt Brewis labelled premium finance a “poor product”, Scott McGee examines if the industry has done enough to defend this method of paying for insurance or whether the regulator will soon feel forced to clamp down…

Aviva to continue pricing ‘ahead of inflation’

Jane Poole, Aviva’s chief financial officer for UK & Ireland General Insurance, has said the insurer will still price ahead of inflation moving forward, after seeing "early signs" of the motor market softening.

Pet insurers with satisfied customers revealed

Data analysis: Fairer Finance’s latest consumer survey reveals the pet insurers with the most extremely satisfied customers and examines the lessons providers need to learn from the Financial Ombudsman Service increasingly ruling in favour of complaining…

Admiral CEO shares electric vehicle ambitions

As Admiral reported pre-tax profits of £597m from its UK insurance operations in 2023, CEO Milena Mondini De Focatiis revealed to Insurance Post the insurer’s ambitions to be a “leader in electric vehicles.”

Aviva cites ‘favourable’ PL rating as UK&I GI profits surge

Aviva has reported its UK and Ireland general insurance business grew gross written premiums by 16% while the provider’s operating profit surged 63% in 2023, and GI CEO Jason Storah said he is “confident” the business “will build on success” in 2024.

FCA pauses all Gap insurance sales

The Financial Conduct Authority has ordered all providers of guaranteed asset protection insurance to pause selling the product by the end of this month.

Scale of motor insurance market shrinking laid bare

Data analysis: Mike Powell, insight manager for banking and general insurance at Defaqto, examines why there are now 14% fewer insurance brands selling comprehensive car insurance than there were 10 years ago plus what features have been stripped out of…

Why Ageas buying Direct Line makes sense now

Having been talked about as a takeover target itself in recent years, content director Jonathan Swift observes Ageas’ move for Direct Line marks a change in fortunes for the Belgian insurance group and makes perfect sense in terms of fit and timing.

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