Ageas
Biba’s EV scheme; Cytora and DynaRisk partner; WTW’s global head of claims
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Could the CMA fire the starting gun to unlock M&A in 2024?
News Editor's view: With increased M&A activity predicted for 2024, news editor Scott McGee asks: Is the industry waiting with bated breath to find out the outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the Markerstudy/Atlanta deal?
Direct Line aims to cut costs by £100m following £189m loss
Direct Line CEO Adam Winslow has revealed plans to slash operating costs by £100m by the end of 2025 after the business made a £189.5m loss in 2023.
Scale of motor insurance quote manipulation laid bare
Data analysis: As the cost-of-living crisis caused a growing number of people to feel the pinch over the last two years there has been at least a 20% uptick in quote manipulation, analysis of 360 million quotes has revealed.
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.
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…
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.
Direct Line confirms it rejected ‘opportunistic’ Ageas bid
Direct Line has said it received an approach to buy the group from Ageas on 19 January, which it felt “significantly undervalued” the group and its prospects.
Ageas mulls £3.1bn bid for Direct Line
Ageas has confirmed that it is in the “preliminary stages” of considering a £3.1bn bid for Direct Line.
Close Brothers partners with Hedron; Howden buys Laurie Ross; Admiral rebrands Toolbox
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Is Biba right to worry about personal lines broking?
News Editor’s View: After the British Insurance Brokers' Association asked personal lines insurers to commit to the broking channel, Scott McGee looks at what has got brokers spooked, and what action needs to happen in order for a fruitful future.
Amazon to close down Insurance Store
Just 15 months after its October 2022 launch, Insurance Post can reveal that Amazon is closing down its UK Insurance Store.
Big Interview: Ant Middle, Ageas
After a decade with Ageas UK, its CEO, Ant Middle, speaks to Tom Luckham about the changes he’s witnessed, reflects on 2023, muses on his early dreams of footballing stardom, and shares plans to grow the business in 2024.
Ageas CEO eyes home growth in 2024
Ageas CEO Ant Middle reveals how the personal lines insurer will use real-time pricing technology to boost the provider's home book in 2024.
Time to tackle abuse of insurance staff
Jo Causon, CEO of the Institute of Customer Service, reveals a third of those on the frontline of the insurance industry have been shouted and sworn at in the last six months.
Insurers’ Review of the Year 2023
While 2023 will be remembered as a difficult year for insurers due to consolidation, capacity restrictions plus new regulatory rules, providers still have high hopes for 2024.
Motor insurers with the happiest customers revealed
Data analysis: Fairer Finance’s latest consumer survey shows Audi, NFU Mutual, BMW, Santander, and By Miles have the happiest motor insurance customers and digs into the reasons why they are more cheerful than most.
Amazon adds fifth provider to Insurance Store
Amazon has signed-up Urban Jungle to its Insurance Store, making it the fifth insurance provider on the tech-giant’s platform.
IFB reveals how AI has sped up detection of fraudulent claims
One year on from launching its AI counter-fraud solution, the Insurance Fraud Bureau has revealed how the tool has “elevated” the sector's fight against fraud.
Ageas reveals it is developing an AI claims assistant
Tom Quirke, chief actuary at Ageas UK, shares how the personal lines insurer is already ensuring humans and AI work in synergy to allow agents to focus on meaningful relationships with customers.
‘Financial turmoil’ drives wave of SME Covid BI lawsuits
A law firm claiming to represent thousands of SMEs has initiated dozens of fresh Covid-related business interruption court proceedings.