Direct Line Group

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 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.

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.

Big Interview: Rachel Lam, ombudsman director, FOS

Rachel Lam, ombudsman director for insurance at the Financial Ombudsman Service, speaks exclusively to Insurance Post’s Editor Emma Ann Hughes about her work with providers and the Financial Conduct Authority to address the sector’s shortcomings.

Q&A: Alina Jipa, RSA

RSA’s chief of staff, Alina Jipa, shares ways to tackle insurance’s boring image and improve the sector’s career path.

Big Interview: Matt Brewis, FCA

Matt Brewis, the Financial Conduct Authority’s head of insurance, explains to Scott McGee why premium finance is a “poor product,” denies the watchdog is Miss Trunchbull-like, plus shares the regulator's plans for 2024.

Most-read insurance stories in 2023 revealed

Like Cher, Insurance Post is turning back time to remember the industry Consumer Duty’s efforts, business interruption cases continuing to rumble on, developments at Direct Line, RSA’s personal lines exit, plus the other major insurance events of the…

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.

Headlines that shook insurance in 2023

The news and views that shaped insurance in 2023, plus what can you expect from Insurance Post in 2024, are all revealed in our final video podcast of the year.

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