Direct Line Group
Claims Awards 2012: The winners
A full list of the winners and runners up at the 2012 Claims Awards.
Direct Line rolls out telematics offering
Following a pilot with sister firm Tracker to test the use of telematics in retail motor insurance, Direct Line is offering a telematics product to customers.
DLG latest firm to support OFT's credit hire referral
The Direct Line Group has become the latest insurer to back the Office of Fair Trading's decision to provisionally refer the study into vehicle repair services to the Competition Commission.
Analytics: Cultivating customers with tailored data
Customers need to be offered more than just a cheap deal to persuade them to stay with an insurer, and tailored data can help achieve an increase in retention rates.
Next phase of DLG float underway as UBS appointed to advise
UBS has been appointed to advise on RBS' sale of its Direct Line Group insurance arm, with the bank acting as joint bookrunners with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
The AA and Direct Line provide 'poor' online customer experience, survey finds
UK home and motor insurers like Direct Line and The AA are potentially ruining opportunities to acquire new customers because of a poor online user experience, a survey has found.
Insurers told to improve online user experience or risk losing customers
Home and motor insurers have been accused of potentially ruining opportunities to acquire new customers by providing a poor online user experience, following research conducted by online customer experience insights firm Global Reviews.
Direct Line Group to pay shareholders £500m dividend
Direct Line Group directors have declared an interim dividend in an aggregate amount of £500m.
Benign weather and rate rises result in record reported profits for insurers
Insurers have reaped the rewards of benign weather and rate rises in catastrophe hit regions, but analysts warn the worst could be yet to come.
Friend or Foe: Q&A with Accident Exchange CEO Steve Evans
Steve Evans has spent four years bringing the activities of rate surveyor Autofocus to light, making him an unpopular figure in insurance circles.
NFU and Ageas pay Accident Exchange undisclosed settlements
NFU Mutual and Ageas have reached settlement agreements with credit hirer Accident Exchange over their use of Autofocus evidence.
Geddes eyes imminent job function separation as RBS divestment gathers momentum
Direct Line Group chief executive Paul Geddes remains confident that group separation will be achieved on schedule after announcing that job functions at the business will be operating on a standalone basis by the summer.
DLG records steady Q1 improvement as separation 'progresses well'
Direct Line Group has increased its Q1 operating profit by 25% on the same period last year to £84m, thanks to prior year reserve releases and higher investment income.
Market moves: Liberty and Garwyn lead the pack
Insurer Liberty Mutual and loss adjuster Garwyn were the main movers and shakers this week, with LMI officially opening its new office in Leeds and recruiting four new members of staff.
Market divided as to favourability of current conditions for IPOs
Market players credited with an interest in launching initial public offerings inside the next two years have been warned against attempting to float amid unfavourable conditions, where value is at rock bottom.
Private bidder eyes up Direct Line Group
The FT has reported that Edi Truell's new bid vehicle Tungsten has made an informal expression of interest to buy Direct Line Group, which analysts estimate could sell for up to £4bn.
Helphire cuts debt as drop in hires slows
Helphire said in a trading update it had reduced net debt by £7.9m, from £132.4m to £124.5m, in the first three months of the year.
DLG prospectus reveals 2011 COR breakdown
The Direct Line Group has launched a prospectus geared towards tying up its proposed £500m planned subordinated debt issuance, in which it discloses last year's combined operating ratio for the insurer's various lines of business.
Spotlight On Technology: Future gadgets
Science fiction has given the people of today a glimpse of tomorrow. However, spare a thought for underwriters, for whom the prospect of insuring some of the space-age gadgets featured must strike real fear, as technology develops and turns science…
Spotlight On Technology: The developing world
With technological developments gathering pace, how will insurers cope with the influx of new gadgets and remain innovative?
ABI and credit hire firms establish working party for GTA portal
The Association of British Insurers and the credit hire industry have formed a working party to establish a general terms of agreement portal for road accident claims with hire charges.
Interview: Be Wiser chairman Mark Bower-Dyke - a convert to the cause
After joining the insurance industry for the money, Be Wiser chairman Mark Bower-Dyke shares his frustrations of short-termism and the lack of training, and explains why telematics is not the answer to the ills of the motor market.
Support for Direct Line Group's debt issuance plan 'delights' bosses
Direct Line Group bosses have expressed their "delight" after more than 40 financial institutions declared their support for the firm’s £500m planned subordinated debt issuance.
Transport Select Committee seeks to clear up transparency
The Transport Select Committee's reports on motor insurance have proved contentious, with calls for transparency not resonating with insurers. Will the 13th report clear things up?