Throwback Thursday: NU goes west & D&G’s PC deal

14 March 1996: NU plans to calm brokers’ direct fears

Norwich Union was going west to try to allay brokers’ fears over the company’s direct operations.

More than 60 brokers in Bristol heard Patrick Snowball argue NU Direct wouldn’t impact the provider’s relationship with intermediaries.

The launch of NU Direct’s advertising company had resulted in calls to boycott the provider, now known as Aviva.

Mike Williams, representing the British Insurance & Investment Brokers’ Association, said: “Despite all the rhetoric from Norwich Union since the launch of NU Direct, brokers remain deeply suspicious.”

D&G launches PC service

Domestic & General launched a service for personal computers, covering both breakdown and software support.

The launch came as D&G’s then chairman Martin Copley said the provider had fully recovered from a “blip” in appliance sales in summer 1995 and renewal rates were strong.

At the end of 2025 Domestic & General was bought by US-based insurance company Asurion, with the deal expected to close in mid-2026. 

The announcement from Asurion – a Nashville-based insurer that covers smartphones, tablets and consumer electronics – stated the combined company will provide customers with “a single, trusted provider for every device and appliance”. 

D&G will hang onto its branding and operate as an arm of Asurion.