RBS 2005 Annual Report Download - page 41

Divisional review
39
2005
RBS Insurance is the second
largest general insurer in the UK.
It sells and underwrites insurance
via the telephone, the internet,
partnerships and a network of
brokers. Its brands, including
Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege,
Green Flag and NIG, are some of
the best known in the UK. In 2005
RBS Insurance increased its total
income by 8% to £5,489 million.
 The integration of the Direct Line and
Churchill businesses was completed at the start of
September 2005, within two years, ahead of time
and within budget. The combined businesses now
have close to 20,000 employees.
 We celebrated the 20th anniversary of the
Direct Line red telephone in 2005. When it first
opened for business in April 1985, Direct Line
employed just 63 people. Today it employs around
6,500 people and handles an average of 12,000 car
quotes every day.
 Across its range of brands and products,
RBS Insurance increased its total policies in-force
by 1.6 million to 25.9 million. Within this, total car
policies increased by 5.7% to 10.6 million across
the UK and continental Europe.
 In the United Kingdom, RBS Insurance is
the No.1 car insurer, with 8.7 million policies, and
the No. 2 home insurer, with 4.6 million policies.
 RBS Insurance now has over 4.9 million car
rescue policies sold through Direct Line, Churchill,
Green Flag, Privilege and many partners under
their brands.
 In continental Europe, RBS Insurance
increased its car insurance policies by 14%
to 1.9 million.
 RBS Insurance is the No. 2 travel insurance
provider with 2.3 million policies; its pet policies
increased by 20% to 0.6 million.
 Direct Line launched several major
enhancements to its car product, including a No
Claims Discount (NCD) for named drivers on
a Direct Line policy, multi-car discounts, matched
NCD and an NCD earned on company cars and
motorbikes.
 Línea Directa became Spain’s sixth largest
motor insurer this year with 1.2 million in-force
policies and is now selling breakdown cover direct
to customers. Direct Line in Germany launched
motor legal protection.
 Since the re-launch of Privilege in
August 2004, the ‘you don’t have to be posh to be
privileged’ campaign has delivered excellent brand
recognition and sales, with in-force car policies
increasing by 50% and breakdown policies by
43% respectively.
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