KN66004

KEY NOTE Market Report Insurance Companies UK : July 2004

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This report covers:insurance companies, life, pensions, occupational, personal, annuities, income protection, critical illness, general insurance, motor, property, accident and health, general liability, pecuniary loss, rising ordinary claims, more extreme claims, new business, regular premium business, single premium business, group business, independent financial advisors, telephone selling, banks/building societies, life insurance, death only, death or maturity,

Companies covered include: AEGON UK, ALICO, Allianz Cornhill Insurance, Aviva, AXA Insurance, BUPA, Churchill Insurance Group, Co-operative insurance Society, Direct Line Insurance, HBOS, Legal & General, Group, Lloyds TSB, National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society, NFU, Prudential, Royal & Sun Alliance, Standard Life, Zurich Financial Services,

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Key Note Market Report examines the UK insurance market, which is broadly divided into two major sectors: long-term insurance (including life insurance, pensions, annuities, income protection insurance and critical illness insurance) and general insurance (including motor, property, general liability, accident and health, and pecuniary loss insurance).

The industry is experiencing enormous change as it struggles with rising costs and increased regulation, against a background of intensifying competition. In 2003, total net premium income for the whole market increased by 2.1% to £132.51bn.

During the 1990s, the long-term insurance sector showed the fastest growth but, since 2001, the general insurance sector has been growing more rapidly. However, long-term insurance still represents the majority of the market and is likely to do so for many years to come. Within general insurance, motor insurance is the most important sector.

There are 806 companies authorised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to carry out insurance in the UK. Around 354,000 people work in the industry as whole, including brokers and loss adjusters.

The market is dominated by fewer than 20 companies, of which the largest have major market shares. The largest companies include: AEGON, Allianz Cornhill, Aviva, AXA, Churchill Insurance and Direct Line (both owned by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group — RBS), HBOS, Legal & General, Lloyds TSB, Prudential, Royal & Sun Alliance, Standard Life and Zurich Financial Services (ZFS).

The industry is currently getting to grips with 14 new EU regulations, all of which will be in force by the beginning of 2008. This is taking up a considerable amount of time and will involve the development of new IT systems for many companies. Fraud is another major cause for concern within the industry.

Key Note forecasts continued steady growth in premium income between 2004 and 2008, with general insurance moving ahead more rapidly and thereby gaining share of the market. Within this sector, the main drivers of growth are expected to be employer's liability, pecuniary loss and commercial property damage insurance, although some niche sectors will also show strong growth.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Text © 2004 Key Note

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Last updated by Amanda Porteous September 2004