{
  "id": 19778723,
  "title": "Aviva premiums surge as Direct Line takeover drives growth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/aviva-premiums-surge-as-direct-line-takeover-drives-growth",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-13T07:45:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/aviva-premiums-surge-as-direct-line-takeover-drives-growth/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aviva experienced a 19% increase in general insurance premiums in the first nine months of the year, reaching £11.8bn, compared to £10bn the previous year. The UK and Ireland premiums grew by 27% to £8.5bn. The personal lines segment, which includes motor, health, and travel insurance, saw a 54% increase to £5.5bn, largely driven by the £3.7bn acquisition of Direct Line in July 2025. This acquisition granted Aviva control of a fifth of the UK motor insurance market. The company's CEO, Amanda Blanc, expressed optimism about future growth opportunities in general insurance, including extending Direct Line policies, introducing pet insurance, and expanding internationally to Canada and Ireland.\n\nHowever, Aviva faced challenges in its commercial lines insurance division, which saw a 5% decline to £2.9bn due to softer market conditions. Its wealth arm, on the other hand, experienced significant growth with net flows of £10.9bn, up from £8.3bn the prior year, and assets under management increasing by 19% to £267bn. Customer numbers also rose to 6.1m, bolstering Aviva's position as the \"number one UK player.\" Blanc stated that Aviva sees substantial opportunities for expansion across its workplace, adviser, and direct businesses, aiming to achieve at least £280m in operating profit in wealth by 2027.\n\nDespite the overall growth, the company faced pressure in other divisions. The retirement business saw a halving of bulk purchase annuities (BPA) volumes to £1.9bn, amid increased competition. Nonetheless, BPA deals signed or in the pipeline where Aviva is the preferred provider reached £5.8bn, surpassing the £4.6bn written in all of 2025. Health insurance sales fell by 31% to £81m due to slower market growth, while underwriting profits were negatively impacted by severe weather and catastrophe claims in Canada, Aviva's second-largest market. Premiums for the year to date increased by just 2% to £3.2bn.",
  "summary": "Aviva has recorded a boost in general insurance premiums after its acquisition of Direct Line granted it more command over the UK market. Total group premiums rose 19 per cent in the first nine months of the year to £11.8bn, up from £10bn the prior year. UK and Ireland premiums also grew 27 per cent [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}