Canadian insurer Intact Monetary and its subsidiary RSA Insurance coverage have agreed to amass the brokered industrial strains enterprise of UK-based Direct Line Insurance coverage for £550m ($689.47m).

In keeping with the deal, Intact will make an preliminary money cost of £520m. 

Direct Line can be eligible to obtain a further cost of as much as £30m beneath earnout provisions topic to the acquired enterprise’ monetary efficiency. 

The acquisition is a part of Intact’s technique to bolster the presence of its UK unit, RSA Insurance coverage, within the industrial strains market.

Following the deal closing, the renewal rights, manufacturers, staff and methods of Direct Line’s brokered industrial strains unit can be transferred to RSA.

In 2022, the brokered industrial strains unit of Direct Line generated £530m in written premiums, with practically 96% in common mixed ratio for 2021 and 2022.

Intact Monetary CEO Charles Brindamour mentioned: “This acquisition considerably strengthens our UK&I enterprise, and is strongly aligned with our strategic and monetary targets. 

“The transaction enhances our place within the UK by doubling down on strains of enterprise the place we already outperform.”

The acquisition may also widen the dealer distribution community and current industrial strains merchandise of RSA. 

With the takeover, practically 800 employees of Direct Line will be a part of RSA to supply continued help and repair supply.

RSA CEO Ken Norgrove mentioned: “We sit up for welcoming a crew of skilled, extremely proficient and expert colleagues from robust manufacturers, together with NIG and FarmWeb, to additional improve RSA’s robust industrial strains enterprise.”

The boards of administrators of each firms have authorized the acquisition whereas shareholders of Direct Line are but to provide their nod.

Topic to obligatory approvals and shutting situations, the acquisition is anticipated to conclude within the second quarter of 2024.

Intact additionally revealed that it’s exploring choices for the UK Private strains enterprise of RSA, together with a possible divesture. 

Direct Line lately agreed to make a cost of £30m as compensation for allegedly overcharging its present clients.