Skip to main content

Why Aviva and Direct Line mega merger is nothing to fear

Emma Ann Hughes

Editor’s View: Working her way through centuries of issues of Insurance Post just as Direct Line’s shareholders accepted Aviva’s £3.6bn bid for the business proved a timely reminder for Emma Ann Hughes of the pros and cons of mega mergers.

Flashback to the start of 2024, and the Post team was pulled out of our collective Christmas coma to gather in a room with the British Insurance Brokers Association’s top brass and hear about their

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Insurance Post? View our subscription options

Why MGAs need to hold the line in 2026

Trade Voice: Mike Keating, CEO of the Managing General Agents’ Association, says the softening market gives MGAs the opportunity to prove their mettle – but they must show underwriting discipline.

Four biggest challenges facing insurers in 2026 revealed

Insurance Post reveals the four main challenges general insurers face in 2026 and the solutions experts from EY, the International Underwriting Association, AM Best, Moody’s, S&P, KPMG, Pathlight Associates and Sicsic Advisory say will matter most in the year ahead.

Why can’t the FCA see and act on the full claims picture?

Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues the Financial Conduct Authority can either continue to defend its frameworks after Which?’s super-complaint or accept that collecting data is meaningless unless it triggers earlier, tougher and more visible intervention against providers that repeatedly fail policyholders.

Forces set to reshape home insurance pricing into 2026

From climate impacts and subsidence surges to fraud trends, electric vehicle fire risks, regulation and artificial intelligence, Peter Farrelly, chief operating officer of Sedgwick, outlines the key forces set to shape home insurance pricing and development in 2026.

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have an Insurance Post account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here