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Our Story

Direct Line Group 2012 - 2021

2021

Direct Line Group aquires new Auto Services site at Newbury

The Group publish their Opportunity Action Plan that sets out a series of ambitions that the business will work towards to address the lack of social mobility within the UK

2020

DLG Community Fund is launched to support communities impacted by Covid-19

Direct Line Group signs Social Mobility Pledge

Group successfully transitions a number of business areas to agile ways of working

Direct Line Group publishes its first Sustainability Report and TCFD Report

Group becomes a 100% carbon-neutral business by investing in high social impact projects to offset our Scope 1, 2 and 31 emissions

2019

Direct Line Group named in Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies to work for

Two partnerships formed with car-subscription service Drover and Starling Bank

Direct Line Group launched PCWs brand Darwin

New Auto Services centre in Weybridge aquired

DLG partners with StreetWise in the UK’s most technically advanced commuter research trials of self-driving vehicles 

2018

Direct Line Group introduces lifestyle and family policy and introduces new company wide minimum salary of £18,000

New partnership with Volkswagen Insurance Service formed

Direct Line Group makes inclusive behaviours pledge

Roll out of 130 Mental Health First Aiders takes place across the busines

2017

UKAARCs are rebranded to DLG Auto Services

2016

Direct Line Group signs up to the Women in Finance Charter

2014

Entry into the FTSE 100 - Direct Line Group gains entry into the FTSE 100

RBS completes the sale of its remaining interest in Direct Line Insurance Group

Direct Line launches DrivePlus Telematics

2012

The Group is admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and starts trading on the London Stock Exchange.

 

Separating from parent group RBS, the Group achieves the goal of operating as a standalone insurance company.

 

The Group completes a £500m planned subordinated debt issuance.

2012

U K Insurance, the Group’s principal UK general insurance underwriter, assigns an insurer financial strength rating of ‘‘A’’ with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s and ‘‘A2’’ with a stable outlook by Moody’s.

 

RBS Insurance rebrands as Direct Line Group ahead of its divestment from RBS Group.

RBS Insurance 1988- 2011

2011

The Group consolidates its UK statutory general underwriting entities into one entity, U K Insurance Limited.

 

Direct Line Group initiates a major project to separate its operations from the RBS Group.

2009

RBS Group commits to the European Commission to sell its insurance business as a condition of its receipt of State Aid.

 

RBS Group initiates a transformation plan to enhance its pricing capabilities, reduce exposure to high-risk policyholders such as young drivers, discontinue certain unprofitable business lines such as fleet and taxi business and reduce the number of operations centres .

2008

The Group sells its share in TPF (Tesco Personal Finance) to Tesco in July, but retains run-off businesses.

 

Bankinter exercises its option to buy out the Group's 50% stake in the Spanish business.

2007

Direct Line for Business launches

2003

The Group acquires Churchill Insurance Group Plc from Credit Suisse Group which includes the National Insurance and Guarantee Corporation Limited (NIG). It also adds key long-term partnership distribution agreements, including Prudential and Nationwide.

2002

The Group acquires the business of Royal Insurance from RSA Assicurazioni. These businesses rebrand as Direct Line.

2001

The Group acquires the European motor insurance businesses of Allstate Corp, operating in Germany and Italy.

1999

The Group launches Tesco Personal Finance Limited (TPF), a 50:50 joint venture with Tesco plc and Direct Line begins to operate through the internet channel.

1995- 1998

The Group acquires Privilege Insurance Company Limited.

 

Direct Line launches pet and travel products.

 

The Group creates Linea Directa, a direct motor insurance joint venture with Bankinter in Spain.

1985 - 1990

Direct Line launches the red telephone on wheels for TV ads

 

Direct Line expands from motor to offer home insurance and RBS Group wholly acquires Direct Line.

 

Direct Line launches in partnership with the RBS Group.

Brands

Direct Line

Launched in 1985 by Sir Peter Wood, Direct Line was the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication.  The company was launched to cut out the middleman and it’s an ethos Direct Line still holds true today. With a broad range of products and services, Direct Line continues to offer a quick and straightforward customer experience by the phone and online.

https://www.directline.com/

Churchill

Founded in 1989 by Martin Long, Churchill is one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone and online and through PCWs. The business was purchased by RBS Group in 2003, bringing it into RBS' insurance division, which is today known as Direct Line Group.

https://www.churchill.com/

Green Flag

Green Flag started in 1971 as an idea between friends Bob Slicer and Jeffery Pittock and was originally called National Breakdown Service.  It launched as a challenger brand to the AA and RAC with a smart network of rescue specialists to help get customers moving again by providing breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

https://www.greenflag.com

NIG

NIG provides commercial insurance throughout the UK.

NIG was part of the Churchill group of companies acquired by the RBS Group on 1st September 2003.

NIG sells its products exclusively through independent brokers operating across the UK. Following a strategic review NIG withdrew from the personal lines market in August 2010, focusing its commitment on delivering commercial insurance through exclusive distribution via the broker.

https://www.nig.com/

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