Allianz and Liverpool Victoria partner to form UK’s third biggest personal lines insurer

Allianz Group and Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society (LV=) will launch a joint venture that will create the third biggest personal lines insurer in the UK thanks to a deal that values LV=’s general insurance at more than £1 billion.

The two companies have agreed a detailed long-term strategic partnership in the UK, creating a general insurance business with over 6 million customers and gross premiums written in excess of £1.7 billion.

The transaction gives Allianz and LV= a bigger market share in the growing UK retail sector. It also strengthens Allianz’s position in the commercial market where it has over £1 billion pounds in annual income and complements its broader UK presence.

LV= will receive £500 million from Allianz in exchange for a 49 percent stake in its general insurance businesses. The new, long-term joint venture will acquire Allianz’s personal home and motor insurer’s renewal rights while AIlianz will obtain LV= GI’s commercial insurer’s renewal rights.

The joint venture will be run by Steve Treloar, managing director of General Insurance of LV=, reporting to a board of directors drawn from LV= and Allianz.

The first stage of the transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2017. The second stage of the transaction will take place in 2019 and will see Allianz pay £213 million for a further 20.9 percent stake in LV= GI through an agreed, forward purchase based on a total valuation of £1.020 billion for 100 percent of LV= GI.

LV= has a put option under which it can sell all or part of its remaining shares to Allianz 1. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

“I am thrilled to join forces with LV=, one of UK’s most respected and loved brands. This partnership will first and foremost benefit our customers who will have access to an expanded range of products backed by the financial strength of Allianz. We value LV=’s strong brand and market positioning,” said Oliver Bäte, chief executive of Allianz Group.

Richard Rowney, chief executive of LV=, said: “I am delighted to announce this joint venture with Allianz, which will see us create the third largest personal insurance business in the UK. With this deal, LV= has a positive future in both General Insurance and Life and Pensions. The strategic partnership with Allianz will allow us to continue to benefit from a growing personal insurance business while also enabling us to strengthen our capital position, leaving us well placed to continue to expand our Life and Pensions business and pursue new digital opportunities.”

Treloar added: “Our joint venture will be a leading personal insurer with a diversified distribution base across direct, broker and corporate partner channels. The combination of LV=’s strong brand, longstanding reputation in personal insurance and excellent customer service with the financial strength, digital expertise and data analytics of Allianz, the world’s largest P&C insurer, will allow us to further develop and expand the products and services that our customers demand.”

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