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RSA Insurance exits UK private motor market

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By John Healy of Healy Insurances

RSA Insurance has announced it will exit the UK personal lines car insurance market over the next year, with a sale arranged to rival insurer, Swinton.

RSA Insurance was formed through the merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance in 1996 and was acquired by Canadian multinational, Intact Financial Corporation in November 2021. RSA said the motor market in the UK remained competitive yet “requires significant scale to drive meaningful outperformance”.

The RSA motor business in the UK represents about £120 million of annual premium but the 'Insurance Times' reported that the RSA’s private motor segment was operating at a loss, meaning the lost premium does not represent an operating loss to the business.

“When we completed the acquisition of RSA, we were clear that we would take necessary actions to drive sustainable outperformance in UK and Ireland," Charles Brindamour, CEO of the Intact Financial Corp, said. "[The] announcement represents a further step in delivering against our strategic roadmap to optimise our footprint around Personal Lines, Home and Pet, and our Commercial and Speciality lines businesses.”

Car premiums in the UK have increased by 21.1% from February 2021 to February 2022. Market sources concluded that inflation and supply chain disruption are pushing up the costs insurers face in fixing and replacing vehicles. The average annual car insurance premium in the UK is £929 which rises considerably in London to £1,419.

At the time of writing, it has just been announced that RSA are also exiting commercial mini fleet insurance in the UK from June 1, 2023.

RSA have not made any comment on their Irish operations. In the Republic of Ireland, RSA Insurance offer car insurance products via Insurance Brokers and Bank of Ireland. RSA also own 123.ie.

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Newstalk Summer Tour arrives in Killarney

Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town. On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with […]

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Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town.

On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman will be live from the Café du Parc in the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, kicking off at 7 am.
Ciara and Shane are scheduled to speak with local Kerry figures and take a trip on Killarney’s jaunting cars to see the sights.
Kelly said: “I am so excited to head to Killarney. I have had some fantastic memories as a child visiting Kerry and can’t wait to go back for Newstalk’s Summer tour!”
Coleman added: “Kerry is a wonderful place to visit and I am looking forward to seeing its natural beauty, vibrant culture and rich history.”
The week-long tour is taking the full Newstalk experience to towns across Ireland, featuring live shows, special guests, and conversation.

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Ring of Kerry Cycle to honour founder Paddy O’Donoghue

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This year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, scheduled for July 5, will be run in memory of Paddy O’Donoghue, a founding member of the event.

Mr O’Donoghue, aged 81, from Muckross, passed away following a road collision in Kilgarvan on Tuesday, this week.

Paddy was a retired Kerry County Council engineer, affectionately known as ‘Paddy the Engineer’.

He was a driving force behind the annual charity cycle since its inception in 1982, regularly participating and fundraising for various causes. Beyond his cycling contributions, the Glenflesk native was also a notable footballer, having been part of the East Kerry team that secured the first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1971.

Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Ring of Kerry Cycle said: “On behalf of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle I wish to extend sincere sympathy to Brenda and the O’Donoghue family on the sad and sudden loss of Paddy.

“He was a fantastic supporter of the annual charity cycle since it’s inception back in the 80s. A regular participant and wonderful fundraiser for whatever charity he chose. Paddy loved a challenge in whatever he undertook and was the epitome of what the event was all about. We miss the banter and craic but he won’t ever be forgotten. This year’s event will be dedicated to his memory on July the 5th. His likes will never be seen again. Slan Abhaile our friend.”

Tributes have been paid to Mr O’Donoghue, including from his local Glenflesk GAA club, who stated, “Glenflesk GAA would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Paddy O’Donoghue on his sad passing. He was a true Glenflesk stalwart as a player, mentor and lifelong supporter.”

Paddy is survived by his wife Brenda, children Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick, and Alice, 17 grandchildren, his brother John, sisters Margaret, Kathleen, and Anna, and a wide circle of relatives and friends.

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