MAPFRE closes acquisition of Direct Line in Italy and Germany after obtaining authorization from regulatory bodies

With this deal, MAPFRE gains 1.6 million new clients and 709 million euros in premiums in two major European markets

MAPFRE has closed the acquisition of Direct Line in Italy and Germany after receiving due authorization from the domestic regulatory bodies and the European Union authorities.

This authorization allows MAPFRE to launch the integration process for both companies. The deal is part of the company’s strong focus on strengthening its presence in Europe as well as multichannel and online direct insurance.

Based on the latest P&L (2014), in total the businesses in Italy and Germany will provide MAPFRE with 709 million euros in premiums, 1.6 million new clients and 26 million in pre-tax earnings.  The price for the transaction is 550 million euros.

Direct Line Italy is a leading provider of automobile direct insurance in the Italian market with a market share of approximately 24 percent in this channel, 458 million euros in annual premiums and one million clients. Direct Line Germany is the third largest provider of automobile direct insurance in the German market with a market share of approximately 13 percent in this channel, 251 million euros in premiums and about 600,000 clients.

Direct insurance (telephone and internet) is growing rapidly in both countries: over the last five years it has grown 74 percent in Italy and 38 percent in Germany.

MAPFRE is strongly focused on developing its digital business. VERTI is the leading provider of online insurance in Spain, and INSUREANDGO is the leading provider of online travel insurance in the UK. Additionally, the company is finalizing the launch of an online direct insurance business in the USA and China.