Fortis UK chief executive Barry Smith is "unconcerned" about a possible softening in the motor market.
Commenting after the insurer posted "superior" first quarter results for 2004, he said: "We have consistently got higher than market returns and we will continue to be very active in the market."
Smith quashed rumours that the UK insurance business was up for sale or it was interested in buying brokers.
"I stand by what our chief executive said at the end-of -year briefing that we are not for sale. We will also not be acquiring any brokers as our focus will remain on being an underwriter," he said.
Fortis UK reported an overall gross written premium (GWP) of £144m for the first quarter, an increase of 16% from the same time last year.
In the SME commercial market Fortis saw a 54% increase in GWP to £12m up from £8m in the first quarter of 2003. Its household and private motor lines increased by 12% and 13% respectively.
The company reported that its motor GWP currently stood at £100m. Travel also performed well with a 55% increase in GWP to £7m up from £4m in the first quarter of 2003.
