Fortis Insurance has reported overall gross written premiums (GWP) for the third quarter 2005 of £453m, an increase of 3% over the same period in 2004.
Fortis said growth in GWP had been particularly strong in travel and commercial lines with a year-on-year increase of 42% to £38.5m (2004 Q3 £27.1m) for travel, and a 21% increase to £42.3m (2004 Q3 £37.8m) in commercial lines.
Barry Smith, Fortis chief executive, said: "This quarter has seen the successful extension and ongoing development of our product range. Our affinity partnerships, including those signed with Holiday Extras and Age Concern earlier in the year, are growing strongly and we are on track to insure more than 3.5 million travellers this year.
"We also look forward to further profitable growth in this segment and, in particular, our continued collaboration with The Post Office by underwriting its travel insurance proposition."
Fortis said that in motor lines, while the number of vehicles insured remained at 2004 levels, and in excess of 1.3 million cars, GWP had reduced by 2% to £288.4m (2004 Q3 £295.7m).
The company said its household insurance book saw a year-on-year growth of 6% GWP to £82.3m (2004 Q3 £77.3m). It added that the roll-out of its House Guard Extra product had been particularly welcomed by the intermediary market, which has doubled year-on-year.
Smith added: "As we look to 2006, the contracts that we've already won this year and the success we've seen in the roll-out of a number of products, for example House Guard Extra and Van Guard, will help fuel further growth as we move into next year.
"In addition, the acquisition of OutRight, announced in September 2005, further builds on our commitment to offering a wide range of insurance solutions to the UK's intermediated market".
