DIRECTLINE INSURANCE PLC

In just twenty years Direct Line has created a business with more than 10, 000 employees offering a range of personal finance products to more than 10 million customers across the UK and in Europe.

On our first day - 2nd April 1985 - we became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as our main channel of communication.

It was a revolutionary event as out went the middlemen, the fat commissions and the forms and the jargon. In came speed, simplicity and a common-sense human touch…

When Direct Line first opened its doors in 1985 there were 63 employees. There are now more than 10, 000 employees across the UK .

Direct Line started with just one call centre in Croydon. It now has call centres in five locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester.

In its first three months of operation, Direct Line gave 9, 000 car insurance quotes over the phone.

The Direct Line business went global in the 1990’s – it now sells car insurance in Spain, Italy and Germany.

Linea Directa is Spain’s largest direct car insurer.

Direct Line is the UK’s leading direct car insurer.

Direct Line provides more than 13, 000 car insurance quotes daily.

A Direct Line policy is sold every 10 seconds.

A customer notifies the company of a claim every 30 seconds.

In 2004, Direct Line received 22 million telephone calls.