Key Stats
- Founded: 1996 (merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance)
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Acquisition Value: £7.2 billion (June 2021)
- Employees: 13,500+ (at time of acquisition)
- Customers: 9 million worldwide
RSA Insurance Group stands as one of the oldest general insurers in the world, with roots dating back over 300 years to the founding of the Sun Fire Office in 1710. The company emerged in its modern form from the 1996 merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance, creating one of the largest composite insurers in the United Kingdom.
RSA provides personal and commercial insurance products including motor, household, travel, pet, marine, engineering, liability, and property coverage. The company operates across the UK, Ireland, Canada, and Scandinavia through well-known brands like More Than, Johnson, and Trygg-Hansa. In June 2021, Canadian insurer Intact Financial Corporation and Danish company Tryg completed a joint acquisition of RSA for £7.2 billion.
RSA Insurance Group History
RSA Insurance Group Co-founders
RSA Insurance Group Revenue
RSA Insurance Group generated substantial premium income throughout its independent operation. The company reported gross written premiums of approximately £4.3 billion in its final years before acquisition. Revenue fluctuated during restructuring periods as non-core assets were divested.
RSA Insurance Group Competitors
RSA competed with major global and regional insurers across the UK, Europe, and Canadian markets. The company faced competition from both domestic insurers and international groups with strong European presence. Key competitors included Aviva, AXA, and Allianz.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Market |
|---|---|---|
| Aviva | London, UK | Life & General Insurance |
| AXA | Paris, France | Multi-line Insurance |
| Allianz | Munich, Germany | Property & Casualty |
| Direct Line Group | London, UK | Motor & Home Insurance |
| Admiral Group | Cardiff, UK | Motor Insurance |
| Legal & General | London, UK | Life & Pensions |
| Zurich Insurance | Zurich, Switzerland | Commercial Insurance |
| Chubb Limited | Zurich, Switzerland | P&C Insurance |
| Travelers Companies | Hartford, USA | Commercial Insurance |
| Liberty Mutual | Boston, USA | Personal & Commercial |
RSA Insurance Group Acquisitions
RSA pursued aggressive international expansion through targeted acquisitions following its 1996 formation. The company focused on building presence in continental Europe, Scandinavia, and Canada while strengthening its UK operations.
In 1997, RSA acquired Prudential’s Italian life insurance and pensions business for £46 million. The same year, the company purchased the Johnson Corporation, a Canadian life and health insurance company that would become a cornerstone of RSA’s North American operations. RSA also acquired a 40 percent stake in Chilean life insurer Compañia de Seguros de Vida La Construcción for £75 million.
The company expanded significantly in Scandinavia through the acquisition of Trygg-Hansa in Sweden and Codan in Denmark and Norway. These brands became important contributors to RSA’s overall premium income. In the UK, RSA developed the More Than direct insurance brand, which gained recognition through its marketing campaigns.
RSA’s acquisition strategy shifted under Stephen Hester’s leadership from 2014 onward. The company divested non-core assets to strengthen its balance sheet. In September 2015, RSA sold its Latin American insurance operations to Colombian company Grupo Sura for £403 million. Additional disposals included central and eastern European units.
More recently, post-acquisition by Intact Financial Corporation, the UK business acquired Direct Line Group’s brokered commercial lines operations in 2023. This deal positioned RSA as the third largest commercial lines insurer in the UK market. The company also exited UK personal motor, home, and pet insurance by selling operations to Admiral Group for £85 million in March 2024.
RSA Insurance Group Marketcap
RSA Insurance Group’s market capitalization fluctuated significantly throughout its time as a public company. The company reached a peak share price of approximately £1.50 in late 2017 before the 2021 acquisition valued RSA at £7.2 billion.
FAQs
When was RSA Insurance Group founded?
RSA Insurance Group was formed in 1996 through the merger of Sun Alliance and Royal Insurance. Its oldest predecessor, the Sun Fire Office, dates back to 1710.
Who acquired RSA Insurance Group?
Intact Financial Corporation from Canada and Tryg from Denmark jointly acquired RSA Insurance Group for £7.2 billion in June 2021. Intact took UK and Canadian operations while Tryg acquired Scandinavian businesses.
What does RSA Insurance Group offer?
RSA provides personal and commercial general insurance products including motor, household, travel, pet, marine, engineering, liability, property, and professional financial insurance services.
Where is RSA Insurance Group headquartered?
RSA Insurance Group is headquartered in London, United Kingdom at 20 Fenchurch Street. The company operates primarily across the UK, Ireland, Canada, and Scandinavia.
Is RSA Insurance Group still publicly traded?
No. RSA was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in June 2021 following its acquisition by Intact Financial Corporation and Tryg. It now operates as a subsidiary of Intact.
