Fee and commission income (2002): £135.6m

Pre-tax profit (2002): £20m

Address:
Millstream
Maidenhead Road
Windsor
Berkshire, SL4 5GD

Tel: 0870 544 8866

Fee and commission income (2002): £135.6m

Pre-tax profit (2002): £20m

Address:
Millstream
Maidenhead Road
Windsor
Berkshire, SL4 5GD

Tel: 0870 544 8866

Fax: 01256 493 284

Website: www.theaa.com

History: The AA first sold motor insurance as a service to members in 1907 - 23 years before British motorists were legally obliged to have it. In the 1950s and 1960s a number of cut-price insurance companies that had sprung up ceased trading, with serious consequences for policyholders. Motorists turned to the AA for help and AA Insurance Services was formed in 1967.

Today, the AA is part of Centrica plc and is the UK's biggest home and car insurance broker, with some 1.6 million customers. While the vast majority of customers buy their AA insurance over the telephone, a growing number are now taking advantage of the internet for getting a quote and paying for cover. By 2003, the AA estimates that 15% of its business will be carried out online.

With its panel of underwriters, the AA offers a range of some 20 schemes, including a wide range of motor, commercial vehicle and motorcycle policies, home contents and buildings insurance, trip-based and annual travel cover, and payment protection policies.

The resources of the AA have helped it establish a leading position in the insurance and financial markets. The AA has close to 2,000 insurance staff at three main locations - Newcastle upon Tyne, Cardiff and its headquarters at Basingstoke.

Chief officer: Andrew Briscoe, managing director of AA Insurance Services Ltd

Biography: Briscoe joined Centrica in 1998 as managing director, Goldfish Credit Card, and, after Centrica acquired the AA, he also took responsibility for AA Financial Services. In November 2000, he moved to British Gas as director, sales and customer retention, before being appointed managing director AA Insurance Services Ltd in January 2002. Briscoe is also chairman of Golf England Ltd, a new Centrica subsidiary providing services to golfers and golf clubs.

Prior to joining Centrica, Briscoe was sales director at Bupa. He has also worked in sales, marketing and general management for Clerical Medical and American Express. He has an MBA from Cranfield and a degree in philosophy and literature.

Major shareholders: Centrica

Main lines of business: Motor, home, commercial, vehicle, motorcycle and travel.

Topics