Commercial Vehicle Direct has won the tender for the AA's commercial vehicle book, according to market sources

The online and phone broker will absorb the 22,000-policy book through its own panel of 21 insurers. The book could be worth up to £3m, sources said.

The sale is the second of what the AA is now calling non-core business and has led to speculation the broker may be being groomed for a sale.

A market source said: "It seems like the company is being tidied up for a sale, or that it has lost focus and is looking to concentrate on a smaller number of areas."

But rumours of a sale of the AA were denied by both the company and its parent, Centrica.

A spokeswoman for the AA said: "We are looking at all our books, at their viability and whether we are getting enough business through them.

"Those rumours come and go depending on the current climate.

"However, I can confirm that the AA financial services business is seen as core by Centrica."

The spokeswoman declined to confirm that CV Direct had picked up the commercial vehicles business. CV Direct was unavailable for comment.