Equity Insurance has signed a three-year affinity deal with Ryanair to provide the airline's customers with home and motor insurance.

The affinity deal is understood to be the largest of its kind this year, giving Equity access to Ryanair's 42 million customers worldwide.

"It means a lot of new business for us," said Neil Utley, Equity chief executive. "It is the first time Ryanair has ventured into home and motor."

The budget airline will also offer insurance for holiday homes.

Equity's Lloyd's division, Equity Red Star, will be the lead underwriter of the cover.

Utley said a 150-seat call centre would be opened to accommodate the company's growth across the board. He predicted it would be fully staffed by the end of the year.

"Affinity is a key area of growth for Equity," said Utley. "Expect to see some more wins soon."

Equity has affinity deals with Chevrolet, Skipton Building Society and Cardif Pinnacle. It also signed a recent deal to acquire the rights to renew Legal and General's motor insurance customer base.

Primary Group currently writes Ryanair's travel business.