Financial services group HBOS has announced its insurance profits increased by 15% in 2002.
The group, which sells insurance under household brands such as esure and Intelligent Finance, saw its pre-tax profits rise to £400m last year up from £348m in 2001.
General insurance claims increased to £79m from £68m the year before. Meanwhile its gross written premiums increased to £1.3bn from £1bn the year before.
Chief operating officer Ian Black said household insurance sales were up on the back of improved mortgage sales.
Black said: "We see a good future in the near term through 2003."
The group's total pre-tax profits increased by 22% to £3.062bn.
