Schemes broker Select & Protect is to begin a push into general insurance.

Select & Protect has traditionally served the mortgage and independent financial adviser (IFA) sector, offering household and mortgage protection products.

But from 1 October, it will be offering its household policy, underwritten by Norwich Union, to general insurance brokers when it launches its FSA compliant scheme.

S&P chief executive Simon Hood said it would manage the complete sales process. "We will issue the policy, collect premiums by direct debit, do the mid-term alterations and handle claims."

He said the scheme was targeted at brokers with predominantly commercial accounts. "These brokers will have a lot less time to deal with general administration [post-FSA regulation]. They will need to concentrate on those areas that earn them the most money, namely the commercial book."

Hood added that S&P was aiming for general insurance brokers to account for 10% of its total agency base. "We are looking to get 6,000 IFAs and mortgage agents by the end of the year," he said.

Select & Protect's premium income at the end of 2003 was £27m. It is aiming to achieve a premium income of £37m by the end of 2005.