Markerstudy buys BDML from Capita

Markerstudy has bought a number of Capita's loss-making insurance businesses including affinity specialist, BDML, which the outsourcer bought back in 2005. The deal includes other Capita brands including Sureterm, Lancaster and Delta Underwriting and all will be positioned within Markerstudy Retail. 

Within the partnerships' market, BDML is an interesting player and one which has come under pressure from other affinity brokers in recent years. For example, it lost partnerships with ASDA and Argos to Brightside - a business which some suggest remains a target for Markerstudy.   

BDML continues to manage the home and motor panels for Virgin Money and is a significant provider of pet insurance partnerships for ASDA, Debenhams, pdsa and Pets at Home. 

AA and Saga enter the legal services market

The AA has announced the creation of "AA Law" in a joint venture with Bristol-based solicitors, Lyons Davidson. As with earlier market entrants such as Ageas and Admiral, AA Law has secured an ABS (alternative business structure) licence in partnership with an established law firm. 

AA Law will launch on 1st December and is planning to handle personal injury (PI) and other litigation linked to motor accidents involving its 16 million members and customers. Contract and employment services are scheduled to follow next year. Lyons Davidson already provides the AA's legal helpline and motor legal expenses policy and has already set up a similar ABS arrangement with Admiral. 

Also today, Saga has announced the creation of "Saga Law" in partnership with Parabis Law, which has provided legal services to the over-50s specialist for over 10 years. The new service is expected to launch in 2014.