Sabre Insurance Group PLC (LSE:SBRE), a major UK motor insurance underwriter, has reaffirmed its full-year profit expectations even as gross written premiums fell 18.7% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025.
The insurer reported total gross written premiums of £151.7 million for the period ending September 30, down from £186.5 million in the same period a year earlier. While revenue declined, Sabre emphasized its commitment to underwriting at target margins of 18%–22%, a strategy it believes will keep profit levels broadly aligned with 2024.
The drop in premiums reflects the company’s deliberate choice to prioritize profitability over top-line growth amid what it described as “subdued” market pricing conditions. Sabre also noted that claims inflation has eased to mid-single-digit levels and that price declines across the market appear to be stabilizing after a weak first half of the year.
“I continue to be pleased with our performance at the Q3 stage of 2025,” said Geoff Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Sabre. “Our long-term focus on margins over volume means we are confident of delivering a strong full-year result with profits in-line with 2024 with a very robust capital position, despite market-wide motor premium pricing weakness for large parts of 2025.”
During the period, the company completed a £5 million share buyback and reiterated its confidence in making an “attractive capital distribution” to shareholders at year-end, supported by its strong capital generation.
Looking ahead, Sabre expects pricing in the motor insurance market to rise in late 2025 or early 2026 as the sector adjusts to protect profitability. The company also reported “good progress” on its Ambition 2030 program, stating that strategic initiatives remain on track despite current market headwinds.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.
Leave a Reply