Devitt Insurance
 | |
| Privately owned | |
| Industry | Financial services |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Founder | Howson Foulger Devitt |
| Headquarters | Romford, United Kingdom |
Key people |
William Hughes (Managing Director) Tony Chapman (Financial Director) |
| Products | Insurance |
| Website |
www |
Devitt Insurance Services Limited is a privately owned insurance broker based in Romford, England and have been arranging insurance in the UK since 1936.
Devitt is a specialist motorbike insurance company, but also arrange car insurance, van insurance, home insurance and business insurance. Devitt administrate motorbike insurance schemes for other large UK brands including BMW Motorrad in the UK, Post Office, RAC and The Salvation Army.
They compare quotes from their insurance panel, which includes Ageas, Aviva, AXA, Chaucer, Equity Red Star, LV, NIG and Provident.
History
Devitt's roots can be traced back to Thomas Henry Devitt who founded Devitt and Moore in 1836. His grandson Howson Foulger Devitt formed the company that would eventually become Devitt Insurance Services Limited.[1]
In 1936, the Devitt 'DU' motorcycle was launched. It was an innovative idea to sell motorcycle insurance through motorcycle dealers. It allowed customers to ride away from the dealers on their motorcycle on the same day. The scheme was launched in conjunction with "H.P." Motor Policies at Lloyd's.
Devitt 'DU' changes to Devitt 'DA' (Dealers Association) in 1955 and made a massive impact on marketing campaigns for years to come.
1965 saw the creation of Devitt Langton & Dawnay Day Ltd, formed as a holding company for the Devitt broking interests. This meant a shareholding in Langton Underwriting Agencies at Lloyd's and backed by Dawnay Day, a small merchant bank.
The Caravan Club scheme was launched with Devitt in 1972.
The holding company established in 1965 changed its name to Devitt Group Ltd in 1979, due to the expansion of the Devitt broking operations, the sale of the Langton interests and the demise of Dawnay Day.
Steel Burrill Jones Group plc. (SBJ) purchased Devitt Group Ltd in 1989.
In 1990, Devitt Insurance Services Ltd was formed, merging the personal lines and affinity group business which had been developed within the Devitt Group Ltd by its subsidiary companies; Howson F Devitt & Sons Ltd, Devitt DA and Double Cox Tyrie.
Churchill acquired Devitt Insurance Services in 1999.
In 2003, Royal Bank of Scotland bought Churchill group, including Devitt, for £1.1 billion.
Devitt Insurance completed a management buy-out in 2011. Devitt is now owned by William Hughes (Managing Director) and Tony Chapman (Finance Director). Following this, Devitt bought Screentrade from Lloyds TSB. Devitt were arranging car insurance for Screentrade whilst they were both owned by Lloyds. Screentrade was one of the first online insurance/brokers comparison sites.
2016 marks the 80th anniversary of Devitt arranging motorcycle insurance for UK bikers. Devitt's longest standing customer, Trevor, has been insured since 1939 and still rides today.
Keep Britain Biking
Keep Britain Biking is an online biking community site powered by Devitt Insurance. KBB was launched in February 2010 at keepbritainbiking.com.
Keep Britain Biking [2] is free to join and provides a platform for user-generated content; giving bikers from all over the UK a place to come together to share their stories, promote events and get discounts on all-things biking.
Sponsorships
RC Express Racing - in 2016 Devitt became title sponsors of Devitt RC Express Racing, a Bristol-based road race team.
Tommy Hill Motosport ePayMe Yamaha - Devitt sponsored a new British Superbike Team, THM ePayMe Yamaha for 2016.
Max Cook - Devitt sponsor young, talented BSB MotoStar racer Max Cook. Aged 13, Max now has 5 seasons of competitive racing behind him and this year will race in the Moto3 series at the BSB for ReplicastUK Racing.
Biker cafes - Devitt sponsor a number of biker cafes across the UK. These include Ryka's, Wessons, Thunder Road, Pit Stop, H Cafe, Route 1066 Cafe, Super Sausage Cafe and Squires.
SERV - A close partnership with SERV Sussex has been formed since 2005. SERV are a charity made up entirely of volunteers who use their motorcycles to deliver urgent medical supplies all over the country; Devitt provide their fleet insurance free of charge.
The Bike Experience - Devitt sponsor The Bike Experience, a charity that offer disabled bikers the chance to get back on two wheels. They provided a Honda Varadero XL 125 to the charity in 2014.
THINK! - Devitt partner with THINK! to offer motorbike insurance discounts to bikers to encourage them to complete further training courses such as those run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents- ROSPA, the Institute of Advanced Motorists - IAM, and the Enhanced Riders Scheme - ERS.
BikeSafe - Devitt support the National BikeSafe show at Castle Combe. BikeSafe is a nationwide program run by the police force to improve bikers' knowledge and skills when on the road.
The Hugger Challenge - Working closely with Essex Police and Essex County Council, Devitt offer a bike insurance discount to bikers who pass the three part Essex Hugger challenge.
Partnerships
Devitt have been arranging motorhome, car and pet insurance for The Caravan Club for over 40 years.
Devitt run the motorcycle insurance schemes for BMW Motorrad UK, RAC and the Post Office, they also run insurance schemes for SAGIC and Clementine.
Other Brands
Screentrade - Devitt purchased Screentrade [3] in 2011 from Lloyds. Screentrade arranges car, van and motorbike insurance.
Office and Employment
With offices in Romford and Ipswich, Devitt has around 150 members of staff.