IAG cleared to buy Lumley

IAG cleared to buy Lumley

The Commerce Commission has granted clearance to IAG (NZ) Holdings Limited to acquire Lumley General Insurance (N.Z.) Limited.

The proposed acquisition forms part of a wider acquisition by IAG’s parent, Insurance Australia Group Ltd, of the Australian and New Zealand underwriting businesses of Wesfarmers Ltd, Lumley’s parent.

The Commission is satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition, for personal and commercial insurance products.

Lumley has a small presence in personal home, contents and motor vehicle insurance, where three main insurance providers (IAG, Vero, Tower) will continue to operate in New Zealand in addition to a number of other companies providing general insurance products. While Lumley’s presence is larger in commercial insurance, as with personal insurance, a number of providers will continue to operate in New Zealand including Vero, QBE, Zurich, Allianz, AIG, ACE and others.

Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Mark Berry says IAG will still need to compete with other insurers on price and quality.

“By their nature all mergers create a larger company with a greater market share. However, that does not mean that a substantial lessening of competition in the market naturally follows. In this case the Commission is satisfied competition remains.”

“We have considered submissions from a number of interested parties and we are confident that IAG’s purchase of Lumley will not materially change the provision of services or the ability of customers to shop around as other companies will be able to expand to replace Lumley’s position,” said Dr Berry.

A public version of the written reasons for the decision will be available shortly on the Commission’s website:http://www.comcom.govt.nz/business-competition/mergers-and-acquisitions/clearances/clearances-register/

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