Direct Line Group partners with digital bank Starling

Direct Line Group has partnered with the UK’s leading digital bank Starling to allow current account customers to apply for home insurance directly through Starling’s in app-Marketplace. The partnership comes as part of Direct Line Group’s commitment to making insurance easier and more accessible for customers.

Starling Bank launched in 2014 and is one of the fastest growing banks in the UK. It offers customers a fully digital experience where all banking is done in the app, without the need to visit a branch. The bank has also developed their own digital in-app ‘Marketplace’ which allows data to be shared securely with other organisations, giving the customers who have opted in access to a suite of financial products that help them manage their money.

This partnership means Starling Bank customers are now able to securely connect their accounts with Direct Line Group’s well-known home insurance brand Churchill. Those who consent to share their data will benefit from a streamlined quote process that will save time and effort.

The partnership uses API (Application Programming Interface) technology and is part of Direct Line Group’s distribution strategy to partner with new businesses that can help develop innovative solutions that resonate with customers through leveraging data.

Rob Fleet, Director of partnerships at Direct Line Group, said, “We are delighted to be working with Starling Bank. We recognise that the platform economy provides significant opportunities to streamline the insurance experience. Starling Bank are at the forefront of this movement and this partnership enables us to innovate as we continue to make insurance easier and better value for customers by providing seamless access to our insurance services through transactional APIs.

Anne Boden, Chief Executive Officer, Starling Bank, said: “Churchill is a well-known and trusted brand and we are both committed to using technology to financially empower our customers. Partnering with Churchill means Starling customers will save valuable time and effort on their house insurance.”

Through the partnership, Starling customers will be offered buildings and contents cover with a range of comprehensive features and benefits*. Customers who choose to select home insurance through the in-app Market Place will be directed to Churchill’s quote and buy page after opting in to have some of their details pre-filled. If a customer chooses to convert their quote to a policy, details of the start and end date will be stored within the customer’s account with Starling Bank.

For more information about Churchill Home Insurance visit www.churchill.com