SBG

What SBG does

Somerset Bridge Group (SBG) is a privately held UK motor and commercial fleet insurance group headquartered in Bristol, operating through three subsidiaries: Somerset Bridge Insurance Services Limited (FCA-regulated brokerage and MGA running the GoSkippy and Vavista consumer brands), Somerset Bridge Ltd (underwriting and claims processing), and Somerset Bridge Shared Services Limited (group support functions). The group serves more than 500,000 live motor policyholders and over 700,000 cumulative customers, with SBISL Fleet extending into commercial fleet cover for logistics, haulage, courier and specialist vehicle operators via UK broker partners.

The group generates revenue through recurring motor insurance premiums across its personal lines brands, commission and underwriting margin on its commercial fleet book (capacity provided by A-rated partners Alwyn and Watford Insurance), and transaction fees from an end-to-end third-party non-fault claims service integrated with Enterprise Rent-A-Car for replacement vehicles. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer digital channels (GoSkippy and Vavista websites) with a select broker network for fleet, and the group is expanding technology investment into computer-vision-based fraud detection (Document Manipulation Detection Solution) and early-stage agentic AI experimentation in the Risk function, underpinned by a stated data and pricing analytics foundation.

SBG is wholly owned by Arch Re, a global A+ rated reinsurer that acquired the group in August 2021 to anchor its UK motor coinsurance and reinsurance capacity. The group employs more than 600 people in the UK and 360 in South Africa, holds FCA authorisation (FRN 477112), and in 2025 achieved Gold Investors in People accreditation alongside industry recognition including Personal Lines Broker of the Year at the British Insurance Awards and MGA of the Year at the Insurance Broker Awards.

Name

SBG

Legal name

Somerset Bridge Group Limited

Website

https://eldoninsurance.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Somerset Bridge Group is a UK motor and commercial fleet insurance group operating through the GoSkippy, Vavista, and SBISL Fleet brands, serving over 500,000 live policyholders and broker partners with FCA-regulated underwriting, claims, and third-party claims services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motor Insurance

NAICS

Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers (52412), Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers (524126), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

SIC

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance (FSAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fleet & Commercial Auto Liability (FSAJABAA)

Keywords

• Motor insurance products
• Commercial fleet insurance
• Third-party claims services
• Personal lines insurance
• Insurance underwriting

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Motor Insurance Premiums: Recurring insurance premiums from personal motor insurance policies sold through GoSkippy and Vavista brands. Over 700,000 customers served.
2. Commercial Fleet Insurance: Customised fleet risk solutions for UK broker partners, backed by A Rated Insurers partnership
3. Third Party Claims Services: End-to-end management of third-party non-fault claims including vehicle recovery, repairs, replacement vehicles, and compensation

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Somerset Bridge Group is a UK motor insurance group that sells personal motor insurance directly to consumers under the GoSkippy and Vavista brands, distributes commercial fleet insurance through a select network of UK broker partners backed by A-rated insurers, and manages end-to-end third-party non-fault claims services including vehicle recovery, repairs, replacement vehicles, and compensation. The group has served over 700,000 customers with more than 500,000 live policies and processes nearly 50,000 claims annually.

Product overview

SBG operates as a UK motor insurance group offering multiple insurance products through distinct brands. The group is organized across three entities: Somerset Bridge Insurance Services Limited (SBISL) operates the GoSkippy and Vavista insurance brands serving over 700,000 customers; Somerset Bridge Ltd handles underwriting and claims processing for approximately 50,000 claims annually; and Somerset Bridge Shared Services Limited provides support functions. The portfolio includes GoSkippy (car and home insurance with 5-star ratings), Vavista (car-only insurance with sustainability/tree-planting initiatives), and commercial fleet insurance for broker partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GoSkippy: Innovative car insurance brand offering 5-star rated products and services, providing motor insurance that gives customers peace of mind.
• Vavista
• SBISL Fleet

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 500,000 live policies sold
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Eden: People + PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partnership where Vavista plants a tree for every new policy sold. Trees are planted in regions hit hardest by deforestation including Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar and Zambia. Over 400,000 trees planted as of 2025, covering approximately 500 football pitches.
• Alwyn Insurance Company LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Rated insurer partner providing reinsurance capacity for SBG's commercial fleet insurance solutions. Part of the partnership enabling customized fleet risk solutions for UK broker partners.
• Watford Insurance Company Europe LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Rated insurer partner providing reinsurance capacity for SBG's commercial fleet insurance solutions alongside Alwyn Insurance.
• Bristol City Football ClubflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGoSkippy brand sponsorship on the back of Bristol City FC Men's team shirts for nearly two and a half seasons. Partnership connects brand to Bristol community and provides nationwide brand visibility through football coverage.
• Enterprise Rent-A-CarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain supplier of hire cars for third-party non-fault claims service. Enterprise provides replacement vehicles for claimants involved in non-fault accidents, arranged through SBG's claims service.
• Severn Wildlife RescueminorOthersCharity partnership where Chief People Officer volunteers as small mammal rehabilitator, particularly for bat rescue, rehabilitation and release.
• Dynamo North EastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit organization focused on promoting, strengthening and growing the technology sector across the North East. CIO serves on Advisory Board and supports flagship annual technology festival TechNExt.
• Aspens CharitiesminorOthersCharity supporting people with autism and learning disabilities. Group CFO serves as trustee and chair of Finance Committee.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LV= (Liverpool Victoria): LV= is a major UK mutual insurer offering motor, home, and life products primarily through broker and direct channels. Comparable as a UK personal motor underwriter, but operates at larger scale with multi-line product diversification.
• Admiral Group: Admiral Group is the UK's largest motor insurer by market share, operating price comparison-led brands (Admiral, Elephant, Diamond). Comparable to SBG in D2C and PCW-driven UK motor focus, but at materially greater scale and with international diversification.
• Direct Line Group: Direct Line Group is one of the UK's largest general insurers, operating multiple motor brands (Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege, Darwin). Comparable to SBG as a major UK motor player, but operates at substantially larger scale across home, travel, and commercial lines.

Direct peers

• Markerstudy Group: Markerstudy is a major UK motor insurance MGA and broker group operating across personal lines, commercial fleet, and broker services. Highly comparable to SBG in business model, scale (~multi-hundred million GWP), and UK motor market focus; SBG's chairman Martyn Holman previously held roles at Markerstudy.
• esure Group: esure is a UK challenger direct-to-consumer motor and home insurer (Sheilas' Wheels, esure) competing head-to-head with GoSkippy and Vavista in the online broker/aggregator channel. Comparable scale, distribution model, and product focus.
• Ageas UK: Ageas UK is a top-10 UK personal lines and commercial motor insurer offering motor and home products through broker and direct channels. Comparable to SBG as a UK motor insurance underwriter serving both personal and fleet segments; SBG's chairman Martyn Holman previously worked at Ageas.
• Sabre Insurance Group: Sabre Insurance Group is a London-listed UK motor insurer specializing in private car insurance distributed via price comparison websites. Closely comparable to SBG's GoSkippy/Vavista business in PCW-led personal motor underwriting.
• Hastings Group: Hastings Group is a UK digital-first motor and home insurer serving millions of customers via the Hastings Direct brand and Price Comparison Websites. Closely comparable to SBG's D2C digital-led challenger model and UK personal lines focus.
• Asta (formerly Brokerbility / iprism): Asta is a UK MGA platform providing delegated authority and capacity management for broker partners across commercial and personal lines. Comparable to SBG in the MGA/broker-distribution model and capacity-provider relationships for commercial fleet.

Others

• Arch Insurance (Arch Re subsidiary): Arch Insurance is the sister primary insurance arm of Arch Re, SBG's parent. Comparable as a fellow Arch group company operating in UK insurance markets; relevant for understanding capital relationships and parent strategic alignment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/somerset-bridge-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SBG