INSURER Hiscox has said it has big plans for 2013 as the company opens a new multi-function office in York.

In its preliminary results for the year ending December 31, the company said: “In 2013 Hiscox UK has a big agenda.

“We are launching a tied agency to address gaps in our current model, working direct and in partnership with specialist commercial brokers who don’t have in-house private client expertise but who want to offer a Hiscox home insurance policy to their clients.

“We also announced our plans to open a multi-function office in York during 2013, with progressive in-sourcing of some of our direct customer service centres. We have had effective relationships with our outsourcing partners for over a decade, but we feel that the next stage in our journey requires greater control over critical aspects of our customer service.”

The global business, which is driven by the Lloyds of London brand, increased profits to £217.1 million, despite Hurricane Sandy and UK flooding, up from £17.3 million in 2011, a year unusually high in disasters.

Its Hiscox UK business recorded a profit of £45.2 million, down from £49 million in 2011, impacted by record flooding in the UK. Bronek Masojada, chief executive, said with only single-digit market share in the UK retail business, it had room for growth.