Public go to internet for insurance

Consumers are flocking online to take out insurance and other financial products, according to Moneysupermarket.com, which yesterday said it expected a 20 per cent surge in annual revenues to £178m.

Moneysupermarket credited "higher levels of marketing spend" for keeping sales growing over Christmas and into the new year.

The price comparison website has hired a new advertising agency, Mother, which came up with the slogan "You're so Moneysupermarket" last year. The first commercial featured a man on a surfing holiday who gained superpowers by using the website, while an ad set in Las Vegas launched this week.

Profits before exceptionals are set to hit £49.5m in the year to February against £41m the previous year. Analysts at Credit Suisse noted that the fourth quarter was stronger than the previous three months.