The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is planning to next month release findings on the proposed IAG and Allianz acquisitions of motoring club insurance operations after previously extending the review timeframe. 

IAG in November announced an $855 million acquisition of RACQ’s insurance underwriting and a planned long-term distribution deal. A few days later Allianz Australia announced a similar $642 million transaction with SA motoring group RAA.  

The ACCC, which in January commenced informal reviews of the deals, says it has received further information from each of the firms, its review timelines have recommenced, and May 22 is the provisional date for either final decisions, or the release of statements of issues. 

The regulator said on its website early this month that it was seeking further details from the parties, and the initial provisional date of April 24 for announcing findings would be pushed back. 

Issues under consideration include how closely the companies compete in the supply of personal lines insurance and the likely impacts on prices and quality of products, plus the likely impact of IAG and Allianz’s increased scale on the acquisition of ancillary repair services.