BT Financial Group’s insurance result rose 39% in the six months to March 31, boosted by an expanded distribution network and cross-selling across Westpac brands.

Insurance cash earnings for the first half reached $115 million from $83 million in the corresponding period last year.

Total cash earnings for BT Financial advanced 15% to $345 million compared with $301 million a year earlier. Insurance accounted for a third of the earnings at BT, the Australian wealth management unit of Westpac.

“A key feature of the performance has been the continued improvement in cross-sell of insurance across Westpac RBB, St George and in the private wealth business in BT,” the company says in its earnings statement.

Life insurance cash earnings gained 11% to $73 million. Revenue increased 8% and net earned premiums gained 19%.

The business expanded distribution through independent and aligned financial planner networks, more than offsetting margin compression and an increase in claims.

General insurance cash earnings rose to $25 million from a $5 million loss in the previous period. Revenue rose $45 million as annual pricing reviews and cross-selling boosted net earned premiums by 21%. The gross written premium advanced 16% to $198 million.

Catastrophe claims fell $9 million compared to the high level in the first half of 2012.

Lenders mortgage insurance revenue fell $9 million as mortgage growth remained modest. Gross written premium fell to $25 million from $32 million a year earlier.