Axa Insurance to close 40% of its branches in the Republic of Ireland

A “pronounced switch” by customers away from face-to-face engagement in favour of phone and online has been blamed for the pending closure of more than 40% of Axa’s branches in the Republic of Ireland.

According to the motor insurer, 54% of its customers favour phone-based purchases and 34% favour online, with just 9% keen on face-to-face interaction in their local branch.

That is according to research undertaken by the company among its customers and used to justify its decision to close 18 of its 42 branches, starting next year.