Direct Line Insurance Group has said it will pursue "value over volume" in 2014 to safeguard its profit margins.

Chief executive Paul Geddes made that pledge as full-year results for 2013 showed the group's pre-tax profits leapt 70% higher to £423.9 million.

That was helped by a swingeing cost-cutting programme that has already seen 1200 jobs axed and another 2000 put under threat.

The owner of Churchill and Direct Line said it expects a bill of up to £110m from the British storms this year.