Direct Line Group recently held an event at Bafta, which saw 86 Idea Lab submitters, come together in recognition of the ingenious, and sometimes simple, ways they have helped the business.

Idea Lab has been going for two years, resulting in £3 million savings.

Since launch, staff working at Direct Line Group have submitted over 5,000 ideas to the forum. Some of these top ideas have included checking whether a vehicle has a valid MOT and is legally roadworthy before making a claim and drivers carrying tool kits when returning vehicles to customer in case any further minor damage arises on the delivery.

For ideas that save the company money, idea instigators can receive 1% of the money saved – up to a maximum of £50,000. So far, a total of £126,000 has been awarded to colleagues and charities.

More than 80% of staff have signed up to Idea Lab and nearly half of all suggestions have made things easier for Direct Line Group customers.

Simon Linares, HR director, Direct Line Group, said: “We’ve created a culture which rewards people for challenging ideas and thinking differently, as well as delivering results. As a result, our fantastic colleagues feel empowered to challenge our process and the ideas lab ensures that their ideas are heard, and implemented. This helps us as a business deliver for our customers, making insurance much easier and better value.”