"Although, as expected, profit has decreased against last year, the unique conditions of the pandemic years make 2019 a better comparison - with profit and customer numbers increasing by 19% and 35% respectively since then," Admiral Chief Executive Milena Mondini de Focatiis said in a statement.

The company said it would pay a total interim dividend, which included a further special dividend following the sale of the Penguin Portals comparison businesses, of 105 pence per share.

($1 = 0.8280 pounds)

(Reporting by Huw Jones, editing by Sinead Cruise)