Tokio Marine is nearing what would be its largest-ever acquisition, with Suncorp now the preferred target after months spent weighing rival prospects in Australia and Canada, the Financial Times reported.
The push for an overseas takeover by the Berkshire Hathaway-backed Japanese insurer is part of a broader strategy under CEO Masahiro Koike to expand the group's footprint beyond its domestic market.
Tokio Marine had reportedly been weighing several options including Australia's Insurance Australia Group (IAG) and Suncorp, alongside Canada's Intact Financial Corporation.
Suncorp and IAG are valued at approximately $14bn (A$19.55bn) and $13bn, respectively, whilst Intact carries a market value of around $34bn (C$47.08bn).
According to sources cited in the report, Intact was dropped from consideration on account of its size, leaving Suncorp as the frontrunner.
However, the sources cautioned that discussions remain ongoing and a deal is not yet certain.
Berkshire Hathaway acquired a 2.49% stake in Tokio Marine in March 2026, a move accompanied by an agreement to jointly pursue large-scale acquisitions internationally, combining Berkshire Hathaway's financial backing with Tokio Marine's deal-making track record.
Since 2008, the Japanese insurer has completed five major overseas acquisitions in the general insurance space, worth a combined $19bn (Y3.03tn).
The largest of these was its $7.5bn acquisition of America's HCC.
Sources indicated that the Berkshire Hathaway partnership was structured specifically to pursue insurance transactions outside Japan, allowing Tokio Marine to direct its domestic resources towards investment at home.
Tokio Marine previously provided cover to supply chain finance company Greensill Capital, which collapsed in 2021.
This followed its 2019 acquisition of Sydney-based Bond & Credit, a transaction that also included the purchase of IAG's 50% stake in that venture.
Suncorp, the parent of the AAMI and GIO brands, has attracted acquisition interest since divesting its banking arm to ANZ in 2024.
The insurer posted a A$1bn net profit this month, alongside a special dividend and share buyback.
"Tokio Marine nears Suncorp takeover bid – report" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.