MGA staff offered new roles in outsourcing deal
02/06/2010 09:00:00 by Marketing
Five UK General staff are set to be affected after the underwriting agency signed an outsourcing agreement with Direct Group.
Under the terms, Direct Group will take responsibility for processing non-complex commercial and motor claims. This equates to around 3000 claims a year.
Michael Warren, UK General chief operating officer, told Post that the staff impacted are claims handlers who currently work in Manchester. Under the terms of the agreement they will be offered relocation under transfer of undertakings regulations.
He added: "This is about each organisation doing what it does best. We know that Direct Group is a claims specialist and our experience of them has been good. It is a cost-effective solution, and the policyholder will get a better outcome."
Mr Warren said he believed the employees that decide to move will benefit because they are joining a larger organisation from a claims perspective: "There are far more opportunities there than within a relatively small claims team in an organisation like ours. Geography always plays a part in whether individuals are able to practically move from Manchester to Halifax. It will depend on their individual circumstances and that is what they are all considering now as part of the consultation."
The consultation period started on 18 May and will last for one month.
Mr Warren concluded by reiterating UK General is not looking for a new CEO to replace Tim Rolfe who left the group in March, continuing with Howard Posner as executive chairman.
http://www.postonline.co.uk/post/news/1652135/mga-staff-offered-roles-outsourcing-deal
Claims staff transferred to Direct Group to process motor and commercial policies
27/05/2010 08:30:00 by Marketing
UK General Insurance (UKGI) has signed a deal with Direct Group to outsource its non-complex commercial and motor claims, resulting in a number of staff being transferred over.
UK General Claims staff who currently work in Manchester and are affected by the agreement will be offered new roles in Direct Group at Elland, Halifax, under TUPE regulations.
UKGI claims director Nicola Lightowler said the decision was part of an ongoing strategic review aimed at making UK General one of the UK’s leading niche and specialist insurers among independent brokers.
She said the agreement with Direct Group will deliver further efficiencies without compromising service. “Brokers have told us that rapid and efficient claims processing is a top priority for them, and we are confident Direct Group can help us achieve this for our commoditised claims.”
Lightowler said UK General will retain a small team of technical claims experts to deal with all liability and high value property and motor claims.
“Our technical claims experts will now be able to fully focus on these complex claims, which will further improve UK General’s service to brokers in this key area,” she said.
Direct Group chief executive Derek Coles said the agreement built on an earlier partnership deal (signed in February 2009) between his company and Longhawk before the merger in June last year between Longhawk and Primary General to form UK General Insurance.
He said: “We already administer UK General’s claims in the travel, liability, GAP, creditor and property markets, and we are delighted to extend the relationship further by adding non-complex motor and commercial property claims to our claims administration portfolio.”
He added: “It marks the continued development of our strategy to offer a leading multi-product outsourced claims and administration model across a number of markets.”
http://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=13&storycode=384661
MetLife outsources back office to Direct Group
07/01/2009 09:00:00 by Marketing
MetLife’s UK Protection Business, MetLife Limited and MetLife Insurance Limited, announced today it had reached agreement with Direct Group to transfer its administration and claims handling activity to Direct Group in a 5 year deal as part of its ongoing plans to develop further in the UK market.
The administration contract will cover a broad range of protection based products including Mortgage PPI, Credit Card PPI, Income Protection, Loan PPI (secured & unsecured) & Personal Accident.
Colin Moody Managing Director of MetLife’s UK Protection Business commented “MetLife are very pleased to be working with Direct Group, as they have demonstrated expertise in administering the products we underwrite and focus on great customer service”.
Derek Coles Chief Executive Officer added “the outsourcing of administration to Direct Group shows a growing relationship with MetLife and continues the company’s expansion in the outsourcing arena. The successful transition of a number of blue chip names including MetLife further demonstrates the delivery capabilities of our business. I am delighted to start the year on such a positive note”.
Notes to Editors
Company Background
Direct Group has grown rapidly since its launch in 1990 and was subject to a management buyout in August 2007; the management team acquired the business with the backing of Lloyds Development Capital and Barclays Bank. This deal has been the launch pad for rapid growth for Direct Group as it on track to treble over the next three years through acquisition and organic growth.
Company Vision and Culture
As a Managing General Agent (MGA), Direct Group aims to be the leading insurance services provider to the UK financial services marketplace. This vision is based around a philosophy of “treating customers and partners as we would expect to be treated ourselves”. The high quality of service offered by Direct Group is supported by a scalable and robust business platform which not only provides Clients’ and Insurers’ with unparalleled quality of management information but also provides the basis for expansion into new products and new market sectors.
Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities. The services offered by Direct Group include product design, account development and training, policy administration, premium collection, claim handling and sales, insurer and captive reporting.
Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA.
For further information contact Hilary Thompson – PA to Directors, Direct Group 01302 380302 or e-mail hilarythompson@directgroup.co.uk
MetLife Limited and MetLife Insurance Limited
MetLife Limited and MetLife Insurance Limited (MetLife) are affiliates of MetLife, Inc. MetLife offers creditor, personal accident and critical illness through major banking partners in the United Kingdom and the European Union. For more information about MetLife, please visit the company’s website at www.metlife.co.uk
MetLife, Inc., through its affiliates, reaches more than 70 million customers in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. Affiliated companies, outside of the U.K., include the number one life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance inforce), with over 140 years of experience and relationships with more than 90 of the top one hundred FORTUNE 500® companies. The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, automobile and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savings products and services to corporations and other institutions.
For further information contact Katie Delamain – Blunt, Marketing Manager, MetLife.
07827 950 379 or email Katie.delamain-blunt@uk.metlife.com
