Zurich says it will initially target unit-rated cases of 20 lives and over as it seeks to establish a solid platform for future growth, although these limits are expected to change in a few months.
The provider, which has expressed the intention to become a top five player by 2012, says it is aiming to differentiate itself from competitors through high levels of service, which will be backed up by a ‘service charter’ it describes as unique in the market. This charter includes a commitment to turning quotes around in five days and issuing accounts within 10 days.
Zurich says it is tailoring its offering so it can be better understood by employers, a move which will see it describing benefits in terms of salary rather than claim value.
It is offering forward underwriting on both group income protection and group life up to £3m, telephone underwriting and dedicated case management for claimants. It will offer pay direct should clients want it. Its life product has a catastrophe limit of £100m and a group travel limit of £25m.
Jonathan Plumtree head of Zurich Corporate Risk says: “Our service charter is our overarching commitment to intermediaries. It sets out the promise we make to them, which is central to our proposition of high quality service. We are determined to offer competitively priced, attractive products to meet the varied needs of corporate customers.”
Bob Cheesewright, propositions director at Zurich Corporate Risk says: “The way we have addressed our product offering is by trying to put flesh on the bones of treating customers fairly. We have focused on the impact of the underwriting process on the end customer.”
