27th May 2010
UK General Insurance Ltd, the Leeds-based niche and specialist insurer, is to further streamline its in-house claims processes after signing a new outsourcing agreement with Direct Group. Under the agreement, Direct Group will deepen its relationship with UK General and take responsibility for processing non-complex commercial and motor claims.
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.
UK General's Director of Claims, 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."
Ms 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.
Derek Coles, Direct Group Chief Executive Officer 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."
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UK General is a trading name of: Acumus Insurance Solutions Limited (Co No: 03487744, Firm No: 309647) | Primary General Insurance Limited (4401961, 308347) | Rural Insurance Group Limited (2207611, 308317) | TPS (Insurance Admin Services) Limited (02587396, 311788) UK Underwriting Limited (4506493, 310101) who are all authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Cast House, Old Mill Business Park, Gibraltar Island Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1RJ.