Zurich launches new direct insurance offering in Germany

Zurich.– Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) announces the launch of its new pan-European direct insurance offering Zurich Connect, in Germany. As part of the European-wide roll out of Zurich Connect, customers in Germany can now buy insurance policies easily and direct through the internet on http://www.zurichconnect.de/.

Germany is the first country to go live with its direct offering on the new Zurich Connect platform with a product range across the consumer market. German customers can now select from car, household and private liability insurance policies, with more products to become available in 2008. Zurich is the first insurer to introduce a unified pan-European set of products and services on the web that makes it possible to offer similar products on a European scale. These products can be tailored to local standards and legal requirements in each country.

In addition to the products now available in Germany, small businesses customers in the UK can purchase commercial vehicle insurance through Zurich Connect. More products have been available to dedicated partners in the UK and in Spain over recent months. In Switzerland direct market leader Züritel was rebranded and has been successfully selling products under the Zurich Connect name since June 2007.

Zurich Connect’s value proposition is about building loyalty with European customers. Having an effective operating model and IT platform enables Zurich Connect to offer discounts for customer loyalty and positive claims histories. Furthermore, Zurich Connect will reward customers for the number of insurance products they buy.

Zurich Connect offers, for the first time, the opportunity for customers to view their account on-line, seeing exactly what products they have, what their cover levels are, and to update their details if necessary. They will also be able to notify new claims online. The customer service provided by Zurich Connect will also include a modern 24 hour, 7 day a week contact center.

“Our customers will profit from attractive offers and from a transparent premium system,” said Theo Bouts, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich’s Direct Business and Partnership unit Europe. “The new solution enables Zurich, as one of the leading pan-European direct insurers, to achieve significant cost savings and pass them on to our customers. We will be bringing the Zurich Connect proposition to further major markets in Europe over the next few years,” Bouts added.

Direct insurance is offering growth opportunities
With the exponential growth of the direct insurance and partnership business in many European markets, Zurich is ideally placed to capitalize on growth opportunities. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, direct insurance, conducted through the internet and telephone, is well-established alongside the more traditional distribution channels as it is easily accessible for customers.

Zurich is expecting the European direct business to generate an additional USD 1 billion in gross written premiums and policy fees within the next five years. This demonstrates the importance of the direct business in contributing to the profitable growth of the Group and supporting its aspiration to become a top five insurer globally.

One risk carrier for all EU-countries
All Zurich Connect policies in EU countries will be underwritten by Zurich Insurance Ireland Limited, based in Dublin. This means that all such policies would benefit from the EU Non-Life Insurance directives enabling the freedom to provide services.