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RIAS SCOOPS PRESTIGIOUS ‘PERSONAL LINES BROKER OF THE YEAR’ AWARD
Sought after accolade given at 2010 British Insurance Awards
RIAS, the specialist over 50s insurer, is celebrating after being named the ‘Personal Lines Broker of the Year’ at the 2010 British Insurance Awards – presented in front of 2,000 people from across the industry at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The award recognised the repositioning of RIAS through a new brand vision and proposition to differentiate itself from competitors, as well as achieving continued growth.
Commercially the insurance provider, which is part of Fortis (Insurance UK), delivered a profit of £24.8 million and a substantial income increase, as well as growing its Motor Insurance book by some 13%, all amidst the backdrop of a challenging economic climate. The brand boasts almost one million customers across its Motor, Home and Travel Insurance portfolio and employs over 1,000 people in the UK.
Janet Connor, Managing Director of RIAS, said: “It was an absolute honour to be recognised by the insurance industry’s finest, and to collect this prestigious award on behalf of all the RIAS employees, who have all made a valued, individual contribution to our success. Not only have we invested heavily in our brand over the last 12 months, we have also continued to launch a number of market-leading products to meet our customers’ needs, and focused on employee development to ensure that every contact our customers have with RIAS is the best it can possibly be.”
RIAS offers a truly outstanding proposition, guiding customers through the choices they have to make and helping them to select the best product for their needs.
As well as investing in service, the over 50s specialist has also added a range of innovative products to its portfolio over the past year. It was the first insurer to introduce a Motor Excess Protection product, selling over 32,000 policies. In addition, its MOT Protection cover was the first of its kind to be offered by an insurance provider to the over 50s motor insurance market, giving up to £650 cover for repair or replacement costs following a MOT failure.
Janet Connor concludes: “This year has been about getting products right, about ensuring that customers are getting experienced team members to guide them at every step of the way through their relationship with RIAS, and communicating to consumers that we’re delivering the sort of service they demand and deserve through our hugely successful Brand campaign.”
RIAS’ parent company, Fortis (Insurance, UK), was also a winner at the British Insurance Awards. The insurer scooped the ‘Customer Care’ Award, ‘Claims Initiative of the Year’ Award and the ‘Technology’ Award. These awards recognised Fortis’ own initiatives to deliver best-of-breed customer service, processes and technology to make customers’ experiences better and build longer term relationships.
Pictured receiving the ‘Personal Lines Broker of the Year’ Award from Aviva’s Sam Hudson is Janet Connor, Managing Director of RIAS:
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For further information, please contact:
Lucy Pope, Consumer Communications Manager, RIAS on 01202 254445 or email lucy.pope@fortis-uk.com, or Blair Catchpole, Consumer Communications Executive on 01202 254489 or email Blair.Catchpole@fortis-uk.com
Notes to Editors
About RIAS
RIAS was established in 1992 and is a specialist award-winning provider of insurance products for the over 50s age group.
Part of Fortis (Insurance UK) Limited, RIAS has nearly a million motor, home and travel insurance customers and employs over 1,100 people across two UK sites. RIAS negotiates with a panel of insurers to secure competitive, value for money products.
As a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK, Fortis has a successful customer-centric strategy, founded on aligning its activities to how customers want to buy insurance, combined with delivering high quality products, manufactured at costs better than market norms.
Insuring in the region of 7 million customers and working with a range of partners, Fortis is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. In 2009, its non-life profit before tax and interest was £29 million and its non-life GWP was £805 million.