Latest blogging from Direct Group. http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/ 2012-02-05T21:49:04+00:00 text/html 2011-11-15T14:03:05+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/50/ Only Young Drivers has today announced that it will be outsourcing its day-to-day administration to Direct Group in a move which is said to support the firm’s “aggressive growth plans”. Meanwhile, the Guildford-based under-25 car insurance broker has also been trialling the use Voice Risk Analysis technology to help pinpoint and underwrite more careful young drivers who have seen their premiums increase by 40% in the past year. Tony Martin, managing director, OYD, said: "It's a key stage in the development of the business enabling us to focus on marketing the OYD brand through price comparison sites. "Our insurer panel is keen to build on the profitable portfolios we've established with them to date. We plan to be on up to five price comparison sites in the next 18 months." Derek Coles, chief executive, Direct Group, added: "The outsourcing of sales and administration to Direct Group by Only Young Drivers is a great opportunity to work with an innovative and ambitious company and continues the company's expansion in the outsourcing arena and into wider propositions, such as young drivers. I am delighted with this news." text/html 2011-10-20T09:46:44+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/48/ John Baldock, Director of Investigation Services at Direct Group has recently been interviewed and features in this month's Ordnance Survey magazine 'Closer.' John answers a number of questions regarding Ordnance Survey data and how it helps to compile irrefutable evidence to repudiate fraudulent claims. Click here to view the article and find out more text/html 2011-10-13T09:59:25+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/47/ Most of us in claims-related roles or who read the newspapers will be aware of the recent public disorder and riots in London and elsewhere around the country back in August 2011. This has posed challenges for both businesses and families affected, whether insured or uninsured. Direct Group, through an existing relationship with Haringey Council, were approached through brokers Marsh by “Business In The Community”, a London based not-for-profit organisation, to offer advice and expertise to local businesses and individuals who are still in the process of picking up the pieces following the recent riots. David Oakes, Head of UK Field Operations at Direct Group, was able to attend and offer advice and assistance to those affected by the rioting. Tottenham, in North London was the first and probably one of the worst hit areas in the country during the riots, which lasted up to four or five nights in some areas. It is an ethnically diverse and fairly deprived area of London. In direct response to the riots Haringey Council had set up a drop-in advice centre (Community Advice Centre or CAC). CAC ended up seeing over a hundred families and small business owners. Direct Group’s involvement included providing advice and close co-ordination with Business support team, who were dealing directly with businesses affected, who were then referring to Direct Group for specific advice concerning their insurance, as well individuals and families who were seeking advice on how their insurance company could help them. It quickly became apparent that more than half of the people looking for assistance were completely uninsured. In case of rioting a right of recovery exists against the local Police authority under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 for damage caused or property lost - however there was a good deal of confusion over exactly what the act covered and how the process was supposed to work. Direct Group were able to research the background to the Act and share this information with Haringey and BITC, and then prepare a guidance document explaining how to approach the Police for compensation. The original claim form provided by the ABI for this purpose dated from the 1920’s and the last time there was use for the act was during the Brixton race riots in the 1980’s. An updated claim form was made available by the Direct Gov website which Direct Group ensured was properly disseminated. text/html 2011-08-11T10:13:10+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/46/ In response to the claims arising out of the civil disturbances across the UK, Direct Group has set up a "Riot Response" team to ensure immediate support and advice for policyholders, many of whom have suffered substantial damage/losses to their homes, vehicles and businesses. Direct Group are also conscious of the stringent requirements of the Riot Damage legislation in relation to recoveries and our claims process is geared towards ensuring all statutory requirements are adhered to as far as possible to protect our client's subrogated rights. Current claims handling services arrangements may well be in place, however, in the event of additional capacity being required we would be happy to assist with any of the following areas: First Notification Of Loss (FNOL) Overflow Recoveries For more information, please contact Graeme Bell, Claims Development Director graemebell@directgroup.co.uk      text/html 2011-06-09T09:23:29+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/45/ This weekend, Direct Group will be advertised on the Marussia Virgin Racing F1 cars of Timo Glock and Jérôme D’Ambrosio. For this F1 season, our backers agreed to share their external advertising rights and so for the Canadian grand prix Direct Group will appear. As pictured, our company logo will be positioned on the side of the nose cone, near to the front suspension, alongside the front Pirelli tyres. This opportunity symbolises what our group is renowned for as it links strongly to our focus on precision solutions, technology and speed to market; and with our company ethos – WHERE INSURANCE AND INNOVATION COMBINE Click here for more pictures from the event text/html 2011-06-08T09:33:28+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/44/ Direct Group would like to extend their thanks to everyone that visited stand F36 at BIBA 2011. Direct Group were delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit at BIBA for the first time and raise our profile to all brokers, new and old at Manchester’s fantastic venue. We would like to thank all those exhibitors and brokers that entered our competition to win an iPad 2 and we are sure the lucky winner, David Chapman of Sagicor, will fully enjoy his prize.   Director of Marketing, Richard Miles (left) presents David Chapman of Sagicor (right) his new iPad2.   Those that came to speak with us hopefully will have learnt that we are one of the UK’s leading insurance service providers, delivering outsourced solutions across a wide range of personal lines products. The breadth of services includes all elements of the insurance value chain from policy administration to claims handling. If you missed out and wish to learn more about our Product and Services please contact marketing@directgroup.co.uk It was an enjoyable two days and we’re already looking forward to seeing you all back in Manchester next year.   text/html 2011-06-02T08:59:04+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/43/ Direct Group has agreed a strategic partnership between its Direct Validation Services (DVS) business and Jewellery Validation Service (JVS). The new agreement means Direct Group will now offer an independent jewellery validation service. Direct Group said this will increase DVS’s ability to validate all items of a home contents claim. DVS was acquired by Direct Group last year. Derek Coles, chief executive at Direct Group said: “The software is incredibly easy to use, insurers can use it both in house or, by logging onto the DVS service. The program instantly gathers all relevant information, returning an on the spot valuation and pricing structure. Alternatively via Direct Validation Services FNOL, validation can be fully outsourced with all other contents claims where Direct Group is able to detect exaggeration, misinformation, fraudulent documentation and inconsistencies”. Tim Belson of JVS added: “We are delighted to be working as part of Direct Groups supply chain. A substantial number of claims with a jewellery loss can be validated immediately against current gold and precious stone prices from the instantly accessible database that JVS has embedded in the system”.   text/html 2011-04-07T09:00:23+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/42/ Direct Group, as a leading insurance solutions provider, are pleased to announce they are exhibiting at this year’s BIBA conference in May. Direct Group specialise in delivering solutions across a wide range of personal and commercial insurance products.  Our solutions combine insurance experience with technological and product innovation covering all elements of the insurance value chain from facilitating distribution capability to claims handling. Derek Coles, Chief Executive Officer said “This is a fantastic opportunity for Direct Group to showcase its products and services and raise the groups profile within the broker arena.” The BIBA Conference is one of the Insurance industry’s most prestigious events, last year attracting over 4,000 people, so it is only right that Direct Group are there talking to people from the industry and showcasing what we can do. Come and visit Direct Group at Stand F36 as we present at our inaugural BIBA conference. text/html 2011-03-14T15:11:08+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/41/ Barclays Bank in the UK has announced that it has formed a three-year partnership with FirstAssist, replacing its previous partnership with Aviva. As a result of the deal, Barclays customers taking out travel cover from the bank will now have their travel insurance and assistance services provided by FirstAssist.   Alastair Hardie, managing director of FirstAssist, expressed the firm’s delight at being selected by Barclays, and stated that his company offers a travel insurance proposition that encompasses all customers, regardless of age, illness, occupation or destination.   Notes to editors: 1. Direct Group aims to be a 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.   2. Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities plus a range of services across the insurance industry. The services typically offered by Direct Group include product design, proposition delivery, policy administration, premium collection, sales and service, insurer and captive reporting. Plus comprehensive claims handling service including First Notification of Loss (FNOL), desk, inspection, validation and reinstatement.   3. Millennium Insurance is the broker distribution company and Direct Validation Services is the claims validation company within Direct Group   4. Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA no. 307332.   text/html 2011-01-10T10:09:09+00:00 Marketing http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/40/   Direct Group has offered insurance solutions for 20 years and continues to grow rapidly, providing new products and services to the market. The new modernised brand is designed to reflect the changes in both breadth of solution and services at Direct Group in the last 12 months. As a business to business provider to the insurance industry, the change of branding and logos will not impact partners, suppliers or customers in any way and policyholders will continue to benefit from the excellent levels of service and administration we provide.   Find out what Direct Group can do for your business. Contact your usual client contact for more information.               Notes to editors: 1. Direct Group aims to be a 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.   2. Direct Group currently operates on a business-to-business basis by offering products to financial institutions, corporates and affinities plus a range of services across the insurance industry. The services typically offered by Direct Group include product design, proposition delivery, policy administration, premium collection, sales and service, insurer and captive reporting. Plus comprehensive claims handling service including First Notification of Loss (FNOL), desk, inspection, validation and reinstatement.   3. Millennium Insurance is the broker distribution company and Direct Validation Services is the claims validation company within Direct Group   4. Direct Group Limited is authorised by the FSA no. 307332.