Latest blogging from Direct Group. http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/ Sat, 19 May 2012 08:05:25 LbbFeedCreator 1.1.0 http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/54/ Direct Group, as a leading insurance solutions provider, are pleased to announce they are back exhibiting at the BIBA Exhibition in Manchester, held on 16th and 17th May.  Direct Group specialise in delivering insurance services across a wide range of personal and commercial insurance products.  Our services combine insurance experience with technological and product innovation covering all elements of the insurance value chain from facilitating distribution capability to claims handling and validation. The BIBA Exhibition 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 F54 for your chance to win a HD Video Camera or a 3D Full HD TV. Marketing Fri, 04 May 2012 09:39:36 http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/53/ Direct Group is proud to announce the launch of WHSmith’s Insurance website www.whsmithinsurance.co.uk in partnership with BDML. The website hosts a variety of insurance products with Direct Group providing a full online sales solution, in addition to premium collection, administration, claims handling and validation services, for a range niche products which have been designed with WHSmith customers in mind;   Gadget Insurance Garden Insurance Golf Insurance Mobile Insurance Wedding Insurance The insurance products, which will be advertised in stores and on the WHSmiths main website, will be available to buy online in a matter of minutes. The website extends Direct Group’s online capabilities and distribution channels by facilitating online sales and fulfilment via email whilst offering customers a simple, quick and smooth customer journey.   To browse the WHSmith Insurance website click here     Marketing Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:18:51 http://www.directgroup.co.uk/p/3/id/52/ At a time when a lot of companies are cutting their training budgets, Direct Group have been actively encouraging staff to take part in their qualification scheme. We recognised that this was an excellent opportunity to invest in our staff as well as enhancing their skills to deliver an unforgettable customer journey. This saw a total of 47 staff across our Doncaster and Elland sites enrol on courses such as NVQ Customer Services & Management to AAT and CII courses. As some of the student near the end of their studies, the Training Team are already thinking of other courses that can benefit their colleagues, and will shortly launch Direct Group Study 2012. Staff that successfully completed their courses, were treated to a lunch with the Directors in recognition of their achievements. Staff in Doncaster that have completed AAT Level 2, NVQ Business Administration, Team Leader and Management courses and CII Certificate of Insurance, were presented with their awards by Derek Coles, CEO and Colin Mason CFO Staff in Elland that have all completed Management and Team Leader Qualifications, were presented with their awards by Scott Hough COO. Marketing Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:14:47 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." Marketing Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:03:05 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 Marketing Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:46:44 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. Marketing Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:59:25 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      Marketing Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:13:10 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 Marketing Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:23:29 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.   Marketing Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:33:28 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”.   Marketing Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:59:04