Over 700 UK jobs are under threat as Zurich begins a major overhaul of its regional service centres.
The insurer is looking to close its customer contact centre in Newcastle, in a move that could threaten over 500 jobs.
Zurich said that should the proposals go ahead, the centre, which handles insurance sales and administration along with claims processing will close by the end of March 2007 and all work will transfer to other locations.
The company also said the transfer of personal lines consumer services out of Portsmouth by mid-2007 will affect 140 jobs.
And the transfer of motor claims handling out of Cardiff is expected to affect 86 jobs with work being transferred out of Cardiff by mid-2007.
Zurich said it was considering the changes following an operational review, which has led the company to conclude that it can improve effectiveness and efficiency by operating across a smaller number of locations.
Zurich said it will offer full outplacement support to all staff affected by the decision.
