AXA will target 2,000 brokers nationwide in the coming months in a bid to increase the number of firms trading
commercial business online.

The insurer has increased the number of commercial policies available on its AXA Business Risk (ABR) website from 214,200 in June 2005 to 300,000 policies this year.

In total, 60% of its commercial business is now
done through ABR.

The insurer is using its 12 e-consultants to encourage
brokers to use e-commerce such as Imarket or ABR.

Frank Woods, premier partner distribution manager
at AXA, said: “We see technology as the answer.

Only now is there a route to go down and that is web-based
technology. There is a vehicle there now that we can adopt
to provide a solution to things such as contract certainty.”

AXA intends to roll out five further products on Imarket
through its software house partner, Acturis, by the end
of 2006.

The products, which include hotels, pubs and restaurants,
working from home, flats and property owners, will be
available for new business, mid-term adjustments and
renewals via Imarket.

These will add to the fully integrated products already
available: venture plus (tradesmen's insurance), shops, offices and surgeries.

Woods said AXA would put products on to other software
house in the near future.