AXA promises brokers faster underwriting decisions in personal lines shake-up

AXA is changing the way it deals with its biggest personal lines brokers by deploying development underwriters who will act as account executives and underwriters.

AXA said the changes would allow it to respond more quickly to broker requests and make the most of its enhanced technical capabilities.

The insurer will continue to deal with smaller brokers with a mixture of account managers operating from a call centre and face to face visits.

The changes for larger and panel brokers form part of a review by AXA of its personal lines intermediary structure following the appointment of Laurent Matras as managing director of the division.

“The personal lines market is incredibly competitive and technical capabilities and access to those capabilities are perhaps more important now than they have ever been,” Matras said.

“It is a very fast moving and constantly evolving sector and if we do not create a structure that matches the pace brokers set, we simply won’t be able to trade with them in the long term.”

AXA’s current personal lines regional managers will be offered underwriting training, and its underwriters offered training to become account managers.

Meanwhile strategic partnerships director Karen Hogg has left the insurer for a yet-to-be announced role at a broker.

AXA chief executive Amanda Blanc said: “Personal lines in the broker world is tough and it is vital we have the right structure and resource to not only compete but stay ahead of our competitors, and I am satisfied that we now have that structure in place.

“Laurent has had great success using development underwriters in the past and I am confident that he will repeat that success at AXA.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Karen Hogg for her significant contributions to AXA in her seven-year career here and wish her all the best in her new role.”