Aggregator chief joins broker committee.
Biba has appointed Hayley Parsons, chief executive of price comparison site Gocompare.com, to its motor committee.
Gocompare.com joined Biba in May, causing some industry observers to express surprise that a comparison site or aggregator – traditionally viewed as a rival – could be admitted to the brokers’ trade body.
But Biba, which has been critical of aggregator sites in the past, said Gocompare.com had provided clear and fair information to customers.
Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at Biba, said: “This adds another new dimension to the already diverse Biba motor panel, which includes a wide range of expert brokers from personal lines, commercial, fleet, motorcycle, classic car, American car and traditional broking backgrounds.
“They offer a valuable insight into web trading, which is a great asset for the committee.”
Parsons said: “I am delighted to be joining the Biba motor panel. Comparison sites are very much part of the landscape now and I think it’s important that we work with the bodies helping to shape our industry.
“There are some important issues affecting the motor insurance market and I am looking forward to a productive relationship with the panel moving forward. Comparison sites have a unique perspective on the market at the moment and the challenge is to try and turn that into something that contributes positively to BIBA’s work.”
Gocompare.com is currently the only aggregator with Biba membership.
The motor panel is currently looking at the delivery of electronic motor insurance certificates, continuous insurance enforcement, comparison sites and software houses.
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