CSC is about to complete its project to channel 90% of traffic through RTE. Assisted by 25 sponsoring insurers, this involves deployment to hundreds of sites which collectively will become the largest user next to the AA.
Policy Master was the first software house to integrate Polaris. Recently it included the Polaris-based motor products of GAN Insurance in its Unix and Aquarius systems. Business development director Mike Dodd says Polaris works well, but adds there are not enough insurers using RTE to supply rates to the market.
“When they do so,” says Dodd, “there is a moderate cost advantage, but the real benefit comes in the time saving. Insurers such as Norwich Union are forging ahead, but we need more,” he says. “As the numbers increase, so will the economies of scale.”
Phil Nunn, electronic trading manager at Norwich Union, says it is now in the comfortable position of being able to accept business not only through existing channels, but from the internet and virtual intermediaries. “Most of these [internet related] enquiries are Polaris compliant, so ‘if favourable, when can we startNULL' is the usual NU response,” he says. Norwich Union has also integrated RTE into its in-house systems.
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
