We are delighted to have won Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year, which we feel is recognition of the continuing support of our brokers in delivering 12% year-on-year growth of our commercial products, for the first nine months of 2006.
Brokers are increasingly turning to our enhanced online commercial insurances quote facility, which provides quotes in real time and can place business immediately on cover, more effectively.
Brokers have also appreciated the direct access to a team of highly skilled underwriters. This combination of innovation and quality of service for our intermediaries and their customers is driving our improved commercial proposition.
2006 has been an exciting year for Fortis, with the launch of two new products, Care Home and Leisure and the popularity of our light commercial vehicle product, Van Guard, which has seen over 20,000 policies written in the first nine months of operation.
The care home package caters specifically for residential and nursing homes for the elderly; while the leisure product is a comprehensive, easy to administer package of covers with flexibility and options to suit a wide range of businesses in the leisure sector. These new offerings were developed in line with Fortis' strategy to broaden its commercial lines portfolio and complements the existing commercial offerings to small businesses.
We maintain our strategy to grow our presence in this market, widening the product range to provide better support in the future for brokers and other new and existing business partners.
We are very proud of the team that have won this award.
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.
