Norwich Union has transferred the sale and much of the underwriting of its directors' and officers' (D&O) and employee dishonesty covers into its regional offices.
The two covers, together with professional indemnity (PI), are now available as sections under its General Combined (C Series) commercial products, the insurer said.
This will be extended to include the Motor Trades Combined product later in the year, it added.
This change will be complemented by a simplified approach to underwriting with fewer criteria and limited additional information required.
Simon Carman, underwriting manager, Professional Risks at Norwich Union, says: “The insurance industry has developed in such a way that these ‘specialist covers' are normally written separately by dedicated teams when, to the client, they are just two more areas of risk that need to be covered.
“While demand is increasing from SME customers, we know that some intermediaries feel that they need support from the insurer to feel confident when selling these covers”.
He added: “By moving the underwriting to our branches, building the underwriters' expertise and simplifying the placement process we are helping our intermediaries and satisfying the demand from both existing and new clients. It also gives the intermediary one local point of contact, with authority to quote on 95% of cases, and one policy document. “
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