ULR provider of the year

Winner

MSL

MSL are highly delighted and extremely proud to be winners of both the LEI and ULR provider of the year 2003.

MSL have always been at the forefront of the market, providing legal expenses insurance since 1988. Our success is based on providing an excellent service coupled with good products at competitive premiums.

2003 has been an extremely busy year for MSL during which we have moved to larger premises and developed an interactive website enabling brokers to report claims online and track the progress of their clients' claims.

With the introduction of Predictable Costs it is hoped that lawyers and insurers will be able to settle clients' claims more efficiently and with fewer litigated cases.

Legal expenses insurance, particularly 'after the event' insurance, continues to be surrounded by controversy. The collapse of several companies in this market has shaken those underwriters involved with them, resulting in many underwriters withdrawing from the legal expenses market. This will make future underwriting difficult to secure for many providers.

It is therefore increasingly important for brokers to choose a provider with an established track record.

Magnus Insurance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSL, underwrites all MSL's products. Forward Hire, also forms part of MSL's group of companies, supplying replacement vehicles to clients when there is a need. We are therefore able to provide a versatile and comprehensive service to our brokers' clients while controlling the standards of those services.

Highly commended

DAS Legal Expenses

DAS is pleased to be a finalist in this sector yet again after another year developing its products and enhancing customer service.

For the past 12 months we have been working hard to develop the motor legal expenses insurance market beyond the ULR sector. In January, we launched Mobilis, a completely new product which bridges the gap between making a total loss claim and receiving settlement.

Service standards in our motor claims centre went even higher as our customer care unit grew by 50%. The team guides policyholders through the initial stages of their claim providing car hire, arranging vehicle inspections and explaining the ins and outs of their claims.

Our fully insured service provides the cover they need through thick and thin. Nowhere is this more apparent than with claims involving foreign-registered third parties in the UK or claims from UK policyholders abroad.

With the resources of DAS International's offices and their network of solicitors across the continent, DAS can handle the complicated international claims that would leave many competitors standing.

FirstAssist

FirstAssist Group Limited is delighted to have been highly commended in the Insurance Times Awards category of ULR Provider of the Year Award.

As a leading player in the legal expenses insurance market with well-established clients and over 20 years of experience in our specialist area, we have continued to focus on, promote and develop our service and expertise in claims handling during 2003. These are key requisites to the provision of this vital service and we are pleased that this has been recognised by the Broker Market.

Our uninsured loss recovery operation is based in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Our service levels are constantly monitored with revisions being made regularly where applicable.

We believe it is essential to continually review the changing legal environment and react proactively where applicable. One such initiative is the recent launch of a scheme in conjunction with the Motor Insurers' Bureau. This provides protection for legal practices and their clients from risk and loss while in litigation with an uninsured driver.