Ansvar : Everything you need to know

Ansvar: Everything you need to know

About Ansvar

Ansvar in Australia was launched in 1961 by the Swedish company Ansvar Mutual. The company’s initial market was total abstainers in the motor and home insurance market, before it evolved into an insurer offering a range of products to the care, community, faith, education and property owners sectors.

In 1998, the UK’s Ecclesiastical Insurance Group acquired Ansvar Mutual, subsequently becoming the parent firm of Ansvar Insurance in Australia. Established in 1887, Ecclesiastical has over a century’s experience as a specialist insurance and financial services provider. It is owned by the charity Allchurches Trust and all available profits are distributed for the benefit of the community.

It also offers several personal insurance products, such as home, motor, caravan and trailer, landlord, and renters’ insurance.

In 2018, Ansvar Risk was formed. The division complements the insurance services provided via brokers with robust risk management solutions. It provides enterprise risk management, risk quality surveys, and online risk tools and resources.

Ansvar in the news

1998: Ecclesiastical acquires Ansvar Mutual

2016: Ansvar appoints John Leavey and Hannah Sparkes to senior roles

2016: Ansvar Insurance announces nine recipients of its Community Education Program (CEP) grants

2016: Staff trained in thermographics

2016: Ansvar expands offering with strata insurance deal

2016: Michael Grantham appointed non-executive director

2016: Ansvar hosts interfaith arson forum

2016: Ansvar overhauls product selection

2016: Ansvar to hold innovation revolution forums

2016: Ansvar to use drones in risk assessment

2016: Melbourne head office relocated to Southbank district

2016: New business resilience toolkit for brokers unveiled

2017: Ansvar Insurance renews relationship with International Network of Churches (INC) for eighth year

2018: Grant Bowen nominated for General Insurer BDM of the Year in Insurance Business awards

2018: Ansvar Risk established to provide risk management solutions

2018: Ansvar Risk appoints Anthony Black as senior risk solutions consultant

2018: Ansvar hosts educational broker forums

2018: Ansvar hosts aged care forum

2018: Adriaan den Dulk joins Ansvar Risk as senior risk solutions consultant

2019: AM Best affirms Ansvar’s credit ratings with stable outlook

2019: Ansvar upgrades its insurance platform

2019: Ansvar to host forums on building resilience

2020: Ansvar Insurance CEO outlines coronavirus response

2022: Ansvar celebrates parent company's donation milestone

2022: Ansvar announces new senior appointments

2022: Ansvar hosts 60th celebrations and broker education forum

Key people

Warren Hutcheon, CEO

Hutcheon joined Ansvar in 2014 as CEO. Prior to that, he was CEO of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, a risk and insurance advisor to the Victorian Government. He has over 30 years’ experience in risk and insurance, and has held senior positions in underwriting, claims, operational management, strategy, and organisational change. Hutcheon is the chairman of the ANZIIF General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board, and is also on the board of the Victorian Building Authority and chair of its Audit and Risk Committee.

Phil Gare, COO

Gare has over 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry of Australia and New Zealand, having worked with both insurers and brokers. He has held leadership roles in various insurance functions such as claims, reinsurance, pricing, human resources, and strategy. He currently leads Ansvar’s national claims team. Before joining Ansvar, Gare led OAMPS national claims team.

Patricia Kelly, chairperson of the board and independent non-executive director

Kelly joined Ansvar’s board in 2014 and was named chairperson of the board and nominations and remuneration committee in June 2018. She is a past president and honorary life member of the Insurance Institute of Victoria and a former director of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.

Culture

Ansvar has long been involved in the Australian community, providing support to charitable groups and organisations through various activities, such as donation drives, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships. Ansvar contributes up to 10% of its annual profits to the CEP.

The company also gives its entire staff a day off each year to serve the community and the causes they believe in.

Ansvar established the Community Education Program (CEP) in 1994. Annually, the program provides grants to various organisations supporting Australian youth under two categories – Empowerment and Education, and Outreach and Support.

In 2019, Ansvar donated a total of $250,000 to 10 community organisations to help disadvantaged young Australians access opportunities for education, skills training, and other services. The 10 recipients were: Cerebral Palsy Alliance NSW, Earbus Foundation WA, The Sammy D Foundation SA, The Pyjama Foundation NSW, Doncare VIC, Enough is Enough Family Violence Care NSW, Nulsen Disability Services WA, Red Frogs QLD, Melbourne Anglican Benevolent Society VIC, and Sunshine Butterflies QLD.

The specialist insurer also covered the costs for the first accommodation unit of One Voice for Aussie Youth, an organisation that helps homeless young Australians. The housing community, based within the Life Restoration Community, welcomes young people aged 18-25 years, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Aside from shelter, the organisation also provides skills training to help the youth find meaningful employment.