Innovation hasn’t slowed down at APOLLO Exchange, even through a global pandemic. The insurance ecommerce platform most recently collaborated with Great American Insurance Group to offer a builder’s risk insurance product, and, just a couple of weeks prior, announced the launch of its renters’ insurance offering.
Operationally, the team was unfazed by the way COVID-19 uprooted businesses because it was well prepared. As a young, tech-forward company, it was already set up to work remotely. With a flexible work structure already being practiced, it was very much business as usual. CEO Jeff McCann says that, similarly, it is important for brokers to have access to digital solutions in order to serve their clients effectively.
“Because our transition was so seamless, we were able to support our brokers from the get-go as they adjusted to the new normal,” he said. “We focused our efforts on our partners because we didn’t have to spend very much energy internally.”
APOLLO Exchange won the Versature Digital Innovator of the Year award at the 2019 Insurance Business Canada Awards, and it’s not hard to see why. APOLLO is Canada’s largest online insurance marketplace and enables insurance brokers to quote, bind, and issue policies entirely online. Playing such a large role in helping brokers with their digital transformation continues to be a focal point for the platform.
“It’s important for the industry to move in this direction, particularly as the pandemic has changed the way consumers and brokers will interact,” said McCann. “Having these tools and digital products is really important for the industry and, in turn, it’s helped our business grow.”
McCann says it’s important to support and encourage participation in events like the Insurance Business Awards, because not only do you get to acknowledge the great work that’s taking place industry wide, but also it’s a chance to bring some of the country’s top insurance professionals all in one room to network and celebrate their achievements. Winning an award adds another layer of excitement and positivity to the mix as well. As a company leader, McCann says the recognition is great, but for the team and all the people who are working day to day to provide solutions and push the industry forward, it means everything.
“We’re a young company who’s been able to come in and build our technology, and work with so many great people in the industry,” he said. “It’s a great honour for our team to be recognized.”
Nominations for the 2020 Insurance Business Awards are now open and McCann wants insurance organizations to consider nominating not only outstanding members of their own team - from underwriters to brokers for individual awards - but also other providers they work with, who have really made a difference to their operations. It’s also a great opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of your own business over the last year.
“As a company, it’s important to have a strong vision,” he said. “Stick with that vision, keep your core values that you aspire to on a day to day basis, and communicate those through your nominations. When you look at what you’ve achieved over the year and how those align with your vision and values as a company, it can be really eye opening.”
The annual Insurance Business Canada Awards is the leading independent awards event for the insurance industry, with 21 award categories celebrating the achievements of brokers, brokerages, insurers, underwriters, risk managers and more. Nominations are open now until August 07, 2020.
