Arthur J.
Gallagher has sealed an exclusive deal with the UK’s leading automotive trade body, the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), becoming the group’s nominated insurance broker.
The international broking division of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co revealed this morning that it had entered into an agreement which will see it provide insurance services for members of the RMI, which Gallagher says underlines its commitment to the automotive sector.
As the RMI’s broker, the firm will work closely with the trade body and its approved motor trade insurer,
Allianz – combining the two firms’ technical, industry and market expertise to help evolve insurance propositions and facilitate the growth of the UK’s automotive sector, the broking powerhouse said in a statement. Gallagher will also support RMI members in securing markets for non-standard, hard-to-place risks that require highly tailored underwriting solutions.
The RMI was founded in 1913 as the voice of retail motor businesses large and small. Its work includes lobbying on behalf of the automotive industry, providing technical expertise, and offering advice and support to members.
“We’re proud to be working with the RMI, sharing as we do a common objective: to use our expertise to support the UK’s diverse automotive industry with the advice, skills and protection needed to run and grow their businesses successfully,” Leon Bosch, managing director of UK automotive at Arthur J. Gallagher, said in a statement. “With profitability under pressure, uncertainty over Brexit and other challenges, coupled with exciting and emerging technologies and opportunities, the automotive industry can’t afford to stand still, but nor will we.”
RMI director Stuart James said that when looking for a new insurance broker for the body’s members, “Gallagher’s enthusiasm, innovation and knowledge of the automotive sector spoke for themselves.”
“We look forward to working closely with the Gallagher team, just as we do with Allianz, to ensure our members benefit from a genuine tripartite approach to best meet and respond to their individual risk and insurance needs,” James added.
Gallagher’s automotive practice, which has specialist broking teams in Luton, Coventry, Cardiff and Glasgow, focuses on tailored solutions for the full breadth of the sector, spanning seven key customer segments — main multi-franchised dealerships, non-franchised dealerships, accident repairs/body repairers, MOT stations, mechanical servicing and repairs, SMART repairers, and tyre and exhaust fitment centres, it said.
Allianz’s motor trade underwriting account manager, Mark Ashwood, stressed the importance of collaboration in the industry, adding that it was “great to have Gallagher on board as broker.”
He continued: “They will further enhance the risk management support provided to RMI members and we look forward to combining our expertise to address the industry’s evolving needs.”
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