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Acumus has boosted its let property insurance product to include multi-property discounts, area rating reductions and landlord’s age discount, making it one of the most competitive product on the market; A price comparison against eight of the UK’s leading providers of let property insurance demonstrates that Acumus offers the most competitive quote 88%1 of the time.

Following the successful launch of its Let property Insurance product in July 06, Acumus openly invited new trading partners to submit their ideas and suggestions on how to further improve the product and system. These recent changes were made as a direct response to that feedback and will further enhance Acumus’ already competitive position within the sector. As a result, Acumus has enjoyed a record sales month in December, with a 20% increase in business from existing trading partners.

Great value is placed on responding to brokers’ opinions on how the system and product can be improved. This strategic partnership approach, combined with dedicated account management and guaranteed service levels, gives Acumus a unique position within the European personal lines insurance market.

Acumus introduced multi-property discounts following research showing that 57% of the UK’s landlords manage a portfolio, rather than just one or two properties2. Generous discounts are provided to landlords with just three or more properties and any number of properties can be covered on a single policy, which dramatically shortens the sales process and gives Acumus trading partners an edge on the competition.

Cover has also been added for student lets of more than four tenants and single occupancy flats, while building sum rates for lower value properties worth between £75,00 and £150,000 have been reduced by up to 25%3, benefiting those investing in let property for rental income.

Managing Director of Acumus, John Bibby says: “We have one of the most comprehensive and detailed rating systems available on the market and can provide quotations based on individual postcodes and even cover flood and subsidence areas normally excluded by other providers.

“This, and the recent improvements have enabled us to not only increase the speed and accuracy of our system but to also handle larger volumes of business. We’ve gone to great lengths to review our competitive position against other major providers and are confident that we can now beat our competitors in most cases.”

The Acumus system is designed to provide a faster, more efficient way to transact let property insurance and can generate a policy in under 3 minutes from the broker’s initial log on. It also provides automated policy issue, policy adjustments, renewals and a suite of management and sales reports. Since Acumus launched last July, trading partners have praised its slick, efficient delivery.

The United Kingdom's leading online insurance intermediary, X-bridge has appointed specialist insurance provider, Acumus Insurance Solutions as its fourth and final panel member, alongside existing partners Norwich Union, Zurich and Groupama.

X-bridge and Acumus join forces to launch a comprehensive insurance product for landlords providing instant comparative quotes for both professional and non-professional property owners.

Acumus has tailored its insurance product specifically for the X-bridge website, carrying out rigorous testing to ensure the system performs successfully in a live environment.

The unique offerings of Acumus let property insurance include discounts for landlords with improved security and for those aged 40 years or over. The product also offers one of the most comprehensive and detailed rating systems available on the market, providing quotations based on individual postcodes and cover for areas affected flood and subsidence, which are normally excluded by other providers.

X-bridge Insurance Manager Chris Slater says: “We chose Acumus both for their experience and knowledge of this niche industry as well as for their innovative product. We found them to be extremely competitive in their quotations and believe that by bringing their let property offering on board, both our quotation and conversion rates will increase.”

Managing Director of Acumus, John Bibby, says: “We are excited to have joined forces with such a key player in the let property insurance market. We offer some of the most competitive premiums for landlords and we are confident that our bespoke offering will increase the number of policies generated via X-bridge. We look forward to continuing to develop that relationship by providing ongoing improvements as we learn from the customer experience.”

The UK’s leading Ferry operator, P&O Ferries and specialist insurance provider, Acumus have joined forces to provide a new range of travel and motor breakdown insurance products for P&O’s customers who purchase over 8 million ferry tickets each year.

Acumus won the P&O business through a competitive tender process against some of the insurance industry’s most recognised names.

Two products have been developed with both the leisure and business traveller in mind. The specialised travel insurance is tailored for P&O customers; in addition to the normal medical, cancellation and baggage sections cover is provided for camping equipment, gift purchases and even vet and boarding fees for pets. With highly competitive rates the product is truly market leading.

Customers who are dependant on their car can take out European motor breakdown cover, developed to cater specifically for their needs as P&O travellers. Single and multi-trip cover includes emergency roadside assistance and repairs, vehicle repatriation, accommodation, car hire and alternative travel arrangements. 1

P&O Ferries will offer the new insurance online, through their call centre and from the Port travel Centre with cover costing as little as £4.00 for single trip and £42.00 for Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance. European breakdown cover starts at £9 per vehicle for single trip and £79 per vehicle for Annual Multi-Trip cover

Head of Financial Services of P&O Ferries Ltd, Tracey McKinnon said: “We chose Acumus for their expertise within the travel insurance sector and because they demonstrate a clear understanding of P&O and our customers’ requirements. Acumus has the ability to deliver insurance sales via multiple channels. Their help and guidance in promoting and marketing insurance and their excellent account management skills mean we feel reassured. We believe they’ll deliver the right products and services to meet our high expectations.”

Managing Director of Acumus, John Bibby, says: “The shared enthusiasm between Acumus and world-renowned brand P&O to develop their insurance offering, means that there is huge potential in this relationship. We have tailored every detail of their products to provide customers with the best possible cover for the most affordable price. We look forward to developing our relationship by providing continual improvements as we learn from the customer experience."

Development plans include a product launch on a white-labelled web site, produced by Acumus Insurance. In the second quarter of 2007 insurance will be integrated into the P&O online booking process. Call Centre, On-board and port sales will also be launched in 2007.

Acumus Insurance Solutions Limited, one of the UK's leading providers of wholesale travel insurance is offering a free consultation to members of the travel trade.

The new consultation service has been launched in light of the recent decision by the Treasury Committee for the FSA to regulate all travel insurance sales effective from 1st January 2009.

Without proper regulatory structure and support a travel company can no longer sell travel insurance after 31st December 2008.

John Bibby, Managing Director of Acumus commented  "The proposal to remove the FSA exemption has brought about a lot of questions for members of the travel trade. The purpose of our free consultation is to provide those organisations affected with a greater understanding of what this means for their business and help them to determine the best solution for them.'

Bibby continued 'The good news is that there are solutions for organisations of all shapes and sizes. This decision is not the 'nail in the coffin' that some would have you believe. In fact, it presents more in the way of opportunity than anything else'

Acumus will provide each business with a report recommending:

• Appropriate regulatory framework
• IT/Web Solutions
• Product
• Training solutions
• Audit process
• Referral process
• Outline Implementation plan
• Growth opportunities

Acumus have created training and trading platforms to support travel organisations in continuing to sell travel insurance from 2009 and onwards. Bibby commented “We are investing in new technology to ensure we have the right solutions in place to supports agents and operators. The role of the insurance provider is changing and with the forthcoming changes trade organisations need to ask and expect more from them.”

To arrange your free consultation call:
Gary Phiipott on 0844 557 4830 or email gphilpott@acumus.com
Will Sommerville on 0844 557 6475 wsommerville@acumus.com