Special Section sponsored by

CARRIERS

Zurich Programs

…offering numerous products and services for more than four dozen program categories

Since the late 1940s Zurich in North America has been a formidable force among leading carriers in partnering with insurance agents and brokers involved in special program administration business. Craig Fundum, president of Zurich Programs and a long time active Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) member, proudly notes that a large number of agents have been partnering with Zurich on program efforts for more than 25 successive years.

To address the importance Zurich places on developing and maintaining solid working relationships with its program business partners, Fundum delivers the following comments:

“I want to emphasize that Zurich continues to be absolutely committed to the program business. We continually and actively seek new, quality program partners. In this current challenging market environment, program administrators [PA] can be assured that Zurich delivers the service they’ve always expected from us. Considering these difficult times, our recent 26th straight quarter of profitability speaks volumes to our focus on customer centricity—meaning that we position customers first by providing excellent service with a focus on profitability. As a result, good things happen to our customers and to our PAs.

“How do we improve program administrator profitability? First, by paying close attention to internal expenses—constantly looking at ways to deliver products in new and exciting ways more efficiently. One way we have helped improve PAs’ program business profit is by establishing and updating our micro sites. These tie into a Zurich Web site that focuses on any particular program of interest to agents, thus enabling the thousands of Zurich-appointed agents to make contact with program admini­strators handling that program. Agents’ inquiries are immediately transmitted to the designated program’s micro site. The procedure is quick and easy. Connect with Web site zprogramsmatch.com. Then click on the industry segment of interest.

“Agents have long recognized that Zurich’s operational model is designed to help program administrators become more effective, more efficient and, we think, more profitable. We’re very active with them in developing specialized, comprehensive marketing plans—not standard off-the-shelf textbook plans. Instead, it’s a built-from-scratch plan for each individual program. When the planning is completed, we continue to work with the PAs. We think of them as part of the Zurich team, something like a Zurich branch office. Many have more insight into an industry segment than a carrier does. So, who better to help us build the right product than the PAs—the experts within that industry segment?

“When PAs develop a new program with Zurich, they know they’re working with a financially stable carrier that will be there when it matters. We are committed to programs, and we have a dedicated team of experienced subject matter experts who help increase speed to market.

“Zurich’s program business started in the 1940s with a specialty automobile transportation relationship. Many of those transportation related connections still continue—along with such Zurich product categories including general liability, E&O liability, product liability, rental liability, professional liability, and premises and operational liability.

“Our dedicated New Programs team travels to program administrators’ offices to work directly with them on all aspects of a prospective program. But we’re not there to lecture. Primarily, we listen. Our objective is to get a detailed understanding of the program opportunities they want to talk to us about. Our implementation team is comprised of experienced insurance professionals who can help the program administrator to oversee the new program, and help with various compliance requirements. Zurich understands that PAs know their own customers better than we do. By listening closely to them we can better help them achieve not only growth, but profitable growth.

“Agents have become, in effect, disciples for us. ‘Never,’ some have said, ‘has a carrier worked with us at this detailed level on programs.’ That speaks to what separates Zurich from other competitors. First, we create very, very strong relationships with program partners. And secondly, we steadfastly develop programs and services with the customer in mind.

“At Zurich we are firmly convinced that when a customer is satisfied, then everybody—the customer, the program administrator, Zurich—is satisfied.

“Agents who are as seriously committed to program administration as Zurich is, who aim toward profitable results, and who are interested in talking with Zurich about becoming their program business carrier, are invited to contact us at: programsopportunities.com—or by phone at (866) 873-9782.”