PPP healthcare is repositioning itself with a greater focus on the intermediary channel, writes Rac...
PPP healthcare is repositioning itself with a greater focus on the intermediary channel, writes Rachel Williams.
The insurer has previously concentrated on the direct marketing route, but in recognition of a growing need for advice on PMI it is now developing its service to intermediaries.
Commenting on the move, Nye Jones, development channel manager at PPP healthcare, said that a focus on intermediaries was logical, given the focus of and its parent company, Axa. "Axa already has a clear focus on the intermediary channel and 70% of its business is sold through IFAs."
He added: "We see the healthcare market growing, and part of what the Axa group wants to do is develop its broker distribution strategy and access new markets.
It is to mark this commitment with the launch of a dedicated intermediary website. Central to the website will be an online quotation service. "This will enable intermediaries to download a pricing guide from the website onto their laptop or PC," said Jones.
Still in its initial phase, the site will be shaped by feedback from users. He added: "We want to grow the functionality of the site in terms of what the quotation platform can do, but we want to work with intermediaries to find out what will be useful."
The site will also allow advisers to communicate with the insurer via email and provides full product details.
Research conducted by PPP also revealed that intermediaries would like access to insurers to improve. It has now addressed this need with the launch of a dedicated intermediary support phoneline, that will handle sales, administration and claims.
PPP healthcare will also become one of the first PMI providers to publish its annualised premium increases for the last five years. "We will be disclosing to IFAs our historical premium increases. We want to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable pricing," said Jones.
