All change at Collinson in the UK
In a move that will affect the landscape of the travel insurance market, UK-based Collinson Group has announced the launch of two new brands to market. The new brands, Astrenska and Intana, represent a re-modelling of Collinson Insurance Group (CIG) into the two specialist areas of insurance and assistance. In a statement about the change, CIG said: “The move is an affirmation of the Group’s strategy to focus on core capabilities and develop market-leading products and services through the expansion of specialist areas of expertise.” The consolidation creates a division that underwrites over £100 million of gross written premiums for its carriers across key areas such as international private medical insurance (IPMI), personal accident, health and travel.
Under the changes, Astrenska is now the new underwriting division, led by group head Gareth Absalom. Astrenska combines Collinson’s range of products and expertise in non-core personal lines insurance into one focused area of specialism. Gareth has over 25 years’ experience in the London insurance market and will manage a team of underwriting specialists. With the flexibility to deliver co-branded, white labelled and fully managed products to market, Astrenska is positioned to support its clients in accessing key growth areas of the non-core personal lines insurance market.
Intana, meanwhile, is the new claims and assistance division led by Martin Weintz. The brand has been created by ‘adopting best practice in assistance and customer experience management from capabilities established through both acquisition and organic growth to deliver a fresh approach to assistance services’, according to the company’s announcement.
Intana offers emergency medical assistance, claims handling, roadside assistance and home emergency support, as well as pre-trip screening, travel guidance and security advice. It will also place focus on the creation of new propositions for non-emergency services.
Martin has over 30 years’ experience in assistance and was previously at AXA Assistance where he worked in a number of senior roles in France and Germany, most recently as chief executive of AXA Assistance Germany.
CIB (formally known as Collinson Insurance Brokers), remains a key area of specialism for the Collinson Group, delivering partnership capability in technology-led models and traditional broker services.
David Evans, managing director of insurance and assistance for the Collinson Group, commented on the changes: “By consolidating our core capabilities under specialist divisions, we are able to provide competencies specific to distinct market needs. By aligning these brands through the Collinson Group, we can deliver a seamless service to clients when both capabilities form part of the customer solution. With the existing skills and expertise we have and a clearly defined strategy for future development and growth, Intana and Astrenska are set to make a serious impact on the market.”
Collinson Group will also continue to take its own consumer brands to market.