Year: 2016

Categories
Risk

Ansvar Insurance brings faith community together for Arson Forum

Close up hand man with lighters kindle the fire on burning background.

Ansvar Insurance, one of Australia’s leading specialist insurers, has conducted an interfaith arson forum in Geelong in response to the recent spate of church fires. In partnership with Catholic Church Insurance, the forum included speakers and experts from the Geelong Interfaith Network, the Victoria Police, the Country Fire Authority and the Victorian Council of Churches.

The Inspector Graham Banks and Leading Senior Constable Andrew King from Victoria Police, Retired Inspector of Explosives and Arson Squad Jeff Maher and Tony Burke from the CFA provided invaluable information on how to protect faith properties from arson which included protective measures, early detection and fire suppression as well some insight to the behavior of arsonists. Just as important however, Stuart Stuart , CEO of the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministries was on hand to speak about the psychological impacts of arson and the counselling and support services available to those victimised by such events.

“Arsonists do not discriminate and the effect of a fire at a house of worship, whether a church, synagogue or mosque, is a devastating event. In addition to damaging the physical property, these events also have a traumatic effect on the community. It was important for us to conduct this forum with all members of the faith community to arm them with the knowledge they need to help mitigate the risk of arson and also help deal with the emotional side effects,” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO – Ansvar Insurance.

“It is unfortunate that there is a need for such forums, but the collective information presented from the panel of experts will help members of all faith communities be more vigilant, active participants in the risk mitigation process of their respective houses of worship.”

“As an Insurer we naturally focus the majority of our attention on the financial losses suffered as a result of arson. It was important for us that this forum address the emotional consequences so we were conscious of inviting experts on the panel who were able to address the psychological reactions to traumatic community events,” said Hutcheon.

The forum was attended by over 100 interested parties including a broad cross section of customers and community members.

“The recent increase in church fires in the area have left many of us feeling uneasy. We are grateful to Ansvar Insurance and the Catholic Church Insurance for assembling such a varied and informative group of panelists to help guide our communities and educate us on how we can reduce the prevalence of future arson attacks,” said Russell Hoath from Churches of Christ Insurance.

Categories
Media Release

Ansvar Insurance releases new Business Insurance Products

Shot of two young women using a digital tablet during a meeting in a pottery studio

Ansvar Insurance, one of Australia’s leading specialist insurers, has released a new range of Business Insurance products tailored for its market sectors. Ansvar Insurance is committed to continually improving its product offerings and these new policies reflect industry developments as well as emerging risks faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Australia.

The new policies are tailored for organisations with less than $10M in assets and/or turnover.

“To ensure our new Business Pack products provided a market leading cover, Ansvar engaged LMI to assist in the development. We proactively undertook this product suite refresh due to changing market conditions and to better meet the evolving needs of our clients,” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO Ansvar.

Along with the new products Ansvar is offering a range of risk solutions tools for SME customers. Services available include risk governance resources, sector risk management forums and workshops, factsheets and checklists, and sector practice standards.

Ansvar’s new SME products offer the following benefits:

Streamlined into four sections
All financial lines including Management Liability
Policy wording tailored to industry sectors such as Child Care, Not-for-Profit, Faith, etc.
Increased limits and improved additional benefits
The four sections of the new products include the following features:

Property and Income

Property protection
Income protection
Full accidental damage
Breakdown of mechanical and electronic equipment
Money and theft
General property
General Liability

Sexual abuse
Limited Medical malpractice
Retroactive liability
Member to member
Trauma counselling costs
Public relations expenses
Organisation Liability

Professional indemnity including public relations expenses, emergency defence costs and run off cover for merger/takeover/sale
Management liability including free legal advice, public relations expenses, outside directorships and unlimited retroactive cover
Personal Accident

No age exclusion
Option to insure volunteers, members, students and children
First line of defence for liability claims
High Risk Activities Extension available

Customers with existing Ansvar Business Pack policies will be transferred to the new policy wordings automatically upon renewal.

Categories
Media Release

Ansvar Insurance Announces Changes to Board of Directors

MEDIA RELEASE

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith, Heritage and Strata sectors, announced the appointment of Michael Grantham as a non-executive director to its board.

Michael’s expertise in transformational change will help ensure that Ansvar is in a strong technological position to remain market leader in its specialty sectors.  With over 30 years’ experience as an information and communications technology professional, Michael will assist Ansvar accelerate its IT strategy, embracing new technologies and maximising on the opportunity from the digital disruption currently impacting the industry.

Michael is a former director of CGU Australia Limited, CGU Insurance Limited and Insurer Network Services and has also held a number of CIO positions with CGU Insurance, Australian Customs and Border Protection and Tenix.

“We are excited to welcome Michael to the Ansvar board.  His vast industry experience and digital expertise is the perfect complement to Ansvar’s commitment to continual improvement and technological innovation,” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO Ansvar Insurance.

“Our board are delighted to have secured the services of Michael. Not only does he know the insurance industry well, he brings excellent commercial judgement and great expertise and experience in the IT and digital space which is becoming so much more important to the success of organisations like Ansvar. His skills and experience are also complimentary to the existing skills and experiences of the current board,” said Nick Barnett, Chairman Ansvar Insurance.

“My role on the board will not be just about accelerating Ansvar’s strategy, but helping them define what a future IT environment looks like for the company.  I am excited to bring a fresh set of eyes to the Ansvar board,” said Grantham.

Ansvar also announced Professor Jennifer George and Mr Bruce Harris have retired as directors of Ansvar at the end of their terms after 11 and six years of service respectively.

“Ansvar thanks Professor George and Mr Harris for their strong and valued contributions to Ansvar and their positive impact on the organisation.  We wish them both the very best for the future” said Hutcheon.

Categories
Risk Solutions

Thermographics: Assisting Ansvar in providing technology-rich assessment solutions

Heat Loss Detection of the House With Infrared Thermal Camera - Thermal Imaging for Building Diagnostics

MEDIA RELEASE

Ansvar providing thermographic assessment certification for all its risk assessors

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith and Heritage sectors has announced that all of their risk solution advisors have now obtained certifications in thermographic technology demonstrating the progressive adoption of technology across the business.

Thermographic cameras provide an innovative technology that goes beyond pre-emptive precaution. Electrical fires can cripple the infrastructure of any business but for a not-for-profit entity the impact goes further than just the business itself; it diffuses into its community. This is why the Ansvar team has invested in thermographic training and technology.

Thermographic technology provides a visual of heat patterns allowing risk solution advisors to see behind the electrical board, highlighting any potential electronic faults. With electrical problems being a major cause of fires, prevention is key. Using a thermographic camera allows for rapid assessment and identification of potential electrical issues which enables organisations to take critical preventative measures. Ansvar is taking their investment one step further and reinforcing its commitment to both the technology and its customers by qualifying the whole risk assessment team.

“The purpose of prevention is often perceived to be about saving the insurer money. However, Ansvar’s investment in thermographic technology is not just a consequence of face value preventative elements. Ansvar’s intention is to use the thermographic technology to assist our customers in realizing their overall objective:  which for the care, community, education, and faith sectors involves caring for and protecting their communities, “said Diana Borgmeyer, Head of Risk Solutions at Ansvar.

Fires can cripple the infrastructure and result in operational losses and stoppage of services. For Ansvar’s specialty sectors this can have a devastating effect on the communities that rely on these services.  It is not only the business that suffers, so it is crucial Ansvar remains vigilant and efficient at identifying problems and resolving them before the customer is affected.

“It’s not just about having toys – we are looking for opportunities and the incorporation of the latest technology in the right places to best service our customers and provide them with the value of care and service they have come to expect from Ansvar,” said Diana.

Ansvar’s risk and support solutions are continually evolving to ensure the company can provide contemporary risk management products and services to help clients manage their unique risk exposures.

Categories
Media Release

Ansvar Offers Insurance Solutions to the Strata Communities

A stock image of a group of holiday strata units.

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith, Heritage and now Property Strata, today announced a partnership with CSI Strata Underwriting to offer insurance solutions to strata communities across most of Australia, launching Ansvar into a new business sector.

Ansvar currently offers risk solutions to many properties in the heritage and community sectors, so the venture into the property strata market is a natural evolution of Ansvar’s offering and a logical extension of existing capabilities.  Ansvar’s entry into the property strata sector aligns with the strategies of Ansvar’s UK parent, the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, and the Group’s strength in providing risk management solutions for property investors.

“The strata sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia. Ansvar’s strengths in providing the most robust risk and insurance solutions to properties in other sectors makes the strata community a logical addition to the Ansvar portfolio,” said Warren Hutcheon CEO Ansvar.

CSI Strata Underwriting is an underwriting agency currently servicing over 120 strata insurance brokers.  “What better partner for Ansvar than CSI, who have a formidable footprint in this country and whose sole focus is strata insurance.   We’re confident this partnership will help us on our journey to fulfill our vision for this new sector,” Warren said.

John Lillie, General Manager, CSI Strata Underwriting, said “Ansvar’s reputation for protecting community-based organisations is second to none. We are pleased to have this additional facility so that we can offer Australian strata communities in larger strata schemes the knowledge and security that their insurance is placed with a reputable and community-oriented insurer like Ansvar.”

“With Ansvar’s vast experience and strengths, this new partnership means we can offer our support to strata brokers nationwide by providing broader cover with higher limits,  to meet legal obligations and the practical needs of protecting property,” John said.

The partnership between CSI and Ansvar was formalized last week, with the Ansvar underwritten product available through CSI from 8th April 2016.

Categories
Community Education Program

Ansvar’s Community Education Program Announce 2015/ 2016 Grant Winners

Hero Community Education Program image to represent the Australian youth participating in the grants program
$250,000 awarded to nine worthy Australian non-profit organisations.

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith and Heritage sectors has announced the 2015/ 2016 recipients of its annual Community Education Program (CEP) grants. The grants are provided to support sustainable programs for Australians under the age of 25, promoting ongoing education, skill training and programs making a significant difference to the lives of the participants.

The Ansvar CEP Grant program was launched in 1994 and to date has donated over $10 million dollars to programs that fall into two categories – Empowerment and Education & Outreach and Support.

“We are very proud of our CEP Grant Program and inspired by the phenomenal  work that this year’s nine recipients do to better the lives of Australia’s young people. Funding for non-profit organisations becomes more and more of a challenge every year, and Ansvar looks forward to watching these amazing organisations make a positive impact in so many people’s lives, said Warren Hutcheon CEO Ansvar.

The nine 2015/ 2016 Ansvar CEP Grant recipients:

  1. Australian Refugee Volunteers – ARV Camps Program
  2. Courage to Care – The Classroom Project
  3. Create Foundation – Create Your Future
  4. Down Syndrome Victoria – Down Syndrome Inclusion Support Service
  5. Goulburn Mulwaree Council – Be Seen Be Heard Youth Opportunities Program
  6. St Vincent De Paul Society QLD – Buddies Days Program – Gympie
  7. The Reach Foundation – Grounded
  8. Top Blokes Foundation – Building Blokes 2.0
  9. WA PYCY Albany – Albany PYCY – Strike II Drug Aware Youth Drop in Centre

Kiri Libbesson, Australian Refugee Volunteers (ARV) Grants Manager is thrilled to receive the grant from Ansvar. The CEP grant will allow ARV to continue to run its programs working with refugee and asylum seeker children living in Sydney.

“Our programs offer these refugee children the opportunity to engage with their peers and with our ARV volunteers while participating in both recreational and developmental activities.  This Ansvar grant will allow ARV to provide higher quality activities and facilitators, ensuring that we can provide the best experience possible for the children,” said Libbesson.

Down Syndrome Victoria’s Executive Officer Sue O’Riley says that the Ansvar grant will assist in improving the learning outcomes of over 70 students with Down Syndrome in Victoria.

“The generous support of Ansvar will allow for us to expand our services in 2016.  Down Syndrome Victoria will be able to employ additional education consultants with a focus on regional Victoria to ensure all students with Down Syndrome have equal access to the specialised services we offer,” said O’Riley.

The Reach Foundation is very grateful for the support provided by Ansvar. General Manager of Development Brad Holland explains that the grants will make a significant difference for the young people who are supported on the Grounded Program.

“Grounded is designed for young people who are disengaged, involved in conflict or bullying, suffering poor self-esteem or considered ‘at-risk’ in their communities.  This grant will enable The Reach Foundation to run a series of Grounded workshops for over 200 young people in 2016,” said Holland.

Melissa Abu Gazelah, Managing Director at Top Blokes Foundation, said the funding will support the Building Blokes 2.0. The project assists young males aged 16-24 years with positive decision making when confronted with anti-social and risk-taking situations.

“The funds will provide disconnected and at-risk young males with opportunities to engage with and be mentored by positive role models. The goal of Building Blokes 2.0 is to support their ability in gaining sustainable employment and building a bright future,” said Abu-Gazelah.

“Ansvar has a strong community focus and we are thrilled to be able to support these organisations. We believe all of Australia’s youth deserve the chance to reach their full potential and through the programs and services offered as a result of the grants we are helping these organisations to make a difference,” says Hutcheon.

About the Community Education Program grant categories

Empowerment and Education: Programs which provide opportunities to develop positive values that lead to healthy lifestyle choices and apositive contribution to our community.

Outreach and Support Programs: Programs that support youths who are at risk or are already experiencing difficulties (such as drug and/or alcohol abuse) through rehabilitation and/or skills training.

Categories
Media Release

Specialty Insurer Ansvar Announces Two New Senior Appointments

Ansvar Insurance today announced the appointment of two newly created roles. John Leavey has been appointed to the new position of National Manager for Northern Strategic Partners. Hannah Sparkes also joins Ansvar in a newly created position, as Business Development Underwriter for SA & NT. Further assignments include Darren Fennessy assuming the position of Casualty Portfolio Manager and Rani Edwards joining the team in NSW as Business Development Underwriting Manager.

Leavey will be responsible for achieving significant growth of the Northern region portfolio across Ansvar’s key sectors. This includes identifying new opportunities and working with the team of experienced underwriters to find solutions for broking partners and clients as well as expanding Ansvar’s offerings to emerging sectors.

Prior to joining Ansvar, Leavey was General Manager NSW for Whitebread Insurance Brokers where he previously held the position of General Manager, Broking. Leavey also spent four years as National Relationship Manager – Key Accounts at CGU Insurance.

“I am excited to join Ansvar and bring my partnership experience to help grow existing broker relationships as well as build new partnerships at both the strategic and operational level,” said Leavey.

The new Business Development Underwriter SA & NT position, filled by Sparkes, will focus on strengthening Ansvar’s relationships in these markets and ensure continued profitable growth across Ansvar’s portfolio.

Prior to assuming this role, Sparkes held several Marine Underwriter positions at AIG Australia and QBE, most recently serving as Senior Marine Underwriter at Chubb.

“South Australia and the Northern Territory provide great opportunities for Ansvar, I am thrilled to be in a position to develop new and build on existing customer relationships by providing innovative underwriting solutions in  these markets,” said Sparkes.

“We have created these positions in recognition of the growth opportunities for Ansvar in these markets. John and Hannah bring a wealth of experience to our teams which will provide a huge benefit for Ansvar clients,” said Ian Ireland, General Manager – Business Development, Ansvar Insurance.

In other appointments, Darren Fennessy joins Ansvar as Casualty Portfolio Manager, where he will be responsible for providing technical underwriting support to all relevant stakeholders as well as aligning risk and compliance management to practices within the Casualty portfolio.

Fennessy brings a wealth of experience to the role having held several senior management positions prior to joining Ansvar including Australian Liability Manager at Arch Insurance, Senior Leader Casualty at Suncorp, National Manager Liability Vero Corporate & National Liability Underwriter at SRS Underwriting Agency.

Rani Edwards assumes the role of Business Development Underwriting Manager for NSW, where she will help drive performance and sales success for the NSW branch. She will also be responsible for growing and developing existing clients as well as generating new underwriting business.

Edwards previously held the position of Business Development Manager at Lumley Insurance, where she managed a significant portfolio of business, with a strong emphasis on profitable new business growth.