SME Insurance :: Leeds

Norwich Union is an Aviva company
Aviva is the world's sixth-largest insurance group* and the biggest in the UK. It is one of the leading providers of life and pensions products in Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales of £33 billion** £291 billion*** assets under management. The group has 60,000 employees serving 30 million customers worldwide.

Together with 30 million customers worldwide you can feel certain of your choice with Aviva, whether you invest for the future, guard against the unexpected, or protect the things that are important to you.

At Aviva.com you can read more about our:

Sponsorship
Norwich Union is the No 1 sponsor of UK Athletics

Norwich Union also sponsors the work of the Case Management Society. Helping people back to work after injury.

Regulation
Norwich Union is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

* Based on gross worldwide premiums. ** Based on gross worldwide premiums, including share of associates' premiums. *** Correct as at 30 June 2005

We're the third largest commercial insurer in the UK. Our history and size means that we're strong, safe and secure, with:

British Insurance Awards Winner 2002. Zurich sees winning awards as an essential way for you to judge our capability - but we know it's your experience as a customer that really matters.

MMA Insurance Group
MMA is a major European insurance group established over 170 years ago.

In 2003 Group premium income was over £3 billion and gross worldwide assets were £17.5 billion.

MMA Insurance plc was established in the UK in 1958 originally under the name Norman Insurance.

Our head office is based in Reading, Berkshire, close to the centre of the town on the banks of the river Thames.

We offer a range of competitive products spanning motor, home, travel, commercial property and construction insurance and these are sold through a national network of insurance brokers and intermediaries.

MMA Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
MMA Insurance plc is a member of the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the Group, with details of our strategy and business principles, company structure, Group history and more.

Our strategy
We focus on using good underwriting and claims disciplines to achieve sustainable returns. View our Business Principles and Strategy.

Around the world
The Group consists of three regions (UK, Scandinavia and International) with operations in around 30 countries worldwide. Find out more.

Group history
Royal & SunAlliance has been writing insurance for almost 300 years. Find out more about the history of the Group from 1710 to the present day.

Corporate responsibility
We participate in a number of internal and external CR initiatives. Read our 2004 Corporate Responsibility Report.

Allianz Cornhill.
We are one of the largest general insurers in the UK. Part of the Allianz Group, one of the foremost global financial services providers; Allianz Cornhill brings together strength and global reach of its parent with an enviable reputation for stability and professionalism among its customers and business partners here in the UK.

General Insurer of the Year 2004 & 2005.

Brit
Brit is a leading and profitable UK-based international general insurance and reinsurance Group and listed in the FTSE 250 with a market capitalisation of £858m as at 14 September 2005. Brit's subsidiary, Brit Insurance Limited, is a member of the Association of British Insurers and is Financial Services Authority authorised and regulated. It is licensed to write insurance in the European Economic Area. Worldwide business is written through our wholly owned Syndicate 2987 at Lloyd's. Reinsurance business is written in both entities. Brit's growth is based on building a high quality, profitable insurance portfolio where partnership with customers and brokers is a key feature.

Brit Insurance Limited is rated A + (Strong) by Fitch Ratings and A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. We have one of the strongest balance sheets in the sector. Syndicate 2987 has a capacity of £500m for 2005, provided 100% by Brit and benefits from the Lloyd's Market ratings of A from Fitch Ratings and A. M. Best.

We write insurance and reinsurance business in many regions of the world but predominantly from the UK, Europe and North America. Our gross premium income is in excess of £1 billion and growing. Alongside our established international and specialist accounts, we are becoming a major player in the UK commercial sector.

We are based in London and are committed to a broker distribution model through channels where there is a commitment to profitability, quality products and high service standards. Regional centres have been opened to support brokers throughout the country in Birmingham, Bristol, Darlington, Glasgow, Manchester, Ilford and Leeds. A centre in Reading is opening by the end of 2005.

Brit employs a common system of management and processing to its core underwriting operations, which are marketed under a single brand, 'Brit Insurance'. Central to our culture is customer service with decentralised decision making and 'straight-through' support processes. We encourage innovation through research and development resulting in better products, higher service standards and entrepreneurialism. Brit sets a high value on building strong relationships between our underwriters and their brokers. The group's underwriting operations were reorganised in 2004 into 3 centres; London Market, Reinsurance and UK. The UK centre writes almost exclusively into Brit Insurance Limited.

We use a dynamic capital allocation process, delivering capacity to business areas that we believe will provide the best return. Throughout the year, each class of business can bid for or surrender capital rather than being restricted by a fixed annual budget.

Our investment portfolio is structured to provide secure returns and liquidity enabling prompt settlement of claims. We use an advanced credit risk evaluation process to protect our assets and to minimise potential defaults. We seek to maximise investment returns through building on core competences in asset allocation and fund management.
Our people are talented, professional, polite and approachable. They demonstrate high levels of drive, enthusiasm and discipline as our culture is based around motivation, training, personal fulfilment and individual responsibility. All our employees are encouraged to own shares in the company.

Our overall objective is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life of all our stakeholders by being a leading and profitable UK-based international general insurance, reinsurance and investment group.

APC
Anglo Pacific Consultants (London) Ltd has been established since 1993 as a specialist commercial insurance intermediary providing small business solutions for the provincial UK broker network. Over the past several years we have been dedicated in insurance package policies to assist the small business' person.

We recognize the need for quality insurance products and service. As we grew we developed our structure as an underwriting agency advising our insurance partners on the UK Commercial Market.

One of the qualities that our company enjoys is the relationship with our insurance partners these include Lloyd's and London Company Markets, all of which are 'A' rated security. We are privileged to be able to underwrite on their behalf which gives our clients the comfort of a quality speedy service.

Our team of underwriters has extensive experience and knowledge, which has enabled us to substantially rise above our competitors. We are committed in taking the strain out of buying insurance and have become renowned for our quality and commitment.

We have a team of expert loss adjusters available at the end of a telephone line to deal with your claims professionally and quickly. They have a dedicated 24 hour hotline, which gives you the reassurance when you need it most. Over the years we have progressed and improved our systems to cope with the increased volume of policies and have in excess of 30 fully trained staff to assist with all your needs and enquiries, with this in mind we are able to respond quickly and efficiently.

We thrive on YOU, our client, receiving a friendly, flexible and professional service at all times.

Groupama Insurers
Groupama Insurances is one of the UK's leading general insurance groups.
From high volume, lower premium products such as motor and home insurance right through to healthcare and comprehensive commercial covers for the smaller business sector, Groupama Insurances has the experience and expertise to offer high quality insurance protection with service to match.

Our parent company - Groupama - is the world's third largest property and casualty mutual, and is one of the strongest financial groups in Europe. With annual revenues of around €13 billion and assets under management of close to €50 billion, the Group conducts business in many countries around the world. An acknowledged expert in health and agricultural insurance, Groupama has a workforce of over 32,000 people.
The UK Group's Head Office is based in the heart of the City of London. Our personal and commercial insurance business is centralised in Manchester - with claims handled in specialist centres around the UK. Our growing Healthcare division is headquartered in Tonbridge.

Historically Speaking
The UK Group has traditions of insurance dating back over 150 years. Our parent company - Groupama - can trace its origins to 1840 and has grown from its roots in the French agricultural community to become one of the world's leading mutual property and casualty insurers and one of Europe's largest financial services groups.

Service with a Smile
Insurers often forget that, first and foremost, they are there to serve their customers. However, this has not been lost on Groupama Insurances.
Quality service, formal service standards and highly efficient business systems are all part of our pursuit of excellence.
We continue to invest heavily in the latest technology to support our objectives. Our business is also accredited as an 'Investor in People' - reflecting our commitment to the training and development of our staff.

Gresham
Gresham Insurance Brokers Limited is a Lloyd's Broker established following the merger of Wholesale Broker & Commercial Underwriting Agents, Millhouse Facilities Limited and existing Lloyd's Broker, Gresham Intermediaries Limited in October 2002.

Mill House Facilities Limited evolved from a high street brokerage in Kent, set up by brothers John & Chris Collier in 1983, known as Collier Insurance Services. The business enjoyed rapid success and began to focus on wholesaling from 1993, when an office was opened in Dartford under the name Collier Commercial Services. Mill House Facilities was established as a separate company in 1998.

Andrew Anthony and Kevin Flynn joined the board of Gresham Intermediaries Limited in October 2001, both having previously been Directors of Alexander Forbes Special Risks. During the summer of 2002 Kevin and Andrew negotiated a management buy out of Gresham from its American parent company. The merger with Mill House Facilities immediately followed its completion.

Policies placed through Gresham are underwritten by The Aldgate Insurance Company.

The Aldgate Insurance Company is newly registered and licensed in Gibraltar and regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Gibraltar (FSC) to conduct general and liability insurance business, providing services into the UK. Verification can be obtained from the FSC web site, which is updated monthly, but being a new Company this may not yet appear and therefore a copy of the license is available on request.

The Aldgate is backed by Lloyds TSB PLC and a number of Gresham share holders, together with a comprehensive reinsurance programme arranged by AON and effected with class A re-insurers including Brit and various Underwriters at Lloyds of London.

The Aldgate is fully capitalized in accordance with the FSC requirements and to help maintain the high standards required the FSC work closely with the FSA and notify them of all Gibraltar based Insurance Companies who are providing services into the UK.

The Aldgate become members of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in the UK and will shortly be registered with the ABI and the Ombudsman Office.

The Aldgate have appointed Fidecs Insurance Management Limited who are the leading insurance management company in Gibraltar and whose clients include Admiral and Sage.

Gresham Insurance Brokers
Gresham has been appointed by the Aldgate Insurance Company on a three year contract to be their exclusive service provider with the UK. This means Gresham will manage the day-to-day business including quotations, documentation, accounts and claims.

Gresham will still use the same panel of insurance surveyors, loss adjusters etc. as previously.

Policy wordings, terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Gresham believes that this new partnership will enhance both our service levels and flexibility, providing long-term stability and continuity.

Gresham, as a Lloyds Insurance Broker and GISC member has, in common with all intermediaries, a duty to satisfy itself of the quality of any insurer it recommends.

The Aldgate Insurance Company Ltd is backed by Lloyds TSB Bank and supported by a comprehensive reinsurance programme effected with A-rated insurers including Lloyds of London. The Company is registered in Gibraltar and regulated by The Financial Services Commission.

Wellington
Wellington is one of the leading independent insurance businesses operating in the Lloyd's market today.

As well as its managed Syndicate 2020, Wellington also has interests in the US through its wholly owned subsidiary Wellington Underwriting Inc, with offices in seven US cities, and has interests in Bermuda and the London reinsurance market through a 19% fully diluted holding in the Aspen group.

Strong, stable and secure, Wellington brings together an unrivalled combination of capacity, experience and expertise in the classes of business in which Lloyd's traditionally excels: energy, marine and special risks, general non-marine, aviation and accident and health.

Based on the consistent quality of its underwriting and its enterprise-wide culture of excellence and expertise, Wellington has regularly outperformed the market year-on-year since the mid-1980s*. Wellington is the market of choice across of broad range of speciality lines, taking a confident, committed and respected lead position on the majority of business it writes.

Wellington's underwriting discipline has brought it through an era of depressed insurance rates and fierce competition in excellent shape. Today it is well placed to continue achieving strong organic growth based on a strong capital base, reduced volatility, improved profitability and an enhanced leadership position.

Wellington's strengths include: recognising the pitfalls and avoiding them, recognising talent and employing it, recognising relationships and maintaining them.

*Reflects the results of Syndicate 2020 since 1999 and of Syndicates 51, 672 and 1028 combined prior to that date.