United offering more flexible service

At least one insurance company has been taking steps to transform the industry here through the use of technology, making it more convenient for clients to conduct business.
United Insurance Company Limited’s chief executive officer Howard Hall said with the launch of their new branch they would be able to address challenges relating to customer convenience and experience.
“This new location addresses this challenge and is the epitome of innovation in action,” said Hall.
He was delivering remarks during the official opening of the West Coast Mall branch last Wednesday. That branch has two employees.
People who do not wish to visit the main branch in Bridgetown now have the option of conducting business at the new location the same way they would at the main branch.
“It uses videoconferencing technology to allow clients to meet remotely with United’s underwriters and claims officers who are based at our Lower Broad Street office,” explained Hall.
“This is a first for the insurance industry in Barbados; one of many customer-centric innovations that we will be rolling out.”
Stating that the company would be introducing at least two more locations “soon”, Hall told those gathered that one of the company’s goals was to find innovative ways to better serve customers.
“[Another] service such as the ability to pay premiums via SurePay for our clients in Barbados is also testimony to our commitment to provide continued and increased convenience for clients. These new initiatives are all part of the drive to serve our existing policyholders and to welcome new clients to a level of customer service never previously seen in Barbados,” added Hall.
He said feedback from clients “has so far been exciting and encouraging”.
Randy Graham, director of insurance and pension at the Financial Services Commission (FSC), lauded the company for its initiative, stating that the opening of the new branch was “testimony to the business flexibility, applied in a proactive way to the changing needs of the insurance market”.
He added that while “good regulation” was necessary for the industry it should not deter innovation “but rather ensure that that innovation is managed in such a manner that it is good for the customer and not a detriment to the market place”. (MM)