Insurance companies are keen on working only with those intermediaries who are fully compliant with the corresponding regulations.

The EU requirements (GDPR and IDD) act as a benchmark for such regulations. These companies are constantly looking for solutions which could facilitate and simplify the process of their increasingly demanding due diligence in terms of verifying the regulatory compliance of their partners.

In this context, the two innovative companies Think Insurtech and INSquary announce a partnership.

RELATED READING: iPMI Magazine Speaks With Olivier LE FAOUDER, CEO And Brian S. Piper, Co-Founder - Strategic Business Development, Think Insurtech

Think Insurtrech, through its SaaS platform, offers insurers, providers and brokers a platform to manage the compliance of the distribution of health insurance with the aforementioned regulations. This platform manages their commitment through a community, along with the digitization of the customer journey from the electronic signature to the online payment.

INSquary has developed an internet platform, accessible in SaaS mode on subscription. This allows distributors and outsourced services to assess the compliance of their practices with the regulations in effect. The process is as follows: 

• A questionnaire is followed by the submitting supporting documents in a secure “virtual binder”.
• The risk carriers (insurers) or wholesale brokers then learn about these “virtual binders”.

INSquary has a multilingual platform that presents several versions of questionnaires: a “global” version (based on European regulations) and “local” versions (based on national regulations).

The partnership between the two companies aims to use their complementing features and abilities to help their users, the professionals in the insurance sector, to comply with international compliance regulations in the best possible manner.

About INSquary:

INSquary is a "RegTech", awarded by Finance Innovation, which uses the potential of digital technology to facilitate and secure relations between insurers and their partners (intermediaries, outsourced services) concerning the dematerialized formalization of agreements and compliance of their regulatory obligations. INSquary aims to be the benchmark platform for "KYD" (know your distributor) at European level. Website: www.insquary.com.

Press contact: Rémi Villiers-Moriamé, CEO.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cellphone: +33 (0) 6 87 23 71 10

About Think Insurtech:

Think Insurtech (LF Finance SAS a part of AOC Insurance Broker group) is a software publisher specialized in PMI & IPMI with a SaaS Platform to manage A to Z the distribution of medical insurance (Individual/families module – Corporate module – Community platform module – Compliance module - Travel Insurance module API) in a global and connected environment. We offer a comprehensive approach and process in working with clients to place both international and domestic healthcare cover including group life and protection.income

Website: www.thinkinsurtech.com

Press contact: team@thinkinsurtech.com

Phone: + 33 (0) 1 49 97 8038

The number of people buying private health insurance for the first time has doubled since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to leading UK protection comparison site ActiveQuote.

Sales of Private Medical Insurance (PMI) to first-time customers were up on average by 100% across November, December and January this year, compared to the amount coming through at the beginning of the pandemic across March, April, and May 2020.

This newfound consumer interest in PMI shows no signs of slowing in 2021 either, with private healthcare sales to first-time buyers up 32% between December and January alone.

Rod Jones, Head of Partnerships at ActiveQuote, said, “We know the tide has been turning for a while when it comes to private healthcare and, with figures like these, it certainly feels like the public has woken up to the benefits of PMI.

“There can be no denying that attitudes towards private healthcare have changed significantly since Covid-19 arrived in the UK, and the statistics continue to show us that consumers are more committed than ever to making sure their needs are taken care of come what may.”

“What’s also encouraging, from an industry and consumer perspective, is that significant rises in the number of first-time buyers investing in private healthcare means more are realising not only the true value of having these policies in place, but just how affordable and accessible a lot of them are too,” Rod added.

“This is a positive development not only when it comes to future markets, therefore, but for customers too, who can expect PMI to be an increasingly affordable option available to ever greater numbers as a direct consequence of this continuing increase in take up.”

As the UK’s leading comparison website and broker of health and protection insurance products, ActiveQuote has been working closely with its partner insurers to help meet increasing demands in the PMI market since the pandemic broke out.

For more information visit: www.activequote.com

Bellwood Prestbury, the specialist global insurance broker, are pleased to announce that Adrian Henry has joined the firm, following a seven-year posting working as the Chief Underwriter Officer for the leading insurance company in Afghanistan.

Adrian brings with him a huge wealth of knowledge in multi-line commercial insurance, gained through more than 30 years of professional industry experience in major markets and in remote, post-conflict and challenging high-risk environments.

Working with government, international donors and multiple industries, Adrian was the architect of the first private medical scheme in Afghanistan, a scheme which has been responsible for improving medical services and the administration of medical care in the country. Adrian is an expert in negotiating insurance and reinsurance support for significant liabilities, including general/professional liability, death and disability, life, kidnap and ransom, fleet, motor, property and contents, cargo, construction, trade credit, political risk and political violence coverage.

Prior to living and working in Afghanistan, Adrian held senior positions within the insurance industry based in London and New York, and has unique underwriting and broking experience reinforced by on-the-ground international expertise.

Peter Bellwood, Managing Director comments, “Adrian is a well-known and respected professional in the international commercial insurance arena.  He brings with him a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge, which will deliver significant value to Bellwood Prestbury’s clients who demand and expect the very best when it comes to protecting their personnel and operations in complex, challenging and remote environments around the world.

We are delighted to welcome Adrian and his expertise to the team, as we continue to grow our reputation as the leading specialist for businesses that require cover for high-risk occupations and remote or hostile territories”.

National Friendly is pushing its Out Patient Optimum product as a potential solution to UK GP waiting times. The private medical insurance plan offers a range of benefits which importantly includes the ability for customers to gain immediate access to a network of private GPs across the UK, making it particularly suited to patients who are time-poor or who are not prepared to wait on average 13 days for a GP appointment in England.

A recent survey of 830 GPs by Pulse , the monthly GP news magazine and website,   has shown that the average wait for a GP appointment is now around 13 days in England, despite changes introduced by the NHS to alleviate pressures on general practice.  The average waiting time, although stable, is up from 10 days in 2015, according to the data.

The survey also reveals that more than 40% of patients must now wait longer than 14 days for a routine appointment.

Head of Sales and Marketing at National Friendly, Wayne Carter, comments: “GP waiting times are a highly visible issue for the NHS, as a visit to the GP is key to unlocking access to both NHS and private care, even for relatively minor ailments. Delays of up to two weeks inconvenience many, so we have designed a straightforward insurance plan that allows easy access to a private GP when needed.”

There are currently around 371 private GP nationally in the UK.

Pacific Cross International understand that when you live abroad or travel overseas, the simplest task can become a huge challenge. To find the right word is always a moment of distress and communication is critical, especially in the golden hour. The Pacific Cross International language tips info graphic will help you to stay calm in an emergency situation.

Pacific Cross International brings over 65 years of experience to the health and travel insurance industry in Asia providing health insurance to over 75,000+ people, representing 57 nationalities living in 43 countries. In 2014 the group provided travel insurance for 2,642,514 travel days for over 200,000+ people.

Pacific Cross International understand that when you live abroad or travel overseas, the simplest task can become a huge challenge. To find the right word is always a moment of distress and communication is critical, especially in the golden hour. The Pacific Cross International language tips info graphic will help you to stay calm in an emergency situation.

Click here to view info graphic

Pacific Cross International brings over 65 years of experience to the health and travel insurance industry in Asia providing health insurance to over 75,000+ people, representing 57 nationalities living in 43 countries. In 2014 the group provided travel insurance for 2,642,514 travel days for over 200,000+ people.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get asked at iPMI Magazine is what is the size of market for PMI and iPMI by country, and globally?

Before we answer that, answer the following 2 questions:

If a Frenchman living in London buys an IPMI policy from a French broker who uses an Irish insurer that is part of a German group for cover in a Gulf state where insurance has to be fronted/shared by a local insurer; Which or how many of these 5 countries do you book the premium into? Which currency do you measure it in?

If an American living in Cuba buys an IPMI policy from a Bermuda broker for a job in Trinidad and uses a UK insurer that works from a local office in the USA but pays claims from a global claims centre in Romania, how many of the 6 countries do you book premium and claims to?

It isn't so simple is it?

Coupled with the following facts breaking down the market size for PMI and IPMI is a complex if not impossible task:

Back-in-the-day Insurers would publish detailed by product or by country info but now they try to avoid it, as it is competitive gold dust.

Many country figures only cover onshore health insurance and not offshore so can mislead you when looking at the market value in countries that do not demand local cover.

Some big European and American global insurers only publish on a vague regional basis, or on types that lumps health in with life and accident covers.

In many smaller countries the offshore IPMI market is far bigger than any onshore PMI or IPMI market - and in some countries there is no domestic health insurance at all.

Few countries demand annual insurer returns by product and those that do ask for vague health, accident and protection figures. The definition of protection is so vague, it is open to interpretation. 

Currency conversion is a huge problem too - 2015 figures from various big insurers show that income and profit figures can vary by plus or minus 30% depending on what currency and what conversion rates are used.

Internet Facts

In the complex world of IPMI there is no space for "Internet Facts".

Facts from a country, insurer or trade body, are generally reliable but even "official" figures have to be watched as within Health there can be hospital cash or top-up covers and other non full PMI or IPMI figures.

Where governments demand returns on health insurance or there are official competition enquiries then there are some excellent numbers to crunch.

Understanding The PMI And IPMI Report Market

Unfortunately in 2016 there are so many sub-standard boiler plate healthcare, insurance and expatriate reports. They claim to have health insurance country figures, but when you shell out thousands of pounds of R & D budget, and look for yourself, they mix accident and health and protection together; and strangely they all seem to predict growth for the next five years of 20% a year.

We have seen reports that profile the top ten insurers' and base the country figures just on the rough claimed figures- where the top ten miss out more than half the market.

There are reports which show insurers country market share but the total always seems to add up to well over 100%!

So, how can we understand the size of the PMI and IPMI market?

International And Expatriate Healthcare And Insurance 2016 is the only reliable source of information that can be trusted to answer your question and even then there are still some gaps. But this is critical: this report deals in facts, not crystal balls.

The 2016 edition is the result of over a decade of specialist research and report writing and is the answer for insurers, brokers and corporations who struggle to break the market down.

Where there is decent data available, it is included and all data has been carefully researched, checked and verified with no outlandish or generic claims made. Past performance is not always a representation of future results.

2016 IPMI Report Facts And Features That Will Help You Size The Market:

Download the 2016 report information kit, click here.

Private medical insurance consolidator Chase Templeton has completed its fourth acquisition of 2016 with the purchase of Manchester’s Wellbeing Health Insurance Ltd.

The deal has seen the Darwen, Lancashire, headquartered business acquire a book worth nearly £880,000 in annual premium income, of which 80 percent is generated by SME clients. 

Completion of this latest transaction follows last month’s acquisition of Leeds-based Independent Health Services and January’s purchases of Preston’s Health Equity Solutions and Caledonian Health Solutions of Kelso. 

Wellbeing was owned by Graham Harfleet who is relocating to Scotland after his wife and fellow director Elizabeth secured a new position with the Methodist Church.

 “Whilst not one of our bigger acquisitions, Wellbeing Health Insurance nonetheless brings another solid and valuable SME client book to the business,” commented Chase Templeton’s chief executive officer, Warren Dickson. “It’s a good buy which also precedes a trio of more substantial deals which are pipelined for completion between now and the end of May.” 

The acquisition maintains the momentum of the company’s aggressive buy and build strategy which was has seen Chase Templeton become the leading consolidator in the UK’s PMI sector. 

Since securing backing from Manchester finance house Palatine Private Equity, the company has completed over 60 deals, including high profile acquisition targets such as Atlas Consulting Group, Avanti Healthcare and Consilium Employee Benefits.

The company now manages policies worth over £150m and employs some 115 staff across its three UK sites.

Punter Southall Health & Protection, one of the largest health and protection advisers in the UK, has launched Expatriate Benefit Solutions, a unique service to support employers with expatriate staff.

The new service is especially relevant for employers with small numbers of expatriates looking to expand and diversify their business overseas and is provided in association with Healix International, Morneau Shepell, and Bupa Global.

Commenting on the launch, Teresa Wighton, Head of International Healthcare Consulting, Punter Southall Health & Protection, says: “A successful international assignment needs careful consideration, planning and substantial resources. The average cost of an assignment can be significant and failure can therefore not only be costly, but also result in reputational damage for the company and the loss of valuable employees. Our new service helps reduce these risks and provides employers with the valuable support services that can help employees and their families settle into a new environment.”

The service comprises three inter-related components - pre-assignment screening, a cultural training and expatriate employee assistance programme, and international medical insurance.

Pre-assignment screening is provided by Healix International, using a simple online health questionnaire which is completed for all family members and assessed by a medical team. This is then used to determine if employees or their dependants have any underlying health issues or conditions to enable the right support to be put in place before an assignment starts.

Jon Atkins, Director of Business Development, Healix International, says “Many of the illnesses and health related problems suffered by business travellers and expatriates while overseas are both predictable and preventable. With the experience we have gained through the 12 million medical screenings we carry out each year, we are able to provide a comprehensive and cost effective online solution for assessing the health risks facing employees and their dependants.”

The cultural training and expatriate employee assistance programme is provided by Morneau Shepell and is aimed at helping employees settle into a new work environment and help their families adapt to their new lives. It comprises:

• A three-hour cultural training programme where employees learn skills and knowledge to live and work effectively within a different culture, and families learn how to communicate around feelings regarding the international assignment.
• A unique employee assistance programme (EAP) tailored specifically to support the needs and challenges facing expatriates. The service is 24/7 and provides access to 250 expatriate counsellors in over 70 countries, who all have personal expatriate experience.

Richard Albert, Vice President, Global Business Development at Morneau Shepell, says: “We are a leading and experienced expatriate EAP provider that has the unique understanding of the psychosocial impact of international relocation on diagnosis and treatment of problems. This clinical understanding enables us to effectively address expatriate problems and the spill over of these into the workplace. We also take a dual mandate, not only to provide short-term solution-focused counselling support, but also to sustain expatriates while on assignment.”

Bupa Global is providing the international medical insurance for this new service.  Ian Abbott, Head of Intermediary Distribution UK, Bupa Global, says: “Punter Southall Health & Protection partnered with Bupa Global to develop international medical insurance plans that fit the needs of expatriates wherever they are in the world. The products are available exclusively to clients of Punter Southall Health & Protection and are designed to give the ultimate assurance and peace of mind when sending employees and their families overseas. They provide cost effective, benefit rich cover, supported by a range of on-line services and 24/7 helpline advice and support.”