Insurance Brokers Embrace UK Club Underwriting App
The UK Club has launched its “iPANDI” iPad based app to provide up to date underwriting information for members and their insurance brokers, even when on the move.
The iPANDI app downloads underwriting data via the Club’s IT systems and presents it conveniently in both graphic and table formats. The data can be viewed off line, for example on planes or away from the office.
Security is maintained by a unique licence key to access member information. The licence key is only entered once to initiate the data download to the iPad. Keys are supplied through the member or broker’s usual underwriting contact at the Club.
Initially piloted with a number of the UK Club's brokers the app has met with unequivocal approval and enthusiasm. Brokers have already adopted it to guide renewal discussions with the UK Club on behalf of their member clients.
The UK Club’s Underwriting Director, Christopher Brown, explained, “Our Members and brokers have challenged us to find better ways to share information.” “We have tested some conventional apps for simple information, but iPandi is the game-changer as it is the first to link directly to the underwriting systems of the club. It feeds the latest record statement data, including underlying claims cost information, to the iPad. Consequently, members and brokers can choose to view an updated loss record statement at any time.”
“Brokers testing the new app are able to undertake lengthy trips to their international clients equipped simply with a tablet. All the renewal information they need is at their fingertips. Importantly, if information changes whilst on the move a simple refresh brings them fully up to date.”
Market changing
The unqualified success of the pilot phase has led to the iPandi app being promoted to all of the UK Club’s Members and brokers with immediate effect.
Brokers have recognized substantial potential benefits in reduced back-office costs. Preparation of bulky paper P&I records and review material can be substituted by a simple download to the app. This is particularly meaningful to smaller independent broking houses that lack the economies of scale of the international broker firms.
Client and broker can enjoy the same immediate access to identical information for ongoing reviews and discussion. More energy and time can be spent understanding records and risk instead of administration.
100% clarity objective
iPandi is part of the UK Club's wider strategy to enhance transparency and clarity for its Members and their brokers.
Thomas Miller P&I chairman & managing director, Hugo Wynn-Williams explained, "New media like the iPandi app is a key part of our strategy to maximise the quality and accessibility of information to Members and their brokers."
In the past year, the Club has launched an innovative ‘BowTie’ risk management scheme that shares its extensive claims experience with Members to identify areas of risk and minimise the occurrence of claims incidents. It also adopted the more extensive IFRS accounting format for its Report & Accounts to include more detailed information on claims development and other financial data.
Key features
Members can track developments in premium debiting and payments, policy documentation, as well as the financial aspects of claims, as iPANDI feeds the iPad with latest paid and estimated values of every file for every entered ship in the member’s fleet When visiting members, Club underwriters & brokers save on time and administration by downloading the latest data rather than creating bulky paper files.
Essential documents such as Blue Cards, loss record statements, debit and credit notes, Certificates of Financial Responsibility, guarantees, mortgagee undertakings and Club Certificates of Entry are available from the app in PDF format.
Security is maintained by a unique licence key to access member information. The licence key is only entered once to initiate the data download to the iPad. Keys are supplied through the member or broker’s usual underwriting contact at the Club.
Obtaining a copy of iPandi
The iPandi app is supplied via the App Store on the Apple iTunes website. A dedicated area of the UK Club website provides direct links to downloading the app as well as a range of support resources such as FAQs.
