KUWAIT: Kuwait Qatar Insurance Company (KQIC), a premier insurer offering both conventional insurance and Takaful products yesterday announced the launch of its online retail platform, WWW.KQIC-ONLINE.COM. With this new platform, customers will now be able to renew or purchase personal insurances (car, home and travel) from anywhere just with the click of a button. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Darren Collinson CEO of KQIC stated "KQIC's successful operation in Kuwait for over a decade is testament to that fact that our personal insurance business through our corporate customers has been and is very successful. However, stifling competition in the personal insurance marketplace over the last few years has made it clear that there was a gap which will now be filled with this new online platform."

He further added, "With this online portal, KQIC will enhance its distribution channel to deliver secure, modern and innovative solutions to help customers make their insurance purchasing experience simple, quick and easy. We have revolutionized our personal insurance offerings by making them directly available to individual customers under the theme 'Global Insurance - Local Assurance'.

Part of global strategy

KQIC's focus into expanding its direct personal insurance business through the online platform is no coincidence but is an integral part of QIC Group's Global Strategy. Darren Collinson, CEO of KQIC says, "We're already within the top-50 reinsurers worldwide and we aim to place QIC Group amongst the global top 50insurance players. Hence our expansion into direct line is very much in line with our Group strategy."

International standards

Hassan Al Jaidah, Deputy CEO of KQIC adds, "Customers are increasingly getting tech-savvy and their preferences rapidly changing with the evolution of smart technology. Being a customer-driven segment, we are committed to provide new, innovative channels that meet the evolving needs of customers. With the introduction of the online channel, we aim to create a seamless engagement with our customers providing an all new level of convenience of purchasing/renewing personal insurance from anywhere, at any time.

Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Vice President and Head of Group Retail for Qatar Insurance says, "There are mainly two types of insurance companies in the personal insurance marketplace- large international insurers headquartered outside the region and local insurers with strong local knowledge and presence. The large international insurers are very strong in providing customer service and having their business processes aligned to international standards, while the local insurers 'know the way around the Souq' and are able to provide customers with local knowledge and assistance." "We're proud to offer a very unique online platform where customers can manage all their personal insurances; no need to call or visit our branches; all can be managed online", says Frederik.

Online window-shopping

KQIC's online retail platform helps potential customers 'window-shop' while browsing for the best insurance deals in Kuwait in less than a minute, without having to disclose any personal information. Visitors can receive quick quotes and purchase or renew car, home or travel insurance -be it a transfer from another insurance company or a brand new policy purchase or renewal.