DEVITT Insurance Services is shifting its focus from independent agents to miniples with 12 or more branches from the end of the year.
The change follows the acquisition of the broker last month by Churchill Insurance for an undisclosed sum. Devitt was owned by SBJ Group, which specialises in commercial insurance, while Churchill is a major direct-sell motor insurer.
Divisional director and head of travel products Robert Smith said Devitt will continue to trade under two brands – DCT, which is the direct-sell division of the business and accounts for 50% of sales, and Travel Insurance Services, which markets to the trade and brings in the remaining 50%.
However, Smith said TIS is axing its standard retail policy at the end of the year in favour of developing tailor-made policies for tour operators and larger agents.
“It is not cost-effective to try to court smaller agents, so we will concentrate on developing bespoke insurance policies for travel agents with 12 branches or more,” he added.
“I think this is the way a lot of brokers will go in future, especially with new regulations expected from the General Insurance Standards Council.”
The GISC has been set up to monitor all insurance sales, including those of travel agents, and is expected to require everyone who sells to the public to be licensed.
Meanwhile, Devitt is extending its tour operator liability insurance policies to make it a one-stop shop for all commercial risks.
As well as tour operator liability, the product, to be launched at the end of November under the name of Carapace, will offer travel agent and tour operator office protection, as well as directors’ and officers’ liability cover.
Smith said each policy will be individually quoted and premiums will depend on the level of cover needed. A campaign to raise awareness of the product will start in Travel Weekly early next year.