The Hilton Birmingham Metropole: back in 2006 this was the meeting point for six legal expenses insurance experts and a senior representative from ARAG HQ in Germany. More importantly it was the venue where the decision to launch ARAG in the UK was made.
Headed up by Tony Buss, the six experts now make up the management team at ARAG UK and they officially started operations in the latter half of 2006. Along the way a number of acquisitions were made, including ULR (Knebworth) in 2007 and ATE Ltd and Capita Assistance in 2009.
Fast-forward to today and ARAG is on track to exceed £35 million in premium income by the end of 2011, they are trading with over 1000 brokers and solicitors, have more than 50 staff and an impressive number of policies in the marketplace:
– Over 1.5 million motorists
– 500,000 households
– 100,000 businesses
– 500,000 emergency product customers
– Over 25,000 After-the-Event policies
Alongside these impressive figures ARAG has always been committed to providing quality products and services, this is reflected by the range of achievements and accolades awarded to ARAG by the industry, including:
– ‘Best Legal Expenses Insurance Provider’ Insurance 360 Report
– ‘ATE Insurance Provider of the Year’ 2009 Personal Injury Awards
– ‘ATE Insurance Provider of the Year’ shortlisted 2011 Personal Injury Awards
-‘Most Innovative use of Software by an Insurer’ and ‘Outstanding Team of the Year’ 2010 Claims Technology Awards
The product range at ARAG has also grown significantly, developed over the past five years through innovation and demand in the market in the key areas of commercial, landlords, family, ATE and assistance. The most recent launches were Divorce Legal Solutions and Pre-nuptial Legal Solutions, both the first of their kind in the UK.
So what do the next five years hold for ARAG? There are exciting plans for a rebranding project in 2012, opportunities will be realised in expanding the commercial side of the ATE business and the launch of the improved QuickQuote system will make life much easier for BTE customers.
While there is one blip on the horizon, namely the Jackson reforms in the LASPO Bill, ARAG will continue to oppose the changes and fight for accident victims. Despite this however it is fair to say that ARAG is looking forward to the next five years and the opportunities and challenges that will surely accompany them.
