Dateline: 04/08/1999
“Virtual Risk Architects” Provide Efficient, State-of-the-Art Solutions
to Hyper-Growth Market
CHICAGO AND SCHAUMBURG, IL. August 4, 1999 – Zurich U.S. and Aon Corporation have announced the creation of RiskAttacksm, (Align Technology Talent to Assess Customer Risk), a new facility that provides leading-edge insurance, risk management and financial services solutions to mid-sized technology businesses. The facility is the joint creation of Zurich U.S., one of the nation’s leading property and casualty insurers, and Aon Corporation, the nation’s premier insurance brokerage firm.
RiskAttack gives growing technology companies direct, efficient access to the full line of insurance and financial services solutions and expertise resident in Zurich U.S. and Aon. These range from directors and officers liability, errors and omissions, intellectual property and other insurance products tailored for technology risks, to strategic risk assessment, asset management, payroll solutions, and integrated disability solutions, as well as premium financing and consulting services. In addition, RiskAttack technology automates for technology businesses many of the transactions and day-to-day tasks associated with risk management, including risk assessment, claims servicing and information delivery.
“Many technology businesses are long on growth strategy but short on risk management resources. RiskAttack provides these businesses with a fast, convenient and cost-sensible way to attain market-leading products, services and expertise to address their full spectrum of insurance and financial risks,” said John Dawson, recently appointed President of the new facility. Dawson went on to explain that “Existing Zurich U.S. and Aon technology customers will continue to deal with their current distributors and underwriters. The new RiskAttack venture will be addressing business that neither Zurich U.S. nor Aon handle in the technology area.” Mr. Dawson was formerly President of Zurich Technology Risk Services.
Along with products, services and technology tools, RiskAttack customers in the U.S. can access “virtual risk architects,” who collaborate with them on risk management solutions electronically or via a dedicated toll-free hotline 6-days-a-week, 18-hours-a-day. Next year this consultation will be available round-the-clock, seven-days-a-week for both U.S. and international customers.
Phase I of the RiskAttack implementation will begin in nine U.S. cities in September 1999 with additional cities opening in early 2000. RiskAttack will launch international offices in the third quarter of 2000.
Zurich U.S. and Aon are 50-50 partners in the new facility, which is headquartered in a separate facility in Schaumburg. Paul Henriod, President and CEO of Aon Risk Services, Inc. of Utah, is CEO and Chairman of the Board of the joint facility. Board members include Zurich U.S. CEO Constantine “Dinos” Iordanou, Richard A. Riley, Chairman of Aon Risk Services Companies, Inc. (Americas) as well as other senior executives from Zurich U.S. and Aon.
Technology businesses seeking to learn more about RiskAttack should contact John Dawson (847) 605-2106/john.dawson@zurichna.com.
Aon Corporation is a holding company that comprises a family of insurance brokerage, consulting and underwriting subsidiaries. Aon’s common stock (Symbol: AOC) is listed on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges.
Zurich U.S. is a leading commercial property and casualty insurance company serving the multinational, middle market and small business sectors in the U.S. Zurich U.S. is a member of the Zurich Financial Services Group, a global leader in the financial services industry.
Providing its customers with solutions in the area of financial protection and asset accumulation, the Zurich Financial Services Group concentrates its activities in four core businesses: non-life and life insurance, reinsurance and asset management. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Group’s worldwide presence builds on strong positions in its three home markets – the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. It has offices in more than 60 countries reaching over 33 million customers and employing 68,000 employees.
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Media contacts:
Patricia Schnably
Vice President
Corporate Marketing Communications
Zurich U.S.
(410) 338-2755 (Baltimore)
(847) 605-6372 (Schaumburg)
pat.schnably@zurichna.com
Paul Cristiano
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Aon Corporation
914-347-6450
paul_cristiano@ars.aon.com