Zurich expands access to Exporter Solutions for middle market firms
Zurich Multinational’s Exporter Solutions Digital Platform extends industry and premium eligibility for growing firms with limited international exposures.
With growing U.S. middle market companies in mind, Zurich North America has broadened access to insurance coverages available in as little as 15 minutes through its award-winning Exporter Solutions Digital Platform. ESDP, created by Zurich Multinational, now is available to companies in more industries with lower minimum premiums and enhanced terms.
“Middle market companies increasingly have some international exposure, and we wanted to make it easier for U.S. companies to secure coverage for their occasional or defined activities overseas,” said Cody Griffin, U.S. Head of Multinational Underwriting at Zurich North America. “The updates to our Exporter Solutions Digital Platform include broader eligibility, improved terms and conditions, and reduced minimum premiums — changes designed to meet middle market businesses where they are.”
Exporter Solutions was introduced in 2022 for U.S.-based companies that do not have physical locations or employees based overseas, but that ship products or have business travel or other incidental exposures overseas.
“ESDP was the first P&C digital insurance platform of its kind — enabling brokers to seek, purchase and bind an international, multi-year policy within a matter of minutes after answering only a few online questions,” said Spring Uphoff Neely, U.S. Head of Multinational Strategy and Execution for Zurich North America. “This year’s enhancements reflect what the market has been asking for — even more accessibility.”
What’s new
- Expanded eligibility: More than 400 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are now accepted, including industries like life sciences (excluding clinical trials), aviation, architecture and engineering, and construction (for travel exposures only).
- Lower minimum premiums: Minimum premiums have dropped from $2,500 to $2,000 for one-year policies, $4,000 for two years and $6,000 for four years.
- Improved terms and conditions: Policy language has been refined and 1-, 2- and 3-year coverage options are offered, with corresponding premium adjustments.
- Straight-through underwriting: Submissions under $50,000 in gross written premium can now be quoted and bound even faster, in part because additional tasks such as checking producer licensing and registration have been automated.
Filling a gap
Companies that have operated only in the U.S. and are new to exporting products or doing business overseas sometimes learn belatedly that incidental international exposures are not adequately covered under domestic policies.
“Exporter Solutions is helping us support customers who previously may have had a gap in coverage,” said John Mizzi, Chief Operating Officer for U.S. Middle Market at Zurich North America. “These updates enable our middle market customers to benefit from the full breadth and depth of Zurich’s capabilities, including 50 years of experience offering industry-leading international solutions.”
ESDP also fills resource gaps for middle market brokers, many of whom do not have dedicated international teams. The brief online eligibility questionnaire helps guide them to appropriate coverage for the customer’s need.
From ESDP’s earliest days, brokers have given it high marks in surveys. One broker reported: “[ESDP] proved to be an impressive tool for one of our West Coast accounts that had minimal exposure with no local placement required. Within a few minutes and keystrokes, we had a viable quote inclusive of the packaged coverages, limits to meet the contractual needs of this client, and in a professional, client-ready format that allowed us to get it presented to our client swiftly. We obtained the bind order almost on receipt/review of the quote by the client and proceeded to issue within the digital platform. This was an effortless placement.”
ESDP won a 2023 U.S. Insurance Award from Business Insurance.
“These latest enhancements to ESDP improve our competitiveness and broaden access to coverage,” said Warren Kebert, Zurich Multinational Middle Market Practice Leader for Zurich North America. “It benefits our customers and brokers and demonstrates our commitment to being customer-led.”
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