QBE and Marsh come together to support frontline fight against COVID-19

QBE Insurance and Marsh Commercial have joined hands to support the frontline fight against COVID-19. When a research team of a large multinational pharma company in UK wanted to support and work alongside the national healthcare scheme staff to test suspected COVID-19 patients in hospitals and clinics across the country, QBE agreed to extend the employer's cover to all volunteers at no extra cost.

The employer’s liability insurance cover for the pharma company is currently provided by QBE. Hence, when approached by Marsh Commercial to extend the employer’s liability cover for this out-of-remit activity, QBE readily agreed and at no additional cost and with no cover restrictions for the volunteers.

Maintaining prudent underwriting discipline, balanced with a flexible approach, the QBE team was able to assess the hazards and identify how these might be risk managed, and therefore underwritten, and supplied a same-day response.

QBE casualty regional underwriting manager Janine Wood said, “It has always been our approach at QBE to treat every case on its own merits and time and time again we are willing to underwrite risks that others may not.

“As long as our underwriting criteria is met we will always look to find a solution to support our customers, it is too easy to say no in a time of unprecedented uncertainty. Never before has this approach been so vital if QBE are to support the future economic viability of our customers as well as supporting the country and wider global community to help fight the virus.”

Marsh Commercial client director Liam O’Rourke, said, “It would have been easy for QBE to rely on the policy terms  and to say no to the request,  but the team were willing to listen and figure out a solution that allowed the client to provide valuable assistance to the  health service. “At a time when insurance is getting bad press, it was fantastic to see a quick and positive response from QBE, who stepped up in support of our mutual client in a time of real need.”

In a fast-moving environment, QBE and Marsh Commercial are in constant dialogue with the customer to ensure at all times those employees on the front line are properly supported.

Source: Asia Insurance Review