CGU InSTRIVE

1. A message from Damien Gallagher

With much of Australia in various states of restriction or lockdown, I’m reminded of how much our lives and ways of working have changed. Looking back over the past 18 months we are still trying to navigate an evolving world and stay positive in the face of ongoing social and economic uncertainty.

Watching the constant media updates makes us feel like we’re in a never-ending bad news cycle, testing even the most resilient among us. But we only need to look around us for the stories humanity and hope to know that we will come out the other side, with life eventually resuming a sense of normality. Wherever you are located, I sincerely hope that this message finds you and your family safe and well and looking optimistically towards the future.

As you may be aware, CGU has been working through some changes in our operating model. I am pleased to share our new structure has been finalised, with appointments for IIA relationships team members now confirmed. In the weeks ahead you will be hearing from your newly appointed relationship partners, who I know are looking forward to meeting their broker partners and commence planning for a successful year ahead. With Pegah Vaghaye’s leadership team now in place, I’d also like to introduce you to them in a series of Fast Five interviews.

It’s also hard to believe it’s been six months since we launched our first Broker Pulse Survey. We received an overwhelming response with some clear themes coming through about how we can improve your experience. The results have been shared within our business, with action plans underway to address areas of improvement. We’ll continue to share our progress with you and look forward to your participation in future rounds, so that we can regularly measure how we’re tracking.

We also have other positive news to share in this edition of EDGE. We have optimised our ARN process for 15T Business Pak products and our UBuild2 quoting platform also continues to grow from strength to strength, streamlining the process of quoting and binding our C&E products.

On behalf of all of us at CGU I want to recognise our broker partners for your resilience and patience during another challenging year. Amongst so much change and uncertainty, you have my assurance that our teams are well set up to deliver the service, support, products, and technical expertise you have come to expect from CGU.

Best Regards,

Damien Gallagher.

2. Build the right protection with UBUILD2

UBuild2, our enhanced online tool allows you to quote and bind your clients’ residential and commercial building risks with the most streamlined of processes. It provides you with a simpler, more intuitive experience, saving you time, whilst ensuring the right level of protection.

Available 24/7 on the CGU Broker Portal, UBuild2 lets you generate immediate policy schedules for periods of up to 18 months for individual contracts up to $5M, with an annual turnover of up to $20M.

With more flexibility than ever, you have the choice of deductibles and tailored commission levels, coupled with competitive rates across our targeted market segments.

UBuild2 provides simple navigation for a user-friendly experience every time. Now providing self-serve Certificate of Currently and schedule documents, inclusive of the new policy number, you will save time when quoting and binding the business.

Brokers around the country continue to be impressed by the ease and intuitiveness of the tool…

“For the SME space UBuild2 is a perfect tool, allowing you to generate instant quotes for Owner/Builders, Single Projects & Annual Policies for our Construction Clients. Simple to use with minimal underwriting questions allowing this quote & bind facility to be very efficient. The ability to change commission rate, assists when attacking an Account for a more competitive premium option”. Sharon Smith, Ballina Insurance Brokers

Contact your Broker Relationship Partner today to find out how you can access UBuild2.

3. BROKER PULSECHECK

In early May, we launched our first Broker survey - BrokerPulse. Measuring broker experience across all touchpoints of your journey within our business, BrokerPulse will help us to better understand what we do well, not so well, and importantly guide us towards making meaningful improvements.

Thank you to our broker partners who participated in the survey, adding your voice to a strong response rate that has already provided us with rich insights. We are in the process of analysing the data in detail to assist in prioritisation of actions and initiatives.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to communicate the outcomes of our findings, asking you to participate in future rounds so that we can continuously measure our progress.

Keep your eyes out for your next survey invitation, which will be hitting your inboxes on in October. Please keep your feedback coming, knowing that we’re busily working behind the scenes to build the best possible intermediated experience for you.

4. Lockdown tips from CGU to you

If you’re feeling tired of being confined to the same four walls of your home, you’re not alone. Human beings are inherently social creatures, so it’s only natural to feel fatigued or a bit foggy during extended periods of isolation.

Now more than ever, it’s important to take care of yourself and help your friends and family do the same.

So, if confinement is taking a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing, here are some top tips from our team to help you combat the stay-at-home blues and keep you healthy and happy during lockdown.

Lockdown tips from a couple of the CGU team…

Scott Gangell, Manager, National Broker Groups

Try new recipes

My family have a ritual now – we try a minimum of one new meal a week to expand our recipe repertoire. We also started teaching our children how to cook their favourite meals, but this is still a work in progress!

Meditate your mind

I am a big believer in mindfulness after I learnt all about it in a leadership course a few years back. My daily mediation routine gives me focus and really sets me up for the day. It certainly helps me get through the stresses that lockdown puts on us.

Take a break

I’ve been getting outside (while abiding by lockdown rules, of course) to enjoy walks with my wife and kids each afternoon. Stepping away from my screens to get outside gives me a break from my work day, plus it allows me to spend some quality time with my family in the evenings.

Tiana Luvale, Communications & Engagement Specialist

Step outside

Being in lockdown doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors 24/7. Get some sunlight and go for a walk or relax in your backyard or on your balcony with a cup of tea. Schedule time for physical activity outside every day. For me personally, moving my body helps me calm my mind.

Create a playlist

Be entertained and uplifted by listening to interesting podcasts that feed your brain or create a music playlist that gets you moving and grooving.

Get organised

Engage in some serious home de-cluttering by getting ahead on spring cleaning. From wardrobes and cupboards to drawers, I find organising stuff to be very satisfying.

If you’ve been struggling with being in lockdown or feeling anxious and sad for more than two weeks, it’s time to get help.

There are free health services available to you that you can access from home and remain completely anonymous. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 counselling and support. If phone calls aren’t your thing, log onto eHeadspace from 9am to 1am to chat to a health clinician.

If you think a friend or loved one needs help, check out the Black Dog Institute, Head to Health or Headspace for support.

5. Fast 5 with our 5 Broker Group Managers

This month’s Fast 5 is with the fabulous 5 Managers of our major Broking Group partners. Get to know the team looking after many of your team!