Personal touch defines JVC Insurance
Brokers
In the business world, word-of-mouth referrals require
invaluable expertise coupled with exceptional client service.
"This is something you have to create. It doesn't start existing
one day, it's a demanding process," says Johan Erasmus, a partner
at award-winning JVC Insurance Brokers based in Johannesburg.
And with the benefit of experience spanning two decades, Erasmus
and his partner Volker Grünewald, have consistently built their
business to the point where most of their referrals really is
through word of mouth. "Our decision to join the insurance industry
was simply an opportunity we decided to make the best of. Both of
us enjoy serving people and in doing so, we have cultivated a
commitment to providing the most efficient service we possibly
can."
The company's services extend to all areas of short-term
insurance, specialising in Commercial, Personal, Marine,
Contractors and Plant All Risk. Erasmus and Grünewald both began
their careers in the short-term insurance industry: "My very first
job was in this industry and our work as intermediaries evolved
from there," says Erasmus. The majority of JVC's employees,
including Erasmus, also have a history with Santam. "We communicate
with Santam and the bulk of our business is with Santam. If you
enjoy serving your clients, you need to do this with a company that
matches the promises you make to a client," he says.
JVC Insurance Brokers endeavours to offer their clients complete
peace of mind. "With insurance, it is always a question of when
something is going to happen, not if it's going to happen
at all. Erasmus emphasizes that the stability of a recognised
brand like Santam has stood their business in good stead: "We
receive very good support from Santam and they make it easy for us
to do business with them," he says.
The industry is not without its challenges, however. The
proliferation of competition in the market is a constant reminder
that exceptional service is imperative, Erasmus says. He adds that
'administrative red-tape' can also make business difficult.
Erasmus, Grünewald and their team tackle the latter challenge by
working through broker consultants: "The access to management staff
in Santam works well. Their doors are always open to speak to the
regional managers or branch managers and we tend to get a lot done
in this way," Erasmus adds.
Erasmus maintains that their winning formula of meeting and
servicing their clients personally works. "Today, the personal
touch is almost unusual but I believe that this is what defines us.
We are honest and transparent and we are very aware of the value of
realistic expectations. "Each one of our clients, regardless of the
size of their policy is important to us," says Erasmus. He adds
that it is imperative for them to stay abreast of governance
requirements and changes in legislation. "We put a lot of emphasis
on training because we recognise that knowledge provides
confidence."
In July 2010, JVC Insurance Brokers, which celebrates its
sixteenth year of existence this year, won the Santam Diamond Award
for the top short-term insurance brokerage in the North and West of
Johannesburg.
Ebrahim Ismail, the owner of Saferun Logistics pays testimony to
the impeccable service JVC Insurance Brokers provide: "When you run
a logistics company and one of your trucks get hit by lightning,
you need efficient service. Johan and his team immediately got us a
quotation and arranged for an assessor to come and check our
vehicle. The authorisation came through and it was fixed within
three days. My business carried on as usual. I'm very grateful to
JVC Insurance Brokers for their efficient service."
Says Erasmus of their recipe for success: "Volker is my
role-model and I am his. We have an immense amount of respect for
one another and I believe these values filter through to our staff.
Intermediaries play an immensely important role in the insurance
industry and we want to ensure that this continues to be the case
in the future."
