Biba 2012: Brokers confident of growth prospects for 2012

More than 60% of brokers are confident about their overall business growth prospects for the next year, despite the double-dip recession, according to new research by Sterling Insurance.

Sterling’s annual broker survey, which is in its fourth year and took place between March and April 2012, asked brokers whether they thought business from personal and commercial lines and business overall would deteriorate, stay the same or improve.

The study also found that brokers remained loyal to Sterling, with 65% rating the competitiveness of its products as good/excellent. Likewise 75% of those surveyed rated Sterling’s claims service as good/excellent, up 20% on the preceding 12 months.

Sterling head of commercial and personal lines David Sweeney said: “Our annual broker survey is an excellent way of communicating with the brokers who make our business what it is. Reliable products and a strong customer service ethos are as important to brokers as the professionalism of our staff. This is illustrated by the fact that Sterling recently committed itself to the CII Aldermanbury Declaration and also achieved CII chartered status for our household, commercial claims and underwriting teams.

“Sterling now has a regional presence in Manchester, with local experienced underwriters and regional development managers on hand for all our brokers. Opening this office is part of our overall strategy to ensure that our brokers get access to the right people at the right time and that Sterling understands their individual and specific needs. Once the model has proved successful, we will of course consider other regional offices.”

Click here to watch Insurance Times’s LIVE coverage from Biba 2012 in Manchester