Acquisition boosts insurer’s outsourced claims management strategy.
IGI Group has acquired legal expenses specialist Complete Claims for an undisclosed sum.
In addition to fattening its legal expenses book, the specialist general insurer has also boosted its presence in outsourced claims management, in which Complete Claims is a specialist.
Keith Wardell, chief executive of IGI Group, said: “IGI has been quietly but conscientiously building its legal expenses business over the past few years and this acquisition forms an important part of our ongoing strategy to achieve significant growth.
“The long-term relationship between the two businesses and cultural fit is very strong and provides an ideal platform to capitalise on the opportunities we see in the market. Our brokers will benefit from the synergies, which will result in an enhanced range of products.”
IGI underwrites a range of before-the-event (BTE) and after-the-event (ATE) legal expenses covers, and offers solutions such as deferred and disbursement funding for solicitors handling ATE cases. It has underwritten Complete Claims’ legal expenses product range for over seven years.
Established in 2001, Complete Claims provides a variety of legal expenses products, claims management services and other claims-related products, such as uninsured loss recovery and replacement vehicle hire services. It also has a range of bespoke BTE and ATE products.
The Complete Claims brand will be phased out over the coming months. All 32 Complete Claims staff members have joined IGI. The new division will be headed by Andrew Kay, formerly of Complete Claims, who will work closely with IGI’s Nottingham-based product manager, Giles Reading.
Chris Kelly, managing director of Complete Claims, will undertake a developmental role assuming responsibility for building upon broking and insurer relationships.
Kelly said: “I’m delighted for the clients and staff of Complete Claims that the business has been acquired by a company with such an excellent reputation in the legal expenses field. I have enjoyed a long association with both IGI and Keith Wardell and with their secure backing and the dynamic plans they have to develop the business further, I am certain that there are exciting times ahead.”
