Disaster recovery company Ark & General is set to finalise partnership agreements with several of the top ten insurers.
Zurich is the first to sign up. The two companies have agreed to work together on new products, internet development and customer service.
The agreement is the first of several that West Midlands-based Ark & General is set to sign over the coming weeks, managing director Doug Blanks said. Although he would not name the companies he is talking to, he confirmed that they are on the "top ten list of insurers".
"We've been in talks for some time," Blanks said. "It takes a long time to negotiate, and the bigger the company, the longer it takes."
Ark & General, the UK's biggest and oldest independent disaster recovery and business continuity planning company, has had a long trade relationship with Zurich.
The deal will give Zurich exclusive rights to any new products or software that develop from the relationship during the first six months. Ark & General will also help Zurich improve its customer service in areas such as flood response, provision of temporary buildings and restoration works.
Blanks said having Zurich as a strategic partner was excellent for his company.
"The greater support we receive, the greater our ability to save lives and livelihoods," Blanks said.
"It's a marriage made in heaven," he added.
Zurich's claims head Roger Day said the partnership would enable his company to provide an even better service, including exclusive access to Ark & General products well before they became generally available.
"We're delighted to announce this partnership agreement and look forward to a long and successful relationship," Day said.
"Zurich's experience of working with Ark & General over the last few years has proved that they supply comprehensive products and excellent service."
