New insurance app makes brokers’ lives easier

05 February 2013: According to Apple’s App Store, downloads have doubled over the past year alone to reach 40 billion in January 2013. In line with this shift, local underwriter MUA Insurance Acceptances has now launched a new mobile App that provides its

05 February 2013: According to Apple’s App Store, downloads have doubled over the past year alone to reach 40 billion in January 2013. In line with this shift, local underwriter MUA Insurance Acceptances has now launched a new mobile App that provides its brokers with instant access to the company anytime, anywhere - a first of its kind for the South African executive short term insurance market.

Christelle Fourie, Managing Director of MUA Insurance Acceptances, says that brokers are incredibly busy people and are constantly on the move from client to client so they need to be able to communicate with the company at a time that is most convenient to them. “The App breaks down the traditional communication barriers between brokers and MUA by offering an easy and quick way to interact at any point of the day or night.”

“Importantly, the App also enables MUA to react immediately to its brokers’ needs - whether for updating their client’s policy information or just submitting a claim - all they need to do is push a button.”

Fourie says one of the most important functions of the new app is the ability for brokers to locate the nearest police station or hospital in the event of an emergency. “At the touch of a button, the user can locate and call the closest police station, hospital or be put through to the MUA emergency hotline Emergency Assist to acquire immediate assistance after a traumatic experience.”

In addition to the emergency features, the broker can perform a number of administrative tasks via the App, says Fourie. “Brokers can request a client’s policy schedule; receive a list of home and motor policy benefits; view the MUA Executive policy wording, excess and limits; or download the Road and Home assist brochures as well as MUA electronic brochures on behalf of a client or for themselves. At the push of a button the request is sent directly through to MUA and the broker is cc’d into the email in order for him/her to keep track of all client requests.”

Fourie says brokers can speed up their daily tasks by requesting forms such as home and motor quote forms, proposal forms and claim forms via the App. “Forms can become a major frustration for brokers as sometimes they are saved in different folders or the particular document a broker needs can be misplaced, the MUA mobile App helps to eliminate this kind of frustration by providing our brokers with another channel to communicate directly with MUA. Once a broker requests a certain form, it is sent straight to MUA where it will be processed immediately, saving them valuable time.”

As soon as a broker finds out that one of their clients has found themselves in an unfortunate situation, from a motor accident or a burst geyser in the home, they will be able to submit the claim directly to MUA using a wizard that will guide them step-by-step as to exactly what information they need to capture in order for the claim to be processed successfully, says Fourie. “This feature is hugely beneficial as it gives MUA a head start on the claims process, once again streamlining the communication between broker and the company and allowing processes to flow faster in order to make sure we keep our brokers and their clients happy.

“Brokers can also use the App to inform MUA of any changes to their clients’ details, such as addresses, contact numbers, or bank details and even add or delete items from their client’s policy or cancel their client’s policy.”

Users of the app will also be able to access MUA’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as the MUA newsfeed, says Fourie.

She says the app is dedicated to the smartphone market and will run on both Android and Apple iOS and will be ported to BlackBerry and Windows-operated phones later this year.

“MUA constantly strives to remain at the forefront of the industry by providing innovative solutions that make the lives of its brokers easier. We firmly believe that the new MUA app will enable interactions between MUA and its brokers to be more convenient as they now have all the information they need at their fingertips,” concludes Fourie.