News Room

May, 2009

Spike Technology introduces Assurant Solutions home emergency protection in Ireland

Assurant Solutions, a global provider of specialised insurance and insurance-related products, has introduced its new home emergency protection insurance into the Republic of Ireland entering into a strategic partnership with Spike Technology.

Stephen Pike of Spike Technology comments: “Home Emergency Protector is a simple, affordable way to help consumers cope with the unexpected costs of repairs and the hassle of finding reputable tradesmen to do the work. We’re confident that it will become a valuable new revenue stream for our brokers.”

Spike is home of HIQS, Ireland’s leading comparative home insurance quotation system for brokers which can compare up to 215 products from 24 providers. Home Emergency Protector from Assurant Solutions will be hosted on HIQS allowing Irish brokers to obtain a quote and convert it into a new policy quickly and efficiently.

• Home Emergency Protector covers common emergencies such as burst pipes, failure of utilities and central heating, and pest infestations – responding to many of the issues highlighted by Irish consumers in the research conducted by Assurant Solutions*:
• Over 50% of people surveyed have experienced central heating failure
• One in three respondents have experienced some kind of flooding/leaking and plumbing related disaster within their home
• 54% who have experienced a failure have had to call in a professional to rectify the damage
• One in four survey participants have suffered from pest infestation within their home

Home Emergency Protector operates a 24/7 helpdesk service 365 days a year giving policyholders access to a network of approved specialist trades people. Parts and labour costs are covered up to the value of €1,500 per annum.

Drazen Jaksic, Assurant Solutions Managing Director UK & Ireland, says: “Home Emergency Protector offers an easy to understand and flexible home emergency product which takes away the stress of tracking down reliable repairers and covers the cost of the bill. It is a sensible bolt-on to buildings and contents insurance rather than a replacement, ensuring any gaps in cover are filled.”

Assurant Solutions specialises in creating, underwriting and administering niche insurance protection products that provide consumers with protection against life’s events that can cause financial hardship. The business works with financial institutions, intermediaries, brokers and high street and home shopping retailers to design, develop, underwrite, administer and market these niche insurance lines.

-Ends-

* Survey of 500 consumers conducted by Assurant Solutions in the Republic of Ireland, March 2009

For further information please contact:

Lesley Russell at Spotlight Communications
Tel: 07815 778038
Email: lesley@spotlightcomms.co.uk

Assurant Solutions

Assurant Solutions businesses develop, underwrite, market and administer specialty insurance, extended service contracts and other risk management solutions through collaborative relationships with leading financial institutions, retailers, automobile dealers, funeral homes, utilities and other entities. With operations in 25 locations, including executive offices in Atlanta, Ga., Assurant Solutions serves clients and their customers in 13 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia. www.assurantsolutions.com

Assurant Solutions is part of Assurant Inc., a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected international markets/territories. Its four key businesses - Assurant Solutions, Assurant Specialty Property, Assurant Health and Assurant Employee Benefits - partner with clients who are leaders in their industries and who have built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments worldwide.

Assurant, Inc.

Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. Assurant has over $26 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue. www.assurant.com