Nobilas Joins with Institute of Insurance Economics at the University of St. Gallen to explore the Future of Accident Management

Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, May 10, 2007 – To maintain insight into the key trends and developments in the motor insurance industry and to be able to provide insurers with an overview of the potential benefits of outsourcing accident and/or repair management activities, Nobilas Claims & Fleet Solutions, an Akzo Nobel company, today announced that it has embarked on a relationship with the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Of particular significance, Nobilas will participate in the Future Value project, part of the University’s Institute of Insurance Economics, to explore future trends in insurance and their implications for the industry.

The goal of this new relationship is to enhance Nobilas’ leading-edge accident management approach, which includes outsourcing solutions for the entire vehicle repair process to further reduce the costs of a motor claim and at the same time improve the service delivery for the policy holders.

Bruno Kaeslin, Project Manager, Institute of Insurance Economics: "Our research has shown that active accident management programs have great benefits for motor insurance companies. The management of the whole value chain in accident management from towing a damaged vehicle to providing a rental car and providing oversight during the entire repair process not only has cost benefits but also relieves the insurance clients significantly, enables a better client-firm-relationship and results in a better customer loyalty rate.

According to Thomas Geiger, General Manager for Nobilas Germany, Austria and Switzerland, “We consider Accident Management to be our core business and are able to offer insurers the dedicated focus on cost control, reduce vehicle off road time and client experience satisfaction. This ultimately results in a satisfied customer and increased client retention. Therefore, in most cases, it makes economic sense for insurers to outsource this entire function to accident management experts like us.”

Geiger goes on to say, “If repairing the insured vehicle is a smooth process with excellent service against competitive costs, customers are likely to keep their policy or business with that insurance company which turns ‘the Nobilas Accident Management solution’ into a significant competitive advantage.“

Nobilas Claims & Fleet Solutions’ innovative processes and products give the motor insurance industry the opportunity to keep focus on its core competency of underwriting and claims handling while building customer loyalty. “For this reason, the company has teamed up with St. Gallen University to find the best way to anticipate the future needs of the motor insurance industry related to accidents and to bring this industry forward,” Geiger added.

Dr. Peter Maas, Director, Institute of Insurance Economics at the University of St. Gallen, says: “The Future Value project focuses on the German-speaking insurance sector, providing an interactive platform for discussions and knowledge exchange. Since Nobilas is offering a unique concept that focuses on delivering transparency to the insurance sector, this benefits all the relevant parties involved. Nobilas is the only Accident Management Company participating in the Future Value project.”

“Together with Institute of Insurance Economics, we want to research the market trends and keep a close eye on the insurance industry because many changes are expected in the future,” added Geiger, “We also want to be sure our offering adapts to these changes to maintain our competitive advantage.”

Nobilas manages the complete repair process for damaged vehicles owned by corporations, rental car agencies, motor insurers, and leasing companies. Nobilas accident management solutions take advantage of its integrated ICT platform and its pan-European and North American network of body shops. The company manages a network of body shops, and also monitors the speed and quality of the repair. Nobilas takes a fresh approach, encouraging body shops to look at a repair as a total project, not an hourly job, and has a team of managers and engineers who supervise the process to keep costs low.

The Institute of Insurance Economics is an international and well-known research centre at the University of St. Gallen, among Europe's top business schools. The Institute provides important input for teaching at the University, and plays a significant role in research and in furthering the careers of young academics. It focuses on strategic issues in the Financial Services and Insurance Industry, and on Risk Management.

Reader enquiries

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions
Taurusavenue 3-5
2132 LS Hoofddorp
Netherlands
+31 23 7990 200
info@​nobilas.com
www.nobilas.com

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Notes for editors

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions, an Akzo Nobel company operating in Europe and North America, is a business-to-business accident management provider combining leading car repair process management skills with first notification of loss, mobility solutions, assessment service, claims management and fleet identity solutions. Its clients are auto insurers, leasing companies, rental companies and corporate fleet owners.

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Listed on both the Euronext and NASDAQ Stock Exchanges, the company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The Company currently employs some 62,000 people in more than 80 countries.

For more information about Nobilas, please visit: www.nobilas.com