Aon adds marine muscle in Durban

The Durban branch of
insurance brokers Aon has
now launched a full-strength
team to offer marine cover to
the industry.
Last year the company
decided that it was time to offer
such a professional marine
insurance service.
Durban is the largest and
busiest port in Africa, and one
of the largest in the southern
hemisphere, according to Aon
marine team leader,
Debbie Moorgas.
“This,” she told FTW, “coupled
with Aon being the largest broker
in the world, made it a logical
step. The branch had grown
exponentially and had achieved the
gravitas to offer such a service.”
Moorgas has been busy
implementing this strategy –
describing herself as “a dedicated
provider” of such a service – and
enhancing the national marine
offering, with marine expertise
also established in Johannesburg
and Cape Town.
“Marine insurance is a diverse,
exciting and challenging business
to be in,” she said, “yet so few
people choose to become involved.
“But the old guard is now
changing, and the young people –
who were once the trainees – are
becoming the market leaders,
some with exceptional skill
and knowledge.”
But marine insurance skills are
still in short supply, she added,
and it depends on those already in
the industry to create employment
opportunities and to provide the
necessary training for the
young people.
“As a client,” added David
Moriarty, Aon Durban branch
manager, “you should look for
a broker who is compliant with
and accredited by the Financial
Advisory and Intermediary
Services(FAIS); who understands
the workings of your business and
one that will add value to your
organisation.
With the introduction of new
insurance markets, the client will
find that the rates being obtained
are more competitive, he told
FTW, which means that it is still a
soft market.
“However, he said, “rates being
driven down may appear to be a
good thing for clients, but how
sustainable they are remains to
be seen.”