How long has Towergate been around?

Towergate began its journey in 1997, and since then we have acquired over 300 specialist insurance companies that make us who we are today. Whilst Towergate may have only recently celebrated its 20th birthday, many of the companies we acquired have long and rich histories that continue to provide expertise and customer service. For instance, our medical insurance team can trace itself back over 100 years!

If you’re so big, why haven’t I heard of you?

As a broker, we tend to be a little more “behind the scenes” than the insurance companies you see advertised on the TV. However, we do work with many of the companies you have heard of such as Axa, RSA and Aviva to draw up policies suitable for insuring the items and businesses we specialise in. Sometimes, we’ll go out to more than one of these insurers to find you the appropriate cover at a price that’s right for you.

What do you mean by “specialist” policies?

We mean we provide cover beyond regular home, car and travel insurance. We can still do those things but we also go above and beyond to provide cover to people with special requirements. For example, there are many houses in the UK which require specialist insurance because they feature an unusual construction or they’re in a high risk area. Many insurers won’t provide cover at all for these types of property at all but we’ve sought out policies designed to provide cover and therefore a comfort buffer for at-risk home owners such as those living on a flood plain.

What is a broker and how do you provide your policies?

Typically, a broker will take your requirements and source the right policy from an insurer. With some of our products, we’ll do just that (sometimes using a panel of insurers approved by us). With other products however, we’ll work with a particular insurer who will provide a policy which we’re confident is best for a particular purpose.

Who works for you?

We employ over 4,000 staff nationwide. Our advisers are trained extensively so that they can advise you on what sort of cover is suitable for you. Even our staff who aren’t customer facing are required to test themselves periodically on the rules and regulations surrounding insurance. Our advisers also tend to be knowledgeable and involved in the worlds in which they work. For example, our marine insurance team spend a day with the Royal Yachting Association to understand the differences between different types of craft and understand what each one may be used for and even which components may be at risk of damage.

Who works with you?

In addition to working with some of the largest insurers in the UK and worldwide, we also work with nearly 100 industry associations and partners to better understand your needs and how we can provide policies that really work for you. To name just a few, we have strong relationships with the British Independent Retailers Association, Care England, Team Army UK and The Fostering Network.