TELESURE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS: Proud Portfolio of Insurance Innovation

With origins dating back to 1985 and the launch of Auto & General Insurance into the South African market, TIH has since rapidly grown into a group of subsidiaries numbering some of South Africa’s most loved, recognisable and trusted brands. 1Life, 1st for Women, Budget Insurance and Dialdirect are just some of the names that feature among a star-studded lineup.

“We have a proud portfolio of innovative brands, each finding a better way to give their unique group of customers peace of mind,” TIH unpacks. “That’s why we exist – to continuously find better ways to give people peace of mind, whether it is to protect what they own, their loved ones or their greater ambitions and life plans they’re working so hard for.”

CREATING CHANGE

A pioneer known for its tireless bid to strive for the best, TIH brings customer-focused innovation and service excellence to the financial services industry. “We are an undivided team of diverse thinkers and doers who believe in leading through technology and pushing past their limits,” the company states. “Our innovations are inspired by understanding our customers and what is important to them. At TIH, innovation is at the heart of everything we do.”

A peerlessly wide range of products has thus been designed, according to TIH, to constantly meet the needs of diverse consumers with ever-changing requirements and expectations, with Auto & General having been there since the outset to take care of all of the insurance needs of every South African, from car and home to business and life insurance. “While we are a diverse, agile and evolving company,” it states, “constantly pursuing new ways to deliver on our customer’s changing needs, our commitment to service excellence remains constant, making us a leader in the South African insurance industry.

“We have built strong relationships with our brokers, small and large, who play a pivotal role in the growth of our business.”

Another mainstay of the TIH stable, since 1998 Budget Insurance has been providing the South African public with affordable cover centred around car, home and business insurance, “dedicated to helping every South African fit insurance into their budget and offer an array of insurance products to suit every pocket,” TIH explains.

A dedicated fleet of ‘Guardian Angels’, famed for having now helped tens of thousands of women, is behind First for Women Insurance, established in 2004 to pioneer the first ever offering in South Africa specifically designed for ladies. “This arose out of the discovery that even though more women were taking out their own insurance policies, there were no products designed to meet their needs at the time,” explains the trailblazer.

Beginning with vehicle insurance some 20 years ago, First for Women has since carefully crafted a range of women-centric non-life and life insurance policies to include car, home, buildings, business and life cover. “Our role is to offer women access to tailored insurance solutions that provide cover for their assets and personal items, and help them feel safe through extra support where needed,” the company explains, fast-becoming the insurer of choice for South African women. “Our approach is based on the understanding that South African women are powerful consumers and invaluable pillars in society.”

PREMIER PROVIDER

In 2003 came the introduction of Dialdirect, where clever thinking and smart innovation were brought together along with a “unique desire to cut out the middleman,” to induct a clear and simple insurance offering that South Africans could embrace for their valuables. “Little did we know that this would change the whole insurance industry,” Dialdirect beams, now headquartered in Johannesburg and housing nearly every kind of insurance product that could possibly be needed as a South African.

“Today, we’re still using new technology and pioneering innovative ways to take the unsure out of insurance, keep things simple and direct, and generally give you more.”

Acquired by TIH just last year, Renasa has, over more than 25 years, cemented its position as the preferred insurer servicing independent intermediaries. “Now with even more muscle, Renasa is the broker’s even better best friend, with a national footprint and industry-leading technology,” says the truly independent South African short-term insurance company.

Constantly bolstering, refreshing and improving the extent of its offering has resulted in ever-more clever thinking, smarter innovation and unrivalled service levels. More than this, it has been achieved throughout with recognition across several spheres, for numerous years running certified as a Top Employer in South Africa in the prestigious Top Employers Institute rankings.

In April, TIH was named among South Africa’s most popular vehicle insurance companies according to a survey conducted by MyBroadband, which asked readers about their vehicle insurance providers and preferences. The survey was completed by 1,863 respondents and revealed crucial insights into South Africa’s vehicle insurance industry.

“Telesure Investment Holdings earned third place across its five insurance companies: 1st for Women, Auto & General, Budget Insurance, Dialdirect and Renasa, an excellent result for Telesure as it is positioned as the leading contender insurance company in South Africa,” MyBroadband reported. 14% of respondents on the cusp of switching provider also named a Telesure insurance company as their preferred alternative, “another strong result for the contender and a good reflection on its brands,” MyBroadband concluded.

“We have challenged the insurance industry and have created change to give peace of mind,” TIH wraps up, with innovation embedded in the DNA of this diverse, agile and evolving company, constantly pursuing new ways to deliver on customers’ changing needs.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to solve old problems, with the ultimate purpose of providing peace of mind.”