In what is a major achievement for the Truro-based insurer it means Cornish Mutual is the first mutual insurance company in the UK and the first South West business to achieve the highest level of recognition from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Cornish Mutual, which has around 24,000 Members across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, now joins just 15 other insurers which hold chartered status, including industry giants such as AXA Commercial, Zurich Insurance Plc and Allianz Insurance Plc.
Alan Goddard, Cornish Mutual’s managing director, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and one which everyone in the team can be very proud of.
“It sets Cornish Mutual apart from other insurers and demonstrates that the traditional values and commitment we have to the communities and members we serve is also underpinned by industry leading professionalism at a nationally recognised level.
“Our aim now is to make this a springboard for further development and success as we continue to grow our business with the clear vision of becoming the rural insurer of choice in the South West.”
Corporate ‘Chartered Insurer’ status is the gold standard for excellence and integrity for companies in the insurance industry and is granted by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). Businesses achieving chartered status have to show a company-wide commitment to the highest standards of professional practice, customer service and working in an ethical manner. A key element of the scheme is ensuring that chartered insurers have the well qualified, skilled staff required to deliver the highest quality service and to put clients’ interests at the heart of what they do.
Dr Alexander Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Insurance Institute, said: “We know from research that consumers value and trust the Chartered mark, in fact the public ranks Chartered number one in terms of confidence in terms of professionalism. The value of Chartered status comes from the very high levels of technical expertise it requires, coupled with a commitment to continuing professional development and a code of ethics. Cornish Mutual is to be congratulated on gaining the title of Chartered Insurer - it shows their commitment to putting clients’ interests at the heart of the services the firm offers.”
The award of Chartered status comes as Cornish Mutual’s commitment to customer service and staff training has been further recognised recently, with the company’s customer service training programme being shortlisted as a finalist in the national Customer Service Training Awards 2012. Winners are due to be announced on July 6 at a ceremony hosted by the Customer Service Training Network.
For more information about Cornish Mutual, visit www.cornishmutual.co.uk or call 01872 277151.
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