12.11.07 MCE Insurance, glamour at the Classic Motor Show
Northamptonshire based MCE Insurance, niche insurance specialist for classic cars added glamour to the 2007 Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham.
30.10.07 MCE Insurance Great Balloon Race
A youngster who entered the MCE Insurance Great Balloon Race has scooped a brand new iPod Nano after his balloon travelled 843 miles to Marseille in France.
31.08.07 The MCE Insurance Parade of Power
MCE Insurance were recently proud sponsors of a unique event; The International Parade of Power. The event is the pre race celebration for the FIA European Drag Racing Championships, held at the World Famous Santa Pod Raceway. MCE Insurance, working in conjunction with Wellingborough Town Centre Partnership closed the roads of Wellingborough to allow a rolling parade of Drag cars and bikes to lap the town centre.
08.08.07 MCE Insurance FC look for first season win
The newly created MCE Insurance FC are looking to create a storm in their first season. The team are joining the home of grass roots football, Rushden and District Sunday League in Northamptonshire.
02.08.07 MCE Insurance new deals for young drivers and high value cars
American car insurance specialist MCE Insurance have received a significant increase in enquiries from readers asking for cover for drivers aged 21+ and vehicles valued at £40,000+. After a review of the market MCE Insurance identified there was a gap for younger enthusiasts and those looking to insure high value American cars.
23.07.07 Karen and Alisha Cook 'race for you' Race for Life
On Sunday 22nd July MCE’s Training Manager Karen Cook and her daughter Alisha inspired an MCE team to put on their trainers to raise money for cancer research.
18.07.07 MCE Insurance scoop top two awards
Northamptonshire based MCE Insurance has scooped two of the insurance professions most prestigious awards at a ceremony in Birmingham. MCE Insurance has picked up The Insurance Times awards for Fastest Growing Broker and Most Efficient Broker.
03.07.07 MCE Insurance sponsor Mossy
Bike insurance specialists, MCE are sponsoring renowned motorcycle journalist Chris ‘Mossy’ Moss for the 2007 / 2008 season.
25.06.07 Modified or high value bike? Let MCE do the deal!
MCE, renowned for market leading insurance rates on standard bikes, are now attacking the high value and specialist bike market to bring the MCE philosophy of ‘Insurance made easy’ to the higher end of the market.
18.06.07 AJS appoint MCE as insurance partner’
AJS Motorcycles Ltd has appointed MCE to provide their insurance and breakdown recovery scheme.
07.06.07 Aggregation acceleration
Websites offering price comparisons - otherwise known as aggregator websites - are rapidly gaining popularity with the public. Indeed, last month market leader Confused.com was linked with a £700m trade sale. Miles Stone looks at the implications and challenges for both brokers and consumers
02.05.07 MCE Launches New Interactive Website with Open GI
Broker, MCE, has launched a new fully interactive e-commerce site for private car and motorcycle insurance using Open GI’s new complete web design and hosting / integration solution.
01.05.07 Ground breaking Quad Insurance from MCE
MCE, the Wellingborough based insurance specialists, can now offer specialised insurance for road legal quads, without the restrictions normally associated with this type of vehicle.
18.04.07 MCE rewrites the rules for 125cc Insurance
Motorcycle insurance specialists MCE, have today launched the market leading insurance scheme for 125cc motorcycles.
27.03.07 Broker builds business with Equity Alliance
Equity Red Star had strengthened its ten-year strategic partnership with MCE Insurance by tailoring the products it provides to the broker.
05.03.07 Record growth at MCE leads to new role
After a record breaking 2006 MCE, one of the top 3 motorcycle insurance providers in the UK, has appointed Dave Plummer as Sales & Marketing Manager for the company’s affinity activities.
12.11.07
MCE Insurance, glamour at the Classic Motor Show
Northamptonshire based MCE Insurance, niche insurance specialist for classic cars added glamour to the 2007 Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham.
MCE Insurance who arrange cover for over 100,000 vehicles exhibited at the show from 9th November to 11th November 2007, offering quotes and expert advice to over 80,000 visitors. As the UK's largest provider of American car insurance the company decided to add show glamour and recruited the MCE Corvette Girls.
Hallam Knapp, Specialist Vehicle Manager at MCE Insurance added: 'The show has been a huge success. We have been meeting existing and new clients to understand what they want from their insurance, and even though the MCE Corvette Girls were unable to offer expert advice they proved more popular than me!'
30.10.07
MCE Insurance Great Balloon Race
A youngster who entered the MCE Insurance Great Balloon Race has scooped a brand new iPod Nano after his balloon travelled 843 miles to Marseille in France.
Luke Rollings, 14, of Rushden Northamptonshire entered the race at the MCE Insurance sponsored Parade of Power event in Wellingborough.
The young rock music enthusiast not only beat off competition from 500 other entrants but also from his mum Debbie, dad Terry and sister Emma, who also took part in the event.
Luke said: ‘I cannot believe how far my balloon went and I never expected to win this competition, but it is amazing my balloon went to Marseille and I am really pleased with my iPod.
The MCE Insurance Parade of Power attracted a record 10,000 people this year as dragsters, modified and race cars completed five laps of Wellingborough town centre in August. MCE Insurance Director, Julian Edwards said: ‘I could not believe it when we received a balloon back from Marseille, but then we received even more from around that area. We had a total of nine from France and Belgium.
31.08.07
The MCE Insurance Parade of Power
MCE Insurance were recently proud sponsors of a unique event; The International Parade of Power. The event is the pre race celebration for the FIA European Drag Racing Championships, held at the World Famous Santa Pod Raceway. MCE Insurance, working in conjunction with Wellingborough Town Centre.
Partnership closed the roads of Wellingborough to allow a rolling parade of Drag cars and bikes to lap the town centre. As well as the rolling display, on show was an awesome 8000 bhp Top Fuel Dragster, the Fireforce 3 Jet Car with speeds in excess of 300 mph and Santa Pods own monster truck Podzilla which can crush anything in its way from cars to caravans.
One of the evening highlights was the MCE Insurance Great Balloon race, where 500 people took part to see if their balloon would travel the furthest to win an ipod nano. The winner will be announced 30th September.
The 2007 International Parade of Power was a huge success; people are already looking forward to 2008!
08.08.07
MCE Insurance FC look for first season win
The newly created MCE Insurance FC are looking to create a storm in their first season. The team are joining the home of grass roots football, Rushden and District Sunday League in Northamptonshire.
The team is the brainchild of top MCE insurance advisor, Stuart Gardener who commented ‘The team have been playing together for a couple of years. After winning the various insurance championships include The Post Magazine tournament, we decided it was time to take on the cream of Northamptonshire. We are confident of an excellent season and promotion should be on the cards!’
‘If any of our business partners or friends would like a game just give me a call on 0870 90 90 911.'
02.08.07
MCE Insurance new deals for young drivers and high value cars
American car insurance specialist MCE Insurance have received a significant increase in enquiries from readers asking for cover for drivers aged 21+ and vehicles valued at £40,000+. After a review of the market MCE Insurance identified there was a gap for younger enthusiasts and those looking to insure high value American cars.
Julian Edwards, Director of MCE commented ‘We will always find an insurance solution for American car enthusiasts, but we wanted to go one stage further and make insurance easy. We are delighted to provide ‘real time’ affordable quotes to any driver aged over 21. We are also delighted to confirm our standard car value has increased to £45,000. It’s the feedback from clients that allows us to provide innovative solutions.’
For a quote or more information the MCE Insurance team are happy to help, just call 0870 90 90 911. All MCE Insurance policies come with breakdown recovery as standard.
23.07.07
Karen and Alisha Cook 'race for you' Race for Life
Since it started in 1994, Race for Life has grown to become the UK’s biggest women-only fundraising event. All the money raised by our participants helps fund the crucial work of Cancer Research UK – the world’s leading independent organization dedicated to cancer research.
So far, over two million women of all ages have run, walked or jogged to raise over £140 million in sponsorship for the charity. This year we hope to raise £60 million for our life-saving work by bringing an amazing 800,000 women together to raise money for Cancer Research UK
On Sunday 22nd July MCE’s Training Manager Karen Cook and her daughter Alisha inspired an MCE team to put on their trainers to raise money for cancer research. The medal winning times were:
Karen Cook 55mins
Alisha Cook 55mins
Suzy Johnstone-Smith 28mins
Nadine Stevenson 28mins
Stephanie Brown 20mins
Beckie Martin 50mins
18.07.07
MCE Insurance scoop top two awards
Northamptonshire based MCE Insurance has scooped two of the insurance professions most prestigious awards at a ceremony in Birmingham. MCE Insurance has picked up The Insurance Times awards for Fastest Growing Broker and Most Efficient Broker.
The 115 strong team arrange insurance for 10% motorcyclists in one of the UK’s most hi-tech environments. Over the past twelve months MCE Insurance has been focusing on a strategy of organic growth with new distribution including affiliate partners such as Peugeot and a market leading e-commerce solution. In addition to this MCE have also been using the efficiencies of a robust IT platform to drive down costs.
Michael Edwads, Managing Director of MCE commented ‘Winning these awards is down to our talented team who are not only excellent at securing the business, but who also provide world class customer contact.
We are now the largest independent insurance broker from Manchester to London. With so many brokers being purchased by faceless conglomerates MCE Insurance offers a different experience to both customers and employees. We aim to continue to provide opportunities to people in Northamptonshire by creating 75 new positions in 2008.’
Established in 1975 MCE Insurance arranges cover for motorcycles, cars, taxi’s, home and commercial vehicles. There team are available from 9 am - 8 pm, seven days a week including bank holidays on 0870 90 90 911, or online: www.mceinsurance.com .
03.07.07
MCE Insurance sponsor Mossy
Bike insurance specialists, MCE are sponsoring renowned motorcycle journalist Chris ‘Mossy’ Moss for the 2007 / 2008 season.
‘Mossy’, who writes for Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, Superbike magazine and the high traffic Crash.net website, has a long term loan Suzuki V-Strom 650 provided by www.suzuki-gb.co.uk and insurance provided by MCE.
25.06.07
Modified or high value bike? Let MCE do the deal!
MCE, renowned for market leading insurance rates on standard bikes, are now attacking the high value and specialist bike market to bring the MCE philosophy of ‘Insurance made easy’ to the higher end of the market.
Traditionally, customers with heavily modified or high value bikes have struggled to find insurance at competitive rates, leading a percentage of riders to either not declare the modifications or to under value the bike.
However, with the recent changes at MCE this should no longer be the case. Already able to easily quote on new models that don’t yet appear on the ABI database, MCE have now further expanded their specialist team to enable greater concentration on non standard or high value bikes.
Julian Edwards, MCE Director said ‘We already have the expertise of providing great deals on insurance for high value exotica as providers of MV Agusta Insurance. Internal reorganisation has allowed us to increase the resources available to this specialised area. Whether it’s a high value production bike such as an F4 1000CC, a hand built turbo charged Hayabusa or a fully dressed Harley, we have the ability to provide the best insurance deal on the market.’
Now one of the top three motorcycle insurance providers in the UK, MCE provide insurance for all types of scooters and motorcycles either by telephone on 0870 01 01 125 or from their newly re launched, fully interactive website www.mceinsurance.com.
18.06.07
AJS appoint MCE as insurance partner
AJS Motorcycles Ltd has appointed MCE to provide their insurance and breakdown recovery scheme.
Andover based AJS, distributes a range of 50 - 250cc bikes through a network of 40 dealers nationwide and have partnered with MCE to provide complimentary roadside assistance on all new bikes sold via their authorised dealer network.
Nick Brown, MD of AJS said ‘The introduction of the free roadside assistance package on all AJS motorcycles adds value to the brand for dealers and end users alike. MCE have provided us with a complete managed solution which enables us to focus on developing our core business whilst MCE help the dealers to retail more bikes’.
The AJS roadside assistance scheme is administered entirely by MCE on behalf of AJS and provides the AJS owner with 24/7 cover in the unlikely event of a technical problem, throughout mainland UK and Northern Ireland.
Additionally MCE will operate as the preferred insurer for AJS, offering market leading rates on the whole product range, serviced by the dedicated MCE Dealer Support Team.
For further information on the AJS product range please contact Nick Brown at AJS on 01264 710074 or visit www.ajsmotorcycles.co.uk
07.06.07
Aggregation acceleration
Websites offering price comparisons - otherwise known as aggregator websites - are rapidly gaining popularity with the public. Indeed, last month market leader Confused.com was linked with a £700m trade sale. Miles Stone looks at the implications and challenges for both brokers and consumers
Comparison or aggregator websites are having an enormous impact on the marketing of personal lines insurances. Survey after survey confirms extensive and significant growth in the use of these sites by the UK's burgeoning community of online shoppers. And leading insurers and super brokers have been jostling to win prime on-screen listings for their products.
The aggregators are also surrounded by controversy. Many intermediaries outside the tiny super league - the high-street businesses or specialist motor brokers - are understandably concerned by what seems yet another threat to their existence.
They also tend to be bitter that the undeniable attractions of leading sites such as Confused.com or Moneysupermarket.com - their easy accessibility, speedy results and, particularly, a focus on rock-bottom premiums - are an unwelcome distortion of the professional insurance advice customers really need. Moreover, large numbers of consumers would agree with them that price comparison is by no means the same as product comparison, and customers can be misled despite the convenience of the service.
Seismic implications
The massive growth of online activity has indeed had seismic strategic implications for all in the industry, but brokers should not feel singled out once more for a kicking by the cut-price, volume-chasing big battalions. Aggregators can offer a powerful tool in a new environment of opportunity, and a growing number of forward-looking broking firms are gearing up to the challenge.
Research organisation Foolproof conducted an online shopping study in 2006, which showed that 69% of all online shoppers used a comparison or aggregator site in their search for a motor or home insurance policy. People want to avoid trawling through the many individual insurance sites, whether they are a supermarket brand, direct insurer or broker. Over 80% of those surveyed use the internet as the primary source of insurance information, and 28% of shoppers' time online was shown to be spent on aggregator sites - a massive growth from the 5% spent in 2005.
With shopping also comes buying. Consumers - not only the young and the technophiles, but also increasingly the huge 'grey' market - see the benefits of avoiding long, frustrating phone calls for quotes, and of proceeding to insure online. Two-thirds of those surveyed by Foolproof planned to buy their next motor insurance policy online, compared with 32% who currently do so. The study predicted that, at this rate, 82% of insurance products are expected to be purchased online by 2016.
As aggregator sites grow in number, it is mainly at the expense of direct web channels, which, ironically, tend to ask fewer questions of the customer and give more accurate quotes. The Foolproof study also shows that the average quotation from Confused.com took 13 minutes to complete, which is way off the standard set by direct insurers or large brokers. Only three brands - Tesco, Norwich Union and Direct Line - were sought out by consumers directly in the study, illustrating the measure of brand power required to counter the risky odds of the comparison route.
Visibility on both search engines and aggregator sites is of major importance for insurance providers that see the new sites as an attractive alternative to traditional advertising and costly brand promotion. Pay-per-click routes arguably offer fast and tangible measures of performance, and the sites provides an open door to the savings from increasing e-commerce - first motor, then increasingly household and small business cover.
Pros and cons
The public's appetite for easy price comparison is, however, tempered by a healthy scepticism by some users over 'what you see not being what you get'. There is little doubt that, in their present form, the information on the sites sometimes causes confusion. People looking for a good motor or home insurance deal can find that the best price displayed is misleading, as there is often various conditions attached to it. In order to appear at the top of the aggregator lists, some providers strip the cover of benefits and assume a high excess simply to display a low premium.
Iain Hatfield, chief executive officer of Blyth Valley Insurance Brokers, which maintains a range of specialist websites catering to the small to medium-sized enterprise market, is critical that, to date, aggregators have delivered comparative prices, then provided a link to the site of the chosen vendor. "They don't provide essential policy information upfront and support this with advice at the end of a phone," he says. "Who helps customers identify areas they should be thinking about insuring, or explains how the cover works?"
He resents the power of the web aggregators, which illustrate "the insurance industry's blinkered approach to providing insurance as a commodity product sold only on price".
Shona Robertson, director of motorcycle market specialists H and R Insurance, says that since using comparison sites for the first time 18 months ago, business introduced through this route has risen to represent 70% of total business. However, she is far from blinkered to aggregators' shortcomings, citing the practice where, once the customer data is loaded and accessible, there can be a free-for-all among providers offline to offer the policyholder the lowest rate, thus contributing to a downward spiral in premiums and commission earnings.
Despite some spirited efforts by providers like NU to stiffen rates, declining loyalty levels in online markets (as well as relatively lower renewal rates) make these measures less influential than in the past.
Ms Robertson points out that aggregators alter the normal client relationship in that it is the site that owns the captured client data, and will almost certainly mail the customer regularly to revisit the site.
What impact the emergence of comparison sites will have upon the broking community remains to be seen. Many firms have been slow to react because they believe that their business model - local strength, niche or commercial bias - will not be challenged by the impact aggregation is having on personal lines. In any case how can they hope to compete on equal terms?
Broker impact
Extreme predictions foretell the dominance of the aggregator market by a handful of super league, big brand players with limitless marketing budgets and scalable operations - a 'dictatorship' of high volume and low price. Fortunately, customer needs and preferences are not so easily dictated to.
It is inevitable that aggregator sites will not always have all the necessary information required by some specialist and niche brokers, although obviously they can work satisfactorily for customers with standard insurance needs. In this case, there will be a proportion of customers that will go directly to the niche broker to obtain quotations or else the intermediary can target risks from the large volumes of un-quoted proposals the system produces. This is provided, of course, that they have suitable web capability.
Rick Slater, general manager at intermediary software specialists CDL, explains: "While there is an argument that niche providers would be poorly served by the transparent, 'commoditised' environment in which many comparison sites operate, there is no reason why the aggregators' model should not adjust in time to accommodate a wider range of niche products.
"There is also much to be said for the 'democracy' of the media, which allows the smallest player to associate with the industry's most powerful brands on the same web page."
There are clear signs that this is in fact the case. The aggregator model is set on a road of continuous change to meet wider customer needs and, at the same time, many intermediaries are reviewing their proposition to offer compatible solutions.
A pioneer in aggregator developments who helped set up one of the first aggregators - Confused.com - Hayley Parsons (now managing director at Go Compare) confirms that the company works extensively with niche brokers. The service features extended quote criteria and call-centre advisory support to enhance customer awareness and choice.
Ms Parsons believes that in the past, the leading aggregators have been slow to respond to customer needs. She blames legacy IT issues involving the need to connect the systems messaging format from the old screenscaping to back-office to back-office, e-commerce friendly XML and a little "arrogance".
Response to pressure
Whatever the case, aggregators are beginning to respond to pressure. Peter Gerrard, sales manager, Moneysupermarket.com, confirms that the site, which introduced XML at the beginning of the year, is adding as many as 15 additional questions to its quotation format from this month, as well as offering customers telephone advice where required.
Imperatives of price and speed have not been overlooked by the growing aggregator sector, however. Since March, Only Insurance, from the financial services aggregator Only Group, has built a 35-strong panel of providers offering motor, home and travel cover and, latterly, private medical insurance quotations with a two-minute time guarantee - achieved by providing quotes direct rather than via a click-through link.
Many intermediaries are already developing major opportunities by committing themselves to a successful role in these new conditions. Personal lines broker MCE Insurance recently launched a fully interactive e-commerce site for private motor and motorcycle business. The operation works alongside an existing busy call centre.
Director Julian Edwards explains that in addition to providing service 24/7 and ensuring the latest rates are installed on the web server, the new £100,000 cost centre, which is managed by trained staff, is able to target new areas of the market, such as a growing sector of 'non-enthusiast' motorcycle users. He says the new site is quick to use and easy to navigate, with good facilities for incepting and amending policies, and aims to provide online renewals to cut costs even further.
Mr Edwards explains: "MCE Insurance is very much a marketing-driven operation and our online presence represents a major distribution channel. We expect the site to contribute as much as 50% of the company's new business in 2008. He adds: "Web trading should not be approached by brokers as just a complement to their existing business. Build a dedicated team with adequate resources. Set strategic goals and employ proven technology that can deliver integrated solutions."
Intermediary Budget Insurance has embraced the opportunities from comparison sites - with comparethemarket.com - without losing sight of the need to bring something attractive to the table. Its director, Matthew Donaldson, believes that for brokers the challenge does not end with capable IT. They must make a number of pressured decisions to reassess their proposition, aim to add value and compete successfully.
He believes brokers can gain confidence in the media through dealing with more complex products than have been marketed online to date - in home covers and smaller commercial packages, particularly. He suggests that aggregator models are maturing, and perhaps changing to brokers' advantage. Internet acquisition costs for providers are likely to rise at the same time.
The experience of rapid technological change within the industry shows existing models tend to transmute rather than destruct. Increasingly, insurance customers will enjoy multi-route, multi-media access to quotation, purchase and service. Some will prefer online communications; others, face-to-face interaction. Admittedly, opportunities for the latter have diminished dramatically over the last 20 years, but resurgence is not unthinkable. Customers need change.
Many brokers, concerned that their business models cannot survive the radical changes taking place or that their IT cannot hack it, could focus more on their managerial flexibility and thus still have a valid place in the aggregator world.
02.05.07
MCE Launches New Interactive Website with Open GI
Broker, MCE, has launched a new fully interactive e-commerce site for private car and motorcycle insurance using Open GI’s new complete web design and hosting / integration solution.
The site - www.mceinsurance.com - has been built using Open GI’s e-Quotes and XML technology providing aggregator linkage. MCE’s web development team designed the look and feel of the site. Open GI’s web development team managed the entire integration process from developing data capture, to co-ordinating web hosting agreements and ensuring latest rates are installed on the web server.
Consumers are able to access the site 24 hours a day and are met with a fully interactive online quote and payment facility for a wide range of standard and non-standard private car and motorcycle insurance. For example, pizza delivery vehicles and scooters are included, as well as modified and classic cars.
MCE is the first broker to go live with Open GI’s new web design and hosting solution with many other firms under contract and soon to launch.
According to MCE Director, Julian Edwards, the new site provides a major distribution channel and is expected to contribute to 50% of MCE’s new business in 2008. He said: “Internet projects are extremely technical so you need a good level of support, particularly when it comes to web integration. With the new service from Open GI they organise everything so you can get on with the core task of selling insurance.
“We wanted the equivalent of the easyJet website for car and motorcycle insurance i.e. a quick to use, easy to navigate site with good facilities for incepting and amending policies. Working in partnership with Open GI has allowed us to achieve what is a robust and fully interactive e-commerce solution for our customers. We have been particularly impressed with the input and dedication of Open GI’s web development team.
“The fact that the site has the ability to link to aggregators and is fully hosted by Open GI is extremely important as it needs to be available around the clock as all sites works 24/7.”
Simon Hughes, Sales and Marketing Director, Open GI, said: “The number of brokers engaging with the Internet as a business channel has increased dramatically over the past 12 to 18 months and therefore we took the decision to extend our e-commerce offerings.
“Setting up a one stop solution made sense as we have the expertise in house and the level of technology to integrate with aggregators and to offer hosting. Brokers often do not have the time to focus on the intricacies of web development, they simply want to be able to trade online. Working in close partnership with MCE has proved extremely successful and we expect the demand for our new solution to continue to increase. E-commerce is a key area for Open GI now and well into the foreseeable future.”
01.05.07
Ground breaking Quad Insurance from MCE
MCE, the Wellingborough based insurance specialists, can now offer specialised insurance for road legal quads, without the restrictions normally associated with this type of vehicle.
The MCE Quad scheme offers cover for riders aged 19 years and up, for mainland UK and Northern Ireland and can even cover those customers without a garage.
The road legal Quad market in the UK continues to grow but many potential customers find it difficult to obtain insurance cover, especially for younger riders or for higher value machines. MCE has looked at the market and working closely with our partners have put together a scheme that can provide cover for Quad purchasers at market leading rates that includes the option for commuting or business use cover with no security requirements.
Dave Plummer of MCE said ‘We are constantly evolving our product range to suit the needs of the market. With the new Quad scheme we believe we can help dealers retail more units by removing one of the major obstacles faced until now – insurance that was difficult or expensive to find’.
MCE specialise in the motorcycle industry and are now one of the three largest motorcycle insurance providers in the UK. To better serve the UK dealer network, MCE have recently expanded their Dealer Support Team with additional staff and resources, with the aim of becoming the preferred partner of motorcycle dealers nationwide. MCE are open 7 days a week including Bank Holidays.
Any dealers wishing to partner with MCE for 2007 should contact Dave Plummer, Sales & Marketing Manager – Affinities on 07855 787152 or via e mail to dave.plummer@mceinsurance.com
18.04.07
MCE rewrites the rules for 125cc Insurance
Motorcycle insurance specialists MCE, have today launched the market leading insurance scheme for 125cc motorcycles.
After several months of careful planning, MCE can now offer unbeatable insurance deals for riders of 125cc bikes aged 17 years+ in any area of the UK, including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Northern Ireland.
The continued growth of the 125cc market is critical to the future of motorcycling in the UK and with average motorcycle prices in this sector decreasing in recent times, insurance prices are becoming a more significant part of the overall purchase cost to new riders. With the introduction of this ground breaking scheme, MCE can now help dealers nationwide to increase their sales in this critical sector.
Dave Plummer of MCE said ‘We are confident of not only delivering the best 125cc insurance scheme to UK dealers but of providing a first class customer experience. The rates on this new 125cc scheme are so good in certain cases we could even beat some of the rates being offered by a manufacturers’ own scheme. Just call our dedicated Dealer Support Team on 0870 0101 125 to test our rates and increase your 125cc sales’.
MCE specialise in the motorcycle industry and are now one of the three largest motorcycle insurance providers in the UK. To better serve the UK dealer network, MCE have recently expanded their Dealer Support Team with additional staff and resources, with the aim of becoming the preferred partner of motorcycle dealers nationwide.
Any dealers wishing to partner with MCE for 2007 should contact Dave Plummer, Sales & Marketing Manager – Affinities on 07855 787152 or via e mail to dave.plummer@mceinsurance.com
27.03.07
Broker builds business with Equity Alliance
Equity Red Star had strengthened its ten-year strategic partnership with MCE Insurance by tailoring the products it provides to the broker.
Northamptonshire based MCE Insurance has extended its range of ERS classes to include breakdown recovery insurance for motorcycles, taxis, commercial vehicles and specialist cars. MCE will provide mandatory breakdown recovery to its 90,000 clients.
David Grant, ERS Head of Sales & Marketing said: “The provision of car and bike breakdown cover will allow MCE to offer a more comprehensive service to its rapidly expanding customer base.”
MCE director, Julian Edwards added: “Equity’s growing product range will deliver long term benefits for us, especially in terms of developing our book of bike and specialist car business. As an independent broker, the alliance with ERS provides greater stability in this highly competitive market.”
05.03.07
Record growth at MCE leads to new role
After a record breaking 2006 MCE, one of the top 3 motorcycle insurance providers in the UK, has appointed Dave Plummer as Sales & Marketing Manager for the company’s affinity activities.
Dave, who brings with him over 20 years of motorcycle trade experience, having held senior positions with Kawasaki, Ducati and KTM, will be responsible for maintaining and developing strategic partnerships between MCE and motorcycle dealers and manufacturers alike.
Plummer said ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a dynamic company, with clearly defined aims for the future. The product set available from MCE is outstanding, the company has experienced growth of over 30% in 2006 and as a result is now ready to focus further on the trade activities and partners. My role is to bring the affinity business into line with the dramatic retail growth and to further develop relationships within the motorcycle and related industries’.
Based in Wellingborough, Northants MCE currently provides branded insurance schemes for Peugeot, Kymco, Cagiva, MV Agusta and Husqvarna in addition to operating MCE branded schemes for scooter, motorcycle and quads.
Dave can be contacted on 0870 460 6427 / 07855 787152 or via e mail to dave.plummer@mceinsurance.com.