Brokers turn to insurtech to solve pandemic related challenges
Insurtech platform sees potential for growth amid hardening insurance market
BizCover is an Australian online insurance service, which focuses on providing insurance cover to small businesses across Australia and New Zealand.
It was founded in 2008 by Michael Gottlieb, who saw how difficult it was for small businesses in Australia to get the right insurance coverage. According to Gottlieb, he and his co-founders (who are small business owners themselves) wanted to give small businesses a fair chance in the industry, which was dominated by large companies, complicated paperwork, poor service, and lack of transparency.
The company runs an online service that allows small business owner to compare and buy insurance policies from up to eight leading insurers in Australia, with a simplified process without redundant paperwork. It caters to over 6,000 professions, such as personal trainers, tradies, real estate agents, and dressmakers. It provides public liability, professional indemnity, and business insurance and has over 150,000 small businesses insured on the platform in Australia.
According to Gottlieb, BizCover targets “the growing number of SMEs that want to self-serve their insurance needs,” especially those with “relatively standard insurance needs and a minimum of tailoring.”
2008: BizCover founded
2012: BizCover partners with Woodruff-Sawyer to expand in the US with BizInsure
2013: Listed by the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards as one of Australia’s fastest growing technology companies
2016: BizCover launches Chinese version of website – an industry first
2016: Premium increase is ‘great news’ for brokers
2016: BizCover introduces ‘stolen lunch’ cover
2016: Innovative broker BizCover announces major retailer deal
2016: BizCover pricing index reveals two ‘standout’ markets
2016: BizCover and Choosi announce partnership for business insurance
2017: Won the Small Business Award for Business Excellence at the Australian Multicultural Marketing Awards
2017: BizCover partners with Comparethemarket.com.au for business insurance
2018: Michael Gottlieb makes Insurance Business Hot List
2019: BizCover partners with iSelect for business insurance
2019: BizCover partners with Qantas Business Rewards
2020: AUB Group acquired a 40% stake in BizCover
BizCover took first place in Insurance Business’s Top 10 Brokerages for 2014, 2016 and 2017, and second place in 2015.
Type of service: Online, small business
Service areas: professional indemnity insurance, public liability insurance, business insurance, cyber liability insurance, management liability insurance, tax audit insurance
Headquarters: Sydney, NSW
Employees: 175+
Michael Gottlieb – founder and CEO
Coming from a management consultancy background, Gottlieb entered insurance in 2001 by co-founding Mega Capital. Both Mega Capital and BizCover have consistently won accolades from Insurance Business over the past few years.
Brad Miller – General Manager
Brad co-founded BizCover with Michael and spearheaded the technical development of the BizCover platform. He is responsible for driving the technical and operational areas of the business.
Holly Williams – Customer value manager
Holly joined BizCover after six years in general insurance. She is responsible for driving initiatives that ensure BizCover’s customer centricity, as well as managing a team across multiple functions of the business. She was nominated as one of Insurance Business Australia’s Young Guns 2017.
Daniel Quinn – Head of Sales
Dan joined BizCover in 2017, after several years at A-Plan insurance in the United Kingdom. He currently leads a team of over 40 sales and retention specialists to drive new business growth and client retention for the business. He was nominated as one of the Insurance Business Australia’s Young Guns 2019.
Culture
BizCover established the BizGiver programme in 2014 as a way of giving back to the small businesses that fuel the Australian economy. Each quarter, BizCover will grant the wish of one small business with a $2,000 grant, which can help start a new revenue stream or purchase equipment to boost the business. Since launch, BizGiver has given away over $40,000 in prizes including SEO packages, advertising, hardware and equipment, and training courses.
The company also runs the BizWitty blog, which contains helpful information for small businesses. It offers guides and tips about marketing, financial management, human resources, and other vital areas for businesses.
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