Intact Insurance is embedding its "Risk Assist" platform across its commercial lines portfolio, positioning the tool as a standard feature to support brokers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in strengthening risk management and business resilience.
Risk Assist, which began life under the NIG brand, is being rolled out as an included benefit with all Intact commercial policies rather than as an optional add-on.
The move broadens access to structured, day-to-day risk management support for a wide range of policyholders, with a particular focus on SMEs that may lack in-house risk or HR expertise.
The service is intended to sit alongside Intact’s specialist risk consulting capability for more complex or higher‑hazard accounts, creating a tiered approach in which digital self‑service tools support the bulk of the book while traditional site surveys and consultancy are reserved for more demanding risks.
In a competitive market, where capacity is widely available and pricing pressure is a concern in some segments, the ability to offer year‑round risk support can help brokers demonstrate value beyond premium savings. Tools that help clients understand and actively manage their exposures also align with the broader regulatory emphasis on good customer outcomes and fair value, particularly for smaller firms that may be at greater risk of underinsurance or gaps in cover.
Risk Assist is designed to underpin more informed, risk‑led conversations with clients, rather than discussions focused solely on limits and price.
The platform targets common operational exposures – such as compliance, workforce issues, health and safety, driving risk and business continuity – while aiming not to add administrative burden for intermediaries.
The rollout of Risk Assist also comes against a backdrop of continued concern about SME resilience. Industry studies and trade bodies have repeatedly highlighted underinsurance and gaps in key covers such as business interruption and cyber, as well as the operational strain created by economic pressures and regulatory change.
Many smaller firms lack dedicated risk or HR teams, and often turn to brokers and insurers for practical guidance when incidents occur.
Included with all commercial policies, Risk Assist provides structured guidance across health and safety, HR, business continuity and driving risk. The platform is built around self‑assessment tools that generate prioritised action plans, supported by practical templates and policy documentation that businesses can adapt for their own use.
Accredited e‑learning modules allow staff training to be delivered and evidenced online, which may be relevant when firms need to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to manage certain risks. An “Ask the Expert” function offers access to HR and health and safety specialists for more specific queries, providing a route for businesses to seek clarification without commissioning bespoke consultancy.
“Risk Assist brings a consistent approach to risk management support across Intact Insurance and allows us to scale practical risk support across our portfolio in a way that works for both brokers and their customers," said Tovah Grosscurth, managing director, commercial lines at Intact Insurance.
Scalable risk services of this kind are increasingly seen as part of a broader toolkit for improving portfolio performance.
As inflation, supply‑chain disruption and changing work patterns complicate loss trends in lines such as property, casualty and motor, insurers are looking for ways to influence client behaviour and resilience rather than relying solely on pricing or coverage adjustments.
