Who will do the housework if you have both arms in a cast? Who will remove the wasp nest plaguing your balcony? Who does the apple that fell off your neighbor's tree into your garden belong to? How can you provide for your grandchildren's future even after your death? Allianz has answers to these questions.
"We are more than just an insurer. We don't just reimburse our customers, we also solve their problems, because that is what they want us to do," said Norbert Fuchs, customer care representative at Allianz general agency Niemeier, who presented Allianz's product range at this year's General Meeting. "Many customers have already benefited from our Haus- und Wohnungsschutzbrief, a kind of emergency assistance cover for homeowners and renters, for example. All it takes is one call to us, and we alert our repair service, ensuring that problems such as a broken shower faucet or blocked drain are solved as swiftly as possible. As a result of their positive experiences with this insurance product, many of my customers are willing to recommend Allianz to their friends and colleagues," he continued.
"We are more than just an insurer"
More information about the AGM
Products for those aged 55 plus
Besides insurance policies with assistance add-ons, Allianz has also developed innovative products that combine more than just straightforward insurance: the Allianz EnkelPolice (Grandchildren’s Policy) for example, was launched in April 2007. With this policy, grandparents (and parents, god-parents, aunts and uncles) can provide comprehensively for the future of their grandchildren with one single product: the policy provides cover for illness, extended care and permanent disability after an accident, at the same time including an annuity that builds up capital for the child's education.
Another product for the over-55s is also being developed: "We will be offering a Schutzbrief55Plus as of July this year," announced CEO Michael Diekmann at the AGM. This is a new assistance package that combines aid, care and monetary benefits for seniors who want to be cared for professionally at home after an accident or illness, or if they apply for one of the long-term care levels defined by German law. "We are introducing this product because in many surveys people told us that the most important desire and goal for them personally was to remain independent, not be a burden on their families, and live at home for as long as possible," explains Diekmann.
A banking agency was erected especially for the 2007 AGM
One-stop financial advice
Another asset enabling Allianz agencies to offer comprehensive advice to their customers is a partnership with Dresdner Bank. This type of cooperation is unique in Germany, allowing customers at every single Allianz agency to obtain advice on the entire range of Dresdner Bank products.
The introduction of Allianz banking agencies in February 2007 has taken this partnership a step further. What makes these agencies special is the fact that they are simultaneously both an Allianz agency and a Dresdner Bank branch, offering all the products and services that go with that. During the pilot phase, the first 100 banking agencies will be established, but in the medium term, a total 1,000 banking agencies are planned for the whole of Germany. Allianz constructed a banking agency at the AGM especially for customers to visit.
"The wide variety of Allianz and Dresdner Bank products we're able to offer, makes it possible to provide our customers with comprehensive advice" said Jens-Christian Kuhn from Allianz general agency Schaible & Kuhn in Kornwestheim, which became one of the first banking agencies in February. "In the financial services industry, establishing a relationship based on mutual trust is extremely important, and together with our banking advisor Ms. Turi, we are able to provide a personalized response to our customers' questions and problems."
Christiane Turi adds that, "Personal service is extremely important to our customers. At the banking agency they are able to consult a Dresdner Bank advisor directly, and also have access to the bank's entire product range."
Allianz CEO Diekmann is optimistic that this concept will be a success: he is expecting Allianz agents to acquire their one millionth customer for Dresdner Bank during this year.
International financial services provider
There is no denying that Allianz has made the transition from insurer to international financial services provider: even just the conversion of the company into a European company, Allianz SE, symbolizes internationalization. The complete merger with subsidiaries RAS of Italy and AGF of France has/will also greatly simplify the structure of the Group.
Such unions enable the individual Group companies to profit more and more from the international network, which can now be optimally exploited thanks to close cooperation and best-practice sharing. An example of the potential synergies are the first cross-border European company pensions which benefit business customers and employees working in more than one European country. Also, the Allianz IndexPolice (index policy), a combined retirement plan and guarantee certificate modeled on the policy provided by Allianz Life in the US, is also now available in many European countries and demonstrates the company's spirit of international cooperation.
As with all content published on this site these statements are subject to our Forward Looking Statement disclaimer, provided on the right.