Zurich praised for customer focus and top rated car insurance products

- Defaqto awards 5 star rating for Zurich's Car Solutions policy
- Dunnhumby report places Zurich second for Customer Centricity

7 December 2006

Zurich, one of the UK's biggest car insurance providers, has been independently praised by two companies.

Defaqto, the independent product research organisation, has again awarded Zurich's Car Solutions the highest possible rating of 5 stars, ranking it among the top 10 per cent of car insurance policies available in the UK. Since it was introduced, Defaqto's star rating system has gained increasing recognition across the insurance industry and is the only system to comprehensively measure product quality across a broad range of factors.

Dunnhumby, one of the country's leading providers of analytical services, has praised Zurich as having industry-leading customer focus. The study of over 1,300 consumers looked into how they feel that major companies and brands meet their individual needs - a phrase described as 'customer centricity'. Zurich emerged as the top motor insurance company, and finished second in the overall list behind the Nationwide bank. Zurich received particularly high rankings relating to our marketing literature and the helpfulness of our staff.

The study praises Zurich as 'a mature player in the market who clearly understands the business benefits of being customer focussed' and therefore one of 'the leading practitioners of customer centricity.' 

Mark Searles, UK Marketing Director said, 'We're delighted to have received this independent recognition by two leading companies. We are committed to putting customers at the heart of what we do and we will continue to put the focus on providing them with top quality products and services.'

Notes to editors

Dunnhumby
The Customer Centricity report can be accessed at: http://www.dunnhumby.com

Defaqto
Defaqto is an independent financial research company which compiles databases of personal financial products for use by the financial services industry. Defaqto also publishes detailed market reports on a wide range of financial markets. Defaqto's core product is the Aequos Online database covering life, pensions, investment, banking and general insurance and the company has recently launched Aequos Engage, an online adviser-dedicated product search engine.

Zurich Financial Services
Zurich Financial Services is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network that focuses its activities on its key markets in North America and Europe. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich has offices in more than 50 countries and employs about 57,000 people.

Further information regarding Zurich insurance products (including summaries of cover and full policy wordings) can be found on www.zurichinsurance.co.uk

For further information contact:
Keith Lewis, Zurich Media Relations
Tel: 01489 561708
E-mail: keith.lewis@uk.zurich.com