Specialist insurance companies

Few insurers today can genuinely claim to provide exceptional cover and personal service for private individuals and their families.

The entire focus of AIG Private Client Group is the protection of possessions for individuals of the highest levels of personal wealth. Recognising the uniqueness of our clients, their lifestyles and their assets, we ensure that they receive the highest levels of care.

Clients are offered the opportunity to place all of their insurance with AIG, including property in the UK and abroad, motor vehicles, planes, boats, bloodstock, personal accident, travel and kidnap and ransom.

AIG Private Client Group has taken a unique approach to under insurance, giving clients up to half their building sum insured for contents cover at no additional cost and thereby ensuring there being sufficient cover in the event of a claim. This is one of many unique aspects of the AIG Private Client Group proposition that includes some of the broadest cover available in the market, including warranty free wordings, free risk management surveys, specialist fine art cover and substantial discounts for large deductibles.

With dedicated client managers servicing each client, from conducting appraisals and settling claims through to developing protection strategies around specialist needs, the advantages of dealing with AIG Private Client Group are clear.

Through its Masterpiece programme, Chubb is one of the world's leading specialist insurers of period and distinctive homes and for jewellery and fine art. Chubb is distinguished by its superior claim service, with payments normally made within 48 hours of agreeing the settlement. Chubb was voted 'Best Claims Service' provider by brokers at the Insurance Industry Awards in December 2000.

Masterpiece was created for owners of fine homes, jewellery, fine art and valuables. You can place all your insurance needs under one policy - including travel, personal liability and second homes (even outside the UK). Chubb now offers Masterpiece Motor - with some very unique cover - enabling policyholders to combine their home and motor insurance needs.

There are no restrictive clauses or small print, no under-insurance penalties after a loss, and "all risks" cover for all possessions (including when you travel). Home contents are settled on a "new for old" basis - even clothing. And policyholders have the choice of replacing the item or accepting a cash settlement, and can choose their own contractors for home repairs.

Chubb is unique in having in-house appraisers who visit homes to establish the correct rebuild value - thereby avoiding under-insurance issues. Unlike other insurers who rely on the homeowner to guess these figures, Chubb's experts help by noting distinctive architectural features - a vital issue when insuring listed properties. With Chubb's Extended Replacement Guarantee option, Chubb will cover the cost of rebuilding a home - even if this exceeds the sum insured.

The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is one of the world's leading insurance organisations. Founded in the US in 1882, Chubb has more than 130 offices in 31 countries, and over $20 billion in assets. Chubb Insurance Company of Europe is one of few European insurers who consistently earns first-class ratings for financial strength from the independent credit rating agencies.

Hiscox has over 25 years' experience insuring fine art and valuable homes, and is one of Europe's leading specialist insurers. The Hiscox 606 policy is designed for those with a lifestyle and home which reflect their appreciation of quality. The policy gives superb cover and total flexibility to owners of valuable homes and contents.

Each policy is tailored to individual needs, and includes comprehensive "all risks" cover and free Annual Travel Insurance. They offer flexible excesses, security advice and help with valuations, and no onerous obligations are imposed, such as insisting jewellery is kept locked in a safe.

Hiscox believes that discerning householders tend to pay more attention to security and take greater care of their possessions. By choosing prudent clients like this, Hiscox ensures the careful are not subsidising a careless majority and pass the money they save onto their clients, resulting in lower premiums.

Hiscox pride themselves on handling all claims with efficiency, discretion and tact. The formidable claims team reacts quickly to clients' concerns, who can rest assured their expertise is unparalleled in the market. Hiscox will pay interest on agreed claims not paid within 4 working days.

The Hiscox Insurance Company has grown from a single Lloyd's of London underwriter in 1901, to a company fully listed on the London Stock Exchange. It has been awarded a security rating of A- (Excellent) from AM Best for its financial strength and operating performance.

Zurich Private Clients provides an extensive portfolio of products for High Net Worth individuals and their individual insurance requirements. Private Clients is a niche division within the global Zurich Financial Services Group, the 4th largest insurer in Europe with over 70,000 employees worldwide.

With a passion for delivering world class service, their unique account managers provide a dedicated bespoke service to their clients. The team has retained all the qualities you would expect from a service provider in the low volume-high quality sector with the financial security afforded by The Zurich Group.

In addition clients insured with Zurich Private Clients receive a home visit from their dedicated client manager. During their visit they discuss every aspect of the clients insurance needs, they provide the client with a full rebuilding cost valuation of their property and also provide practical advice on Contents and Fine Art values as well as overall security advice.

In the High Net Worth sector they combine a broad range of products, at present over 50 % of clients insuring both their home and motor vehicles under one policy which allows them to benefit from one renewal date and one interest free direct debit payment.

Service is hands-on and individual to the clients needs. Zurich Private Clients believe in providing their clients with wide policy cover but they are equally committed to providing an outstanding customer experience, this being at the very heart of their proposition.

Zurich Insurance Company holds a Standard & Poors rating of A (+ -) for insurer financial strength and security.