Aviva today announced plans to build a new call centre and develop a claims processing operation for its UK general insurance business in India.
Aviva today announced plans to build a new call centre and develop a claims processing operation for its UK general insurance business in India.
This move will give the group’s UK general insurance business extra flexibility and capacity, while providing further scope to enhance efficiency and deliver a high level of service to customers.
Aviva’s existing activity in India includes a life assurance joint venture launched in 2002. The company also already outsources claims administrative services and software development work to companies operating in India.
The new operation will employ around 1,000 people by the end of 2003, and will form part of Norwich Union’s general insurance network of call and claims centres. By taking advantage of the time difference, the company will extend its capacity for round-the-clock claims processing, which will help improve service to customers.
The majority of jobs in India will arise from staff vacancies and anticipated turnover in Norwich Union’s general insurance business in the UK. The company aims to use natural turnover and internal staff transfers in the UK to minimise any compulsory redundancies.
During the year Aviva will assess what application offshore operations could have to other parts of its business.
Richard Harvey, group chief executive of Aviva plc, said: “Aviva is a global company, employing 64,000 people around the world. We are operating in an increasingly competitive environment and need to explore opportunities to improve our efficiency, while delivering high levels of service to our customers. Developing administrative capability in India is part of this process.”
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Notes to editors:
- Aviva plc is the largest provider of life and pensions to Europe, the UK’s largest insurance group and has substantial positions in other markets around the world. Aviva is the world’s seventh-largest insurer based on worldwide gross written premiums.
- Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide premium income and investment sales from ongoing business of more than Ł28 billion, and over Ł200 billion in assets under management at 31 December 2001.
- Aviva’s news releases are available on the internet at www.aviva.com
- A selection of images are available from the Aviva Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk