Allianz Commercial and Virtue ESD Empower Black-Owned SMEs Through the Allianz Loss Adjusters Development Program

Press release | April 17, 2024 | Johannesburg

Allianz Commercial South Africa, a leading global corporate insurance carrier and a key business unit of Allianz Group, has partnered with Virtue ESD to launch the Allianz Loss Adjusters Development Program. This initiative aims to increase the number of black-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the company's supply chain and the broader economy. The program provides essential support to business owners, enabling them to overcome challenges and foster growth. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to establish a relationship with Allianz Commercial, potentially becoming a supplier.

“Allianz Commercial South Africa takes its role of contributing to the facilitation of broader participation in the economy within the insurance industry by black-owned businesses in line with relevant legislations such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Act,” says Allianz Commercial South Africa CEO, Thusang Mahlangu. “The Allianz Loss Adjusters Development Program is built on global best-practice principles, ensuring the scalability and sustainability of the entrepreneurs and small business suppliers involved. Since its establishment in 2019, the program has already assisted six companies in various areas, including business strategy, sales training, marketing, finance, HR and legal, ICT and system support, personal development, and systems and processes. Notably, all beneficiaries are currently supplying Allianz Commercial with loss adjusting services.”

Among the beneficiaries of the program are Sompisi Loss Adjusters, founded in 2017 by Bongani Mbhele. Sompisi Loss Adjusters offers professional and competent loss-adjusting services for corporate, commercial, and domestic insurance needs. With a highly experienced technical team boasting over 35 years of collective experience in the short-term insurance industry, Sompisi Loss Adjusters aims to become a leading corporate loss adjusting firm.

Another participant in the program is SailOut Loss Adjusters, established in 2020 by Mantsena Maphophe. SailOut specializes in adjusting claims for large financial service providers and operates in Johannesburg and surrounding areas. Their mission is to provide highly technical claims services, covering small to large-scale losses and complex claims.

Rixile Loss Adjusters is also benefiting from the Allianz Loss Adjusters Development Program. Renowned for delivering unparalleled loss adjusting and insurance consultancy services across the region, Rixile Loss Adjusters has established strong alliances with prominent insurance companies through collaborative work with international loss adjusting firms. Founder Gertrude Khosa has been an integral figure in the industry since 1995 and has been a Loss Adjuster since 2004.

Di Teelo, founded in 2019, specializes in expertly managing engineering-focused claims, particularly those related to subsidence, structural collapse, and mining plant equipment. Lebo Sekano, the Founder and Managing Director, stands as a rare female figure in engineering insurance claims adjustment in South Africa.

AdjustPro Insurance Loss Adjusters, founded by experienced entrepreneur Alison Jafta, brings over thirty years of expertise in the insurance loss adjusting field. With a strong presence in the industry since 1980 and over 18 years of experience in loss adjusting, Alison and his team are well-equipped to provide exceptional services.

Lukha Insurance Solutions, a comprehensive Insurance Solutions and Risk Management company, is also part of the Allianz Loss Adjusters Development Program. Led by Khaya Simelane, who has 13 years of experience within the Loss Adjusting industry, Lukha Insurance Solutions offers a broad range of professional services to a diverse customer base, including the public and private sectors, parastatals, and individuals.

 

Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry, as well as family-owned and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or Hollywood film productions.

Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand Allianz, as ranked by Interbrand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust us to provide a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and multinational services as well as seamless claims handling.

The trade name Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either though our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2023, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated around €18 billion in gross premium globally.

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