Online insurance distribution leaders, SureStart announced the acquisition of CompareGuru, an independent insurance comparison platform, from Silvertree Internet Holdings. CompareGuru joins the SureStart stable from 1 June 2019.
SureStart enables anyone to buy or sell digital financial services, instantly and seamlessly, by using the cloud-based Briisk Instant Transaction Platform. SureStart Founding Director Hanno Van Aarde says, “By joining forces with CompareGuru we are now able to reach more customers and provide them with access to value adding insurance products and financial services that give them full power over their money.”
CompareGuru CEO Travys Wilkins says that the acquisition will enable the brand to offer innovative white-labelled insurance solutions to the South African market whilst still furthering it’s goal of digitising the insurance process completely. “Our focus has shifted substantially in the past 12 months, moving away from the inherently invasive nature of insurance sales. Our mission is to continue offering a hands-on approach to guiding, assisting and servicing our clients – effectively closing the gap between the insurer and the end consumer - whilst ensuring the most efficient, innovative route to cost effective, comprehensive cover.” Wilkins will now fulfil a dual role as Executive Director of SureStart as well as CEO of CompareGuru.
Wilkins says the acquisition will enable SureStart to leverage off CompareGuru’s existing license agreements, “We’re able to pool resources across compliance, product development, multi-channel strategy and systems integration. This in turn means lowering cost structures and providing a full suite of financial products and services directly to the consumer.”
Established in 2013, CompareGuru provides free, unbiased side-by-side quotes on short-term and long-term insurance products, ranging from vehicle insurance and life insurance to building insurance. Wilkins says that a key focus for the business in the short term will be updating the products to include both funeral and travel insurance. Both digital insurance products will be powered by Briisk.
“We’re confident that this move will allow us to scale the offering utilising the technology now available to us to simplify processes and provide consumers with the most relevant solutions to their needs. In addition, we’d like to make an impact in an industry that has largely remained dominated by face-to-face and sales-driven activities for the better part of two decades,” says Wilkins.
About CompareGuru (FSP. 47696)
CompareGuru is an Authorised Financial Services Provider.
About SureStart (FSP 47233)
SureStart Online Financial Services is the activator and Implementer of the Briisk Innovation in Africa, Europe, Middle East, Turkey and India. Through their use of the cloud-based Briisk Instant Transaction Patform, the company offers end-to-end Insurtech and fintech solutions to insurers. This provides insurers with an instant and cost effective marketplace to handle online transactions.
SureStart has pioneered the online travel insurance market with building solutions for Travelstart, CarTrawler and Hepstar. Embarking on their own solutions, they are now providing insurance products, for example on https://travelsafe.co.za/travelsafe and https://www.justcarhire.co.za
Contact
For more information, please contact travys@compareguru.co.za.
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