Vivas and Benchmark agree agent deal

Health insurer Vivas today said it had reached an agreement with Benchmark Underwriting that will allow the latter act as a "…

Health insurer Vivas today said it had reached an agreement with Benchmark Underwriting that will allow the latter act as a "master agent" for intermediaries operating in the non-life market.

The move means that insurance intermediaries can now apply to Benchmark as an agency for selling health insurance with Vivas.

The company says the deal paves the way for intermediaries to gain access to an insurance market currently worth in excess of €1 billion in annual premium.

Vivas Health unveiled its services in October 2004 and is the only health insurer in Ireland to offer its product to consumers through the broker channel.