ARAG Group launches Australian operations in partnership with HDI

Germany-based legal expenses insurance provider ARAG Group has entered the Australian market in partnership with HDI Global Specialty.

The company has launched its operations as a managing general agent (MGA) in Sydney. The Australian ARAG subsidiary will offer innovative legal expense insurance products underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia.

ARAG Services Australia has been appointed by the insurer HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia to act under a delegated authority agreement allowing it to enter into policies and handle claims for legal expense insurance on the insurer's behalf.

Antoinette von Wendt has been appointed CEO of ARAG Services Australia. She joined ARAG in 2015 and has been working in ARAG's corporate development department.

The move is a part of ARAG's international expansion strategy.

“We’re continuously strengthening our international business activities through new strategic opportunities for the ARAG Group as our international legal insurance business accounts for 60 percent of our total legal insurance revenue," said Paul-Otto Faßbender, CEO and majority shareholder of the ARAG Group.

“The Australian legal expense insurance market offers interesting growth opportunities and we are eager to get started on the fifth continent, which is now the 18th country ARAG is active in,” he added.

Mark Fleiser, general manager and head of branch for HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia said: “We are extremely excited to be working with ARAG Services Australia Pty Ltd to bring a new legal expense insurance offering to the Australian market. We recognise the significant value in providing customers with insurance cover during times when they face unanticipated legal expenses.”

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