Community spirit set to shine bright for allinsure at 2021 Insurance Business Awards

After taking home two major gongs at the 2020 Insurance Business Awards Australia, the team at allinsure commercial and business insurance advisers is aiming to blitz the field after being announced as a finalist in six categories this year.

As Canberra’s largest locally owned and operated insurance broking firm, allinsure is breaking the mould of how an insurance firm operates by building strong relationships with the local community.

Peter Chamberlain, allinsure’s managing director, says at the heart of the company is a strong desire to give back to the community, which extends far beyond its clients.

“We believe giving is far more than just handing over money,” he says. “It’s about taking an active and present role in the community by assisting organisations that make a profound difference to those in need, and provide joy, happiness and a sense of community and belonging to those around us.”

During the past three years, allinsure has had direct involvement in the donation of more than $1.2 million to local charity organisations and sporting groups, and also raised money by getting clients, business and insurer partners involved.

Peter says allinsure’s philanthropic contributions also extend to the company’s staff, with team members providing thousands of hours of their time to make a significant difference to their community since the company’s formal Community Engagement Program was implemented in 2018.

“The program allows our staff members to give back to the community through up to four days of paid volunteer leave, and financial support of causes that are meaningful to them,” he says.

“The Community Engagement Program also provides opportunities for part-time employment for people living with disabilities who are entering the workforce.”

allinsure has a long history of providing support to a range of organisations such as the Starlight Children’s Foundation in the ACT, which provides entertainment, education and technology to critically, chronically and terminally ill children, including granting once-in-a-lifetime wishes.

“We have donated $30,000 during the past three years alone and granted eight wishes, with a commitment to grant a minimum of one wish a year, in addition to any other financial support provided,” says Peter.

allinsure supports Canberra’s ice hockey team, CBR Brave, which has had a significant positive impact on the local community by encouraging fans to support local charities.

In 2019, Peter was recruited to sit on the board of Softball ACT.

In recent years, softball has seen a significant reduction in participation numbers Australia-wide, and Peter has been working hard on business development and participant recruitment and retention in an effort to save the sport and return it to its former standing.

Peter remains an inspiration to his staff, launching the Chamberlain Foundation in 2015 following the loss of his best mate to suicide.

The foundation holds three signature events to raise funds and awareness of suicide in the community: the Razor Ride, Brothers Lunch and Chambo Challenge.

allinsure’s community drive earnt the company the Best Community Engagement Program award at the 2020 Insurance Business Awards Australia, and Peter has his eye on the prize again this year.

As the 2020 Broker of the Year winner, too, Peter says it’s important his business provides a client-focused, advice-first service, just as clients might do with their lawyers or accountants.

“At the core of everything we do is educating and advising our clients so they can make informed, quality decisions on which risks to transfer for a premium via insurance, or which risks to maintain and mitigate through other means,” he says.

Since starting allinsure in March 2007, Peter says he has constantly reinvented procedures and processes, transforming from largely transactional to a skilled, advice-based operation.

“We set ourselves apart with customised insurance programs, in-depth risk and program reports, risk management advice and educating clients on the insurance landscape,” he says.

With the ever-changing insurance landscape in Australia, Peter says the insurer market arena is more challenging than ever, particularly off the back of the impact of COVID-19 on risk profiles and the economy.

“We have seen insurers completely pull out of some products and industries, or significantly reduce the cover offered in certain areas, and more brokerages of our size have been merged into larger entities,” he says.

Peter and his team at allinsure are looking forward to the 2021 Insurance Business Awards Australia online ceremony on Friday, 12 November.