"Moving into insurance, and particularly broking, was the best decision I've made in my career," says Andrew Wallace, Account Manager, Marine, Transport & Logistics, who bucked the family tradition of engineering to enter insurance 20 years ago."

I pondered what other role could provide the chance to exclusively manage clients or businesses from start-ups through to renewals and claims. Then I was offered an opportunity to come into broking through a claims role, and here I am 14 years later."

Wallace is a transport specialist whose addition to the Gallagher Marine, Transport & Logistics team strengthens our ability to provide expert advice on a large segment of industry which spans a wide range of diverse customers.

"Transport in Australia is a dangerous and heavily compliant industry, and I'm able to assist clients with navigating through these issues," he says.

"I believe COVID made the general public realise just how important the whole supply chain is to Australia, and transport was at the forefront of that change in thinking."

Holistic risk approach to clients' transport businesses

He says that the value he can offer transport insurance clients is twofold: a technical understanding of how cover can protect against carrier liabilities, but he also understands the sum of parts that comprise a successful transport business: from mechanics to drivers, and administration staff through to the owners.

"Regardless of the size of the client, genuine customer service is the key. You need to understand the clients' needs, and you need to do so by never assuming. I'll always ask questions, even if I might know the answer."

As his career has progressed Wallace says his knowledge has deepened from being focused purely on the protection of a client's physical assets.

"Moving into the broking segment, I quickly realised a broker needs to do more than this, and I developed a sense of not only insuring assets but also the client's business as a whole, protecting the owners financially, their staff and even their brand," he says.

New learnings and opportunities in the marine and transport sector

In growing his knowledge and expanding into the marine sector, Wallace says he's had help and guidance from Gallagher knowledge experts.

"Steve Rudman has been extremely supportive of my recent move to Gallagher, and the potential of what the area can become, and I've also been mentored by Gallagher veteran Kevin Loader from the Adelaide branch who's been an extremely important part of my transition to Gallagher."

Part of the appeal of joining Gallagher, he says, is that the brand is very well respected in the industry, the growth of the business within the last number of years has been impressive, and he's looking forward to being part of that.

"To be provided an opportunity to continue my insurance journey with an Industry leader is gratifying to say the least, and when something does happen to one of our clients and I can say 'we'll handle it' it's certainly one of the best features of the role."

Disclaimer

Gallagher provides insurance, risk management and benefits consulting services for clients in response to both known and unknown risk exposures. When providing analysis and recommendations regarding potential insurance coverage, potential claims and/or operational strategy in response to national emergencies (including health crises), we do so from an insurance and/or risk management perspective, and offer broad information about risk mitigation, loss control strategy and potential claim exposures. We have prepared this commentary and other news alerts for general information purposes only and the material is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal or client-specific risk management advice. General insurance descriptions contained herein do not include complete insurance policy definitions, terms and/or conditions, and should not be relied on for coverage interpretation. The information may not include current governmental or insurance developments, is provided without knowledge of the individual recipient's industry or specific business or coverage circumstances, and in no way reflects or promises to provide insurance coverage outcomes that only insurance carriers' control.

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