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An experienced knowledge partner and broker that advises and coordinates from the Netherlands
Vision
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For companies based in the Netherlands, operating at an international level involves many extra challenges, such as doing business with different countries that have their own laws and regulations, economic climate, culture, political situation and geographical characteristics. The risks attached must be carefully examined before being insured. It is an extremely complex challenge. A chat with Director Guido Verheijden and Practice Leader Vincent Verhagen of Meijers Global & Specialty about the importance of international risk management and tailor-made solutions for global insurance. And the key role an experienced broker can play in managing and coordinating everything from the Netherlands.
‘The Netherlands is full of businesses that venture out into the world with their products and services,’ says Guido Verheijden. ‘These companies are well aware of the opportunities that can be found beyond our borders. They are fearless and decisive, are prepared to take on major financial and commercial challenges and often do so in multiple countries. They set up offices, production locations, warehouses and logistics channels over land, sea and air. They take on commitments and responsibilities with customers and local chain partners. And they are also responsible for the employees who work at different locations around the world.
Building risk awareness
According to Verheijden, the result is a complex web of international risks that often differ enormously at the local level. Verheijden: ‘A simple example? Imagine you are a Dutch company about to invest in a warehouse in a foreign country. In some places, for example in certain states in the US, you will have to deal with tornados, while in other states that’s not the case. These kinds of differences can be found at locations all over the world and in every conceivable area of risk. From laws and rules and economic conditions to political situations and geographical and cultural characteristics.’
Broadening the perspective of risk
Verheijden believes there are a number of important questions that the head offices of Dutch companies with subsidiaries in other countries need to address: ‘Are you aware of all the risks in all countries and regions where you are active? Are you aware of their possible impact on your business? We can answer these questions for you. And we facilitate international insurance solutions that can prevent unwanted damage and unexpected surprises. Companies often fall into the trap of viewing international risk factors from an exclusively Dutch perspective. It is our job to broaden their perspective of risks on the global stage.’
Guido Verheijden (Director Meijers Global & Specialty)
Vincent Verhagen (Practice Leader Meijers Global & Specialty)
‘How do you avoid endangering the continuity
of your local business or even the existence of your company on the global stage?’
International risk management
A large number of Dutch businesses who have spread their wings across the world have chosen to work with Meijers Global & Specialty. ‘For them, we are the number one proactive knowledge partner when it comes to risk management and insurance,’ says Vincent Verhagen. ‘We look after all of the coordination involved. Based on their risk profile, we advise them on the insurance programme that best suits their needs. Our expertise lies in the ability to guide businesses through the complex labyrinth of international factors, risks and insurance solutions. We simplify the things that appear to be incredibly complex so that companies can focus on their international business in the knowledge that their interests are secure.’
Worldwide management and coordination
According to Verhagen, managing and coordinating is a continuous process. ‘It starts with an inventory of financial, technical, legal, judicial and geographical factors and conditions. We make a detailed map per country and location of the risks that may have an effect on operating results and their possible impact on the continuity of the company as a whole. This is followed by a comprehensive risk analysis and the formulation of an international risk profile for the entire business. Together with the client, we develop a strategic financial vision and set clear targets for optimal risk management. We advise on prevention measures aimed at avoiding or reducing risk. We provide detailed information that help a business to take well-thought-out decisions: do you want to take on certain risks or do you want to insure against them? When all of this is done, we draw up a full international insurance programme, completely tailor-made and with favourable premiums and conditions. The outcome is that a company is fully in control of its international operations on the basis if its unique business and objectives and with a transparent insight into the total cost of risk.’
Working together in leading international networks
In Guido Verheijden’s opinion, tailor-made international solutions are dependent on a number of essential factors. ‘We know our clients and their business inside out. We have direct and personal contact with the CEO, CFO and other executives and managers who are responsible for risk management. They can depend on the considerable expertise and experience of our team in Amstelveen. We also have access to leading international networks in which we work closely together with fellow brokers all over the world. They all apply the same values and standards as Meijers Global & Specialty with regard to quality, service and certainty. We know these partners personally and exchange knowledge and experiences with each other on a regular basis. Their local expertise provides a solid foundation upon which we can build.’
‘Companies often fall into the trap of viewing
international risk factors from an exclusively
Dutch perspective’
Worldwide programmes, local accents
The strength of Meijers Global & Specialty is twofold, according to Verheijden. ‘An experienced partner in the Netherlands that looks after worldwide management, supported by local expertise and robust international insurance networks. We offer insurance programmes that provide worldwide risk coverage in combination with local accents and policies. The latter is done in accordance with good local standard, i.e., compliance with all local laws and judicial requirements with regard to local governance. Each international insurance programme is tailor-made, including the choices made by local network partners, and is designed to meet the demands of each unique company. This can be in the form of an international controlled master programme (a single insurance umbrella with local underlying policies where required), stand-alone managed solutions (with policies drawn up for each individual country) or a hybrid solution (a combination of both solutions), depending on which option best meets a company’s needs.’
Overview, insight and control
Finally, Verhagen emphasises the importance of overview, insight and control. ‘Businesses can visit us via their own online customer portal for a complete overview of worldwide and local policies. The information we provide is detailed and transparent, up to and including the premiums and conditions for each local policy. It also contains the procedures and a full overview of local contacts in the case of damage claims, as well as analyses and documents that provide deeper insights. These include country reports with data from leading international sources. There are also damage reports that can be used to raise the level of protection. We are constantly in contact with our clients about the developments within their company and business and their plans for the future, about new risks that may involve, and about global and local developments in the insurance market. Monitoring, being constantly alert and acting in a proactive manner are essential elements of international risk management.’
‘Global management by a single experienced partner in the Netherlands, combined with the local strength of leading international insurance networks’
International controlled master programme, stand-alone managed solutions or a hybrid form of both solutions? Read the experiences of two Dutch companies here, each with their own tailor-made solution for global risk management and insurance.
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An experienced knowledge partner and broker that advises and coordinates from the Netherlands
Vision
‘Global management by a single experienced partner in the Netherlands, combined with the local strength of leading international insurance networks’
International controlled master programme, stand-alone managed solutions or a hybrid form of both solutions? Read the experiences of two Dutch companies here, each with their own tailor-made solution for global risk management and insurance.
Worldwide programmes, local accents
The strength of Meijers Global & Specialty is twofold, according to Verheijden. ‘An experienced partner in the Netherlands that looks after worldwide management, supported by local expertise and robust international insurance networks. We offer insurance programmes that provide worldwide risk coverage in combination with local accents and policies. The latter is done in accordance with good local standard, i.e., compliance with all local laws and judicial requirements with regard to local governance. Each international insurance programme is tailor-made, including the choices made by local network partners, and is designed to meet the demands of each unique company. This can be in the form of an international controlled master programme (a single insurance umbrella with local underlying policies where required), stand-alone managed solutions (with policies drawn up for each individual country) or a hybrid solution (a combination of both solutions), depending on which option best meets a company’s needs.’
Overview, insight and control
Finally, Verhagen emphasises the importance of overview, insight and control. ‘Businesses can visit us via their own online customer portal for a complete overview of worldwide and local policies. The information we provide is detailed and transparent, up to and including the premiums and conditions for each local policy. It also contains the procedures and a full overview of local contacts in the case of damage claims, as well as analyses and documents that provide deeper insights. These include country reports with data from leading international sources. There are also damage reports that can be used to raise the level of protection. We are constantly in contact with our clients about the developments within their company and business and their plans for the future, about new risks that may involve, and about global and local developments in the insurance market. Monitoring, being constantly alert and acting in a proactive manner are essential elements of international risk management.’
Vincent Verhagen (Practice Leader Meijers Global & Specialty)
‘Companies often fall into the trap of viewing
international risk factors from an exclusively
Dutch perspective’
International risk management
A large number of Dutch businesses who have spread their wings across the world have chosen to work with Meijers Global & Specialty. ‘For them, we are the number one proactive knowledge partner when it comes to risk management and insurance,’ says Vincent Verhagen. ‘We look after all of the coordination involved. Based on their risk profile, we advise them on the insurance programme that best suits their needs. Our expertise lies in the ability to guide businesses through the complex labyrinth of international factors, risks and insurance solutions. We simplify the things that appear to be incredibly complex so that companies can focus on their international business in the knowledge that their interests are secure.’
Worldwide management and coordination
According to Verhagen, managing and coordinating is a continuous process. ‘It starts with an inventory of financial, technical, legal, judicial and geographical factors and conditions. We make a detailed map per country and location of the risks that may have an effect on operating results and their possible impact on the continuity of the company as a whole. This is followed by a comprehensive risk analysis and the formulation of an international risk profile for the entire business. Together with the client, we develop a strategic financial vision and set clear targets for optimal risk management. We advise on prevention measures aimed at avoiding or reducing risk. We provide detailed information that help a business to take well-thought-out decisions: do you want to take on certain risks or do you want to insure against them? When all of this is done, we draw up a full international insurance programme, completely tailor-made and with favourable premiums and conditions. The outcome is that a company is fully in control of its international operations on the basis if its unique business and objectives and with a transparent insight into the total cost of risk.’
Working together in leading international networks
In Guido Verheijden’s opinion, tailor-made international solutions are dependent on a number of essential factors. ‘We know our clients and their business inside out. We have direct and personal contact with the CEO, CFO and other executives and managers who are responsible for risk management. They can depend on the considerable expertise and experience of our team in Amstelveen. We also have access to leading international networks in which we work closely together with fellow brokers all over the world. They all apply the same values and standards as Meijers Global & Specialty with regard to quality, service and certainty. We know these partners personally and exchange knowledge and experiences with each other on a regular basis. Their local expertise provides a solid foundation upon which we can build.’
‘How do you avoid endangering the continuity
of your local business or even the existence of your company on the global stage?’
Guido Verheijden (Director Meijers Global & Specialty)
‘The Netherlands is full of businesses that venture out into the world with their products and services,’ says Guido Verheijden. ‘These companies are well aware of the opportunities that can be found beyond our borders. They are fearless and decisive, are prepared to take on major financial and commercial challenges and often do so in multiple countries. They set up offices, production locations, warehouses and logistics channels over land, sea and air. They take on commitments and responsibilities with customers and local chain partners. And they are also responsible for the employees who work at different locations around the world.
Building risk awareness
According to Verheijden, the result is a complex web of international risks that often differ enormously at the local level. Verheijden: ‘A simple example? Imagine you are a Dutch company about to invest in a warehouse in a foreign country. In some places, for example in certain states in the US, you will have to deal with tornados, while in other states that’s not the case. These kinds of differences can be found at locations all over the world and in every conceivable area of risk. From laws and rules and economic conditions to political situations and geographical and cultural characteristics.’
Broadening the perspective of risk
Verheijden believes there are a number of important questions that the head offices of Dutch companies with subsidiaries in other countries need to address: ‘Are you aware of all the risks in all countries and regions where you are active? Are you aware of their possible impact on your business? We can answer these questions for you. And we facilitate international insurance solutions that can prevent unwanted damage and unexpected surprises. Companies often fall into the trap of viewing international risk factors from an exclusively Dutch perspective. It is our job to broaden their perspective of risks on the global stage.’
Share:
For companies based in the Netherlands, operating at an international level involves many extra challenges, such as doing business with different countries that have their own laws and regulations, economic climate, culture, political situation and geographical characteristics. The risks attached must be carefully examined before being insured. It is an extremely complex challenge. A chat with Director Guido Verheijden and Practice Leader Vincent Verhagen of Meijers Global & Specialty about the importance of international risk management and tailor-made solutions for global insurance. And the key role an experienced broker can play in managing and coordinating everything from the Netherlands.
Table of contents