Principal revs up for Ireland campaign

A MANCHESTER-based insurance company has announced it is to enter Ireland’s motorcycle insurance sector in spring.

Principal Insurance has already recruited its first three staff ready for the opening of its Dublin operation.

The team will be led by Aly Dixon who has almost a decade of bike broking experience, having spent seven years heading up AXA Bikecare’s (formerly AON) Dublin business and a further two years running Carole Nash’s Irish set up.
 
While Principal will initially focus on modern and classic motorcycle insurance it plans to expand its portfolio to occupy other specialist niches.

This is in line with the strategy employed in the UK which has seen the company grow rapidly since start-up in 2011.

It now generates well above £3m in annual premium income from motorcycle, scooter, van, trade and classic and modified car policies.

Dixon said: “It’s time for change, particularly in the bike market which has become staid, lacking in any real competitive edge.
 
“We’ll naturally be competing on price but placing a real emphasis on delivering a genuinely personal service because we feel that’s what the market is sorely lacking.”

Victor Donnelly, public relations officer for MAG Ireland, the Irish Motorcyclists’ Association, welcomed news of Principal’s plans saying: “MAG Ireland welcomes the announcement by Principal insurance that it will enter the Irish market following the successful growth of the business the UK. As a specialist broker, Principal insurance combines a unique knowledge of the motorcycle insurance sector with a well-established product