Overview
SUN Insurance (SUN) is a Fiji owned and operated Commercial and Personal Lines insurance company with its head office located in Suva.
SUN was borne out of NMBF Insurance (Fiji) Ltd when 3 local businessmen took over the ownership of the fledging company and re-named it as SUN Insurance in 1999. With a mere premium turnover of $650,000 in 1999, Sun has grown to be a large player in the Fiji market with just under 20% of the Fiji General Insurance market with a turnover in excess of $19million in 2008. Current client base is in excess of 80,000 policyholders.
In recent years, SUN has aspired to bring its claims service ability to a new a level. During the January 2009 floods, Sun Insurance was lauded for its response to motor flood claims where a specialist Claims Emergency Response Team was assembled within hours to rescue flooded vehicles for safe keeping. Sun insured vehicles were the first in for repair thus getting priority service. Further, in another first for Fiji, Sun used a text messaging platform to keep all western Viti Levu based clients abreast with developments of its claims response during the floods.
Local Ownership
SUN is proudly a 100% Fiji owned entity with all of its profits retained within the Fiji economy .Since its inception SUN Insurance has invested around $40million in the Fiji economy. Further, SUN is the only company in Fiji with 100% local staff content. This gives Sun the edge in understanding the needs and requirement of its local customers.
Board of Directors
Chairman
Padam Raj Lala is the Managing Director and founder of Lotus Garments Ltd, Accountant, current Chairman of Land Transport Authority, Chairman of Clariti South Pacific, board member of Fijian Holdings Ltd, board member of the RB Patel Group former Deputy Mayor of Suva, former President of Fiji Manufacturers Association, former Chairman of Textile, Clothing & Footwear Council of Fiji, former Deputy Chairman of Fiji Development Bank, former Director of Fiji Trade and Investment Board.
Mr. Lala has vast experience in clothing manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade. He is a very successful real estate investor and developer. His multifarious activities with business community in Fiji is well recognised, together with his political, cultural, educational and community involvements.
Deputy Chairman
Dewan Chand Maharaj is the founder and Managing Director of Quality Print Ltd., the country's largest commercial printing operation, Mr. Maharaj served for a number of years as Director of the Fiji Development Bank. He is also founder and Managing Director of Dewan Holdings. As a member of a numerous business organisations, including the Fiji Institute of Directors and New Zealand Institute of Directors, as well as the Fiji Institute of Management, Mr. Maharaj also finds time to work as a board member for several NGO's and civic organisations and Chairman of Kidney Foundation of Fiji.
Director
Mr. Mahendra P. Sharma is the founder and former Managing Director of Sharma's Insurance Services. With forty years in the business, he is one of the most experienced insurance professionals in the country. After attaining the highest local management position while with New Zealand Insurance, then called Fiji Insurance, he left the company in 1985 to found his own business which quickly became the largest insurance agency in Fiji.
Key Staff Members
SUN's Management team and their specialist are as follows; Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Archie Seeto Mr. Seeto’s reputation in Fiji is well known. He is as an excellent administrator. The former country Head of Marsh Fiji took over the reins at Sun in early 2005. Archie’s reputation has brought Sun much added credit in the Fiji business sector which in turn has seen SUN increase its share of business from the commercial sector. Keys focus areas: Statutory Compliance, Corporate Governance and overall performance of SUN
General Manager Operations
Lolesh K. Sharma was appointed GM Ops in February 2005. With his qualification as a Civil Engineer and Insurance qualifications from London, Lolesh is able to mix theory and practicalities well. Lolesh has very quickly able to use his engineering background in increasing SUN’s ability to underwrite engineering risks.
Keys focus areas: E-commerce, Reinsurance, Business Process and Risk Modelling
General Manager Administration
Jai P. Maharaj was appointed GM Admin in June 2008. Jai’s vast and over 30 years of experience in the Fiji Insurance Industry will further enhance SUN’s client servicing capability both in Underwriting and Claims Service. Jai key task will be to ensure that Sun’s service levels are at or above Fiji Industry standards. Keys focus areas: Office Administration, Customer Service, Agency Compliance
Claims Consultant
Peter Fimone joined Sun in early 2006 as our in-house claims consultant. With over 30 years of experience and ‘guru’ like status in the Fiji Insurance Industry, Peter has been an added advantage to Sun’s operations and further ensuring that a much more efficient claims service is delivered to Sun’s ever growing client base
Underwriting Executive
Thomas Naua A long serving member of the Sun team, Thomas has maintained his loyalty to the Sun team. He has an invaluable input to the underwriting process with an in-depth understanding of Suns underwriting process. His in-depth knowledge of Insurance Law which has earned him respect of the legal fraternity. Thomas is well on his way to obtaining a Senior Associate-ship via the
ANZIIF.
"Our Staff are highly experienced in general insurance business. We are committed to upgrading their skills and invest heavily in their continuing education and training."
