Meet CGU's Rural Insurance Centre Team

Meet Ashlynne Holt - Manager, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

As the Manager of the Rural Insurance Centre, I am responsible to deliver full lifecycle underwriting of Agri Products. 

I have been with the company for 13 years, working in various roles from underwriting to leadership. My underwriting background allows me to bring that knowledge and understanding into my current role. 

My team consists of 25 underwriters and lead underwriters, and I feel privileged to lead the national team and execute on our service promises to our brokers. 

What value does the RIC (Rural Insurance Centre) provide to brokers and their Agri clients?

We are a national team responsible for full lifecycle underwriting, specialising in all things Agri for our brokered business. 

Our team has a great understanding of the differing farming landscapes across the country and the broad range of occupations, and the complexities they can bring.

Since the centre was born, we have worked closely with our brokers and formed valuable relationships which we can then tailor solutions to fit their client’s needs.

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

I will be celebrating National Ag Day with my team here in Ballarat, where we will all come together to celebrate our farmers and the work the team does to support them by having a lunch.

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

We are proud of our strong and trusted brand and point of difference in the market. 

Our team’s knowledge and experience, together with our Agri products and the strong relationships we have created with brokers enables us to mutually support their clients and customise solutions.

Meet Debbie Farquhar - Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

I have worked in the CGU Agri Centre since August 2012 as a Rural Underwriter. Prior to this role I worked for several years with a direct insurer in a customer facing role assisting client’s find the correct cover to meet their individual needs. This role involved underwriting, sales and claims which provided me with a broad knowledge of insurance in general.

Having grown up on a large mixed farm in the Wimmera area of Victoria where my family produced beef cattle, sheep, pigs and cereal crops I have a genuine interest in agriculture. This interest is not only a Monday to Friday, 9.00 – 5.00 interest, in my leisure time I enjoy attending Agricultural Field Days and Farm open days to see how farming practices are evolving.

With my farming background I bring an understanding and knowledge of the agricultural industry and the challenges faced by our customers.

How does the relationship between the RIC’s underwriting team benefit brokers and their clients?

The CGU Rural Insurance Centre is a dedicated centre of excellence specialising in Rural products only, it is what we do all day, every day. 

Because our centre focuses entirely on our Rural products, our knowledge does not have to be spread across other products which enables our staff to have a deeper understanding of a single area of risk – agriculture.

This focussed expertise of our Underwriters provides brokers quality, in depth knowledge of the agricultural industry and allows us to guide brokers how to best protect their client’s valuable assets and livelihoods.

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

On National Ag Day I will be working and celebrating with my team in our local regional office in Ballarat.  

This day will give us all the opportunity to come together and reflect on the benefits the agricultural industry brings to the Australian economy and the employment opportunities it generates - as the saying goes “Australia was built on the sheep’s back”

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

Brokers should choose CGU for their Agri clients because we are a dedicated team of Agri Underwriters with a combined 300+ years of insurance industry experience. 

Many of our staff, individually, have 25+ years of experience in the industry, with many of those years in the rural centre.

With many of the Agri Underwriters having been there since the beginning in 2012 when the Agri Centre was established why would brokers NOT choose CGU for their Agri clients?!

Meet Luke Oxlade - Lead Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

As a Lead Underwriter, I draw on over 15 years’ experience and knowledge of insurance across a wide variety of products, to assist our partners in pricing and placing tailored covers to meet the needs of their Agri clients. In addition to this, I complete regular formal and informal coaching and mentoring of my colleagues to assist in their learning and upskilling of knowledge.   

What value does the RIC (Rural Insurance Centre) provide to brokers and their Agri clients?

Being a whole product lifecycle centre that focuses entirely on Agri products, we’re well set-up to assist Brokers meet the specific needs of their Agri clients. We have a vast array of experience within the team to help with all enquiries.

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

I’ll be celebrating National Ag Day by getting together with my team over a lunch and thanking them and our farmers for everything they do to support myself and providing for the world.

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

Brokers should choose CGU as we live and breathe Agri insurance daily. Within our team we have hundreds of years in experience with Agri products and we’re here to help find solutions for them and their clients.

Meet Scott McMahon - Lead Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

My role as a Lead Underwriter in the Rural Insurance Centre is to provide advice and service on Agri Products to our broker connections, as well as assistance, support and coaching to our internal staff and internal IAG stakeholders. 

I have over 38 years’ experience with CGU, a large portion which has been in Regional Australia, servicing our Agriculture Customers and I also live in a small Regional Town.

What value does the RIC (Rural Insurance Centre) provide to brokers and their Agri clients?

Being based in Regional Victoria, our Rural Insurance Centre has staff who have lived on a Farm or in Regional Australia. They fully understand the Agricultural Industry in Australia and are able to provide knowledgeable advice to our Broker Partners and Internal IAG staff.

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

We will be holding a function in our Ballarat Office during Ag Week to celebrate the event.

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

Our CGU staff have extensive experience and knowledge in the Agriculture Sector, and we offer a high-quality Product in our Countrypak & Farm Motor Policies. Our Rural Insurance Centre is a unique proposition in the market in that we have experienced staff who are dedicated to Agricultural Risks, ensuring our brokers are receiving the best advice and service possible.eir clients.

Meet Seona Prendergast - Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

I have been an underwriter in the Rural space for the last 10 years in the Ballarat office and come from a farming background so am familiar with farming practices and risks. 

I have lived in Ballarat most of my life and have been in the insurance industry for 18 years.

How does the relationship between the RIC’s underwriting team benefit brokers and their clients?

The underwriting team have many years’ experience and a wealth of knowledge between us, we understand the brokers and clients’ needs and work together to achieve the best outcomes and make decisions in a timely manner.

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

We will be celebrating with the team by getting together for a lunch in support of farmers and clients, the core of our business.

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

We are renowned for our superior products and services and responsive decision making. The majority of our staff have been in the industry for many years and know all things Farm.

We are able to find solutions for our partners and clients and provide a friendly personalised service.

Meet Sue Vogele - Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

My role within the CGU Rural Insurance Centre is as an Underwriter. I have been with CGU for the past 11 years and have over 40 years’ experience within the insurance and finance industry. 

Coming from a Rural and Farming background, I would say working in the Rural Centre has been my most interesting and engaging role.

How does the relationship between the RIC’s underwriting team benefit brokers and their clients?

The Rural centre are a group of people who are there for one reason – to share their expertise within the rural sector and provide excellent customer service.

The RIC has a combined wealth of experience and expertise of approx. 300 plus years. 

With our many years of experience this definitely shines through - we have gained a level of trust and developed strong broker relationships. 

We all acknowledge that we are part of a team who communicate respectfully and always put the broker and our customer first. Guaranteed the Rural Centre Team are always there to assist in a friendly and professional manner.

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

I will be celebrating National Ag Day by supporting local farmers by making a feast fit for a king made out of all fresh local produce.  

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

Brokers should choose CGU for their Agri Clients. Not only is CGU seen in the global market as having longevity, operating for almost 160 years, we at the Rural Centre trust and believe in our rural lines products – this shows through with our excellence in customer service. 

Meet Tania Linahan - Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

I have been an Underwriter in the RIC for 11 years and in that time, I have benefited from a team of Lead Underwriters who are only too happy to share their knowledge. 

I use my underwriting knowledge to assess and underwrite risks and make decisions, while also displaying the customer service skills required to sometimes have difficult discussions with brokers. 

I believe my customer service skills and ability to create rapport with our partners is a particular strengths.   

How does the relationship between the RIC’s underwriting  team benefit brokers and their clients?

The RIC’s Underwriting Team work closely together and share their expertise. Everyone has different strengths, and we all work together to give the best outcome for our partners and clients as well as CGU.  

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

We will be bringing the team together for a lunch to celebrate farmers and those who support them, including ourselves. 

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

As far as I am aware, no other insurer has a specialist Rural Insurance Centre. We have all the knowledge and experience in one place, we are available to brokers by phone and make decisions in a timely manner which benefits their clients.

That service, along with our superior product, sets us apart.

Meet John Bolger - Underwriter, Rural Insurance Centre (RIC)

Tell us a bit about your role and the expertise you bring to CGU’s Agri offering

With 30 years in the industry (including 7 as a broker), I have developed a well-rounded solution-based approach to risk analysis and am sensitive to the challenges of brokers in meeting the needs of their customers.  

How does the relationship between the RIC’s underwriting team benefit brokers and their clients?

The Rural Insurance Centre is full of very experienced farm underwriters who are readily available to talk with. Farming is becoming more diversified, and we take time to understand the Insured’s business to help our brokers tailor the correct insurance solutions to meet their needs. Collaboration between the underwriter and the broker ensures the best outcomes for our mutual clients.  

How will you be celebrating National Ag Day?

On the 17th of November, the Rural Insurance Centre Team will come together for a National Ag Day lunch to celebrate the farmers of Australia. We understand farming has many challenges and we think it’s important to acknowledge their efforts.   

Why should brokers choose CGU for their Agri clients?

CGU has a long history of providing insurance products to the farming industry and can be relied upon even in the most challenging times. We ensure that the decisions made today will allow us to continue to provide the products and services to our brokers and their clients into the future.