For us, providing aid in the form of various coronavirus initiatives is a matter of course. After all, we see long-term success as a company in the creation of value for all stakeholder groups. In line with our sustainable business management concept, we see our stakeholder groups as resources. The only way to create value and thus continue operating sustainably as a company in the long term is by supporting all our resource groups – this includes our customers, employees, partners and the community. These relationships are illustrated in our value-added model:
Thanks to our coronavirus task force made up of experts, we were able to observe the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic from the very beginning and quickly implement measures. This allowed us to consistently ensure the highest level of safety for our employees and customers. We managed this whilst keeping our service at the usual high level. For our resource groups, we implemented measures and started initiatives in order to help mitigate the issues surrounding the coronavirus crisis.
«“The last few months have been a huge challenge for everyone, but I am proud to see that Baloise remains a reliable partner for all its stakeholder groups even during the coronavirus crisis thanks to its employees. I would like to extend my thanks for this outstanding service.”»
Owing to our various measures and initiatives, we have been able to uphold the safety of our customers throughout the crisis and show you that we are there for you
Within the scope of our “1,000 thanks” campaign, we raffled off 1,000 vouchers between 15 May and 7 June 2020 to participants to be used when shopping at a local SME in Switzerland. The vouchers were obtained directly from our SME customers and then issued to private individuals so they could gift them to their personal coronavirus heroes whilst supporting local SMEs (for example, with a 50 franc voucher for a flower shop).
We offer payment term extensions for rent and insurance premiums to our customers in Switzerland and Germany. There were also payment term extensions for insurance premiums in Belgium.
In Belgium, we have made it possible via a partner website for our customers to send a selection of personal photos to friends and family free of charge. The Baloise logo was printed on the back of the photos as well as the words: “We’d love to see you (soon). Big hug!”
Since many parents had to work and look after their children at the same time, the risk of accidents at home increased: all customers in Germany were offered the option of free accident cover for children until 15 May 2020. In Belgium, there is also free accident cover for children as well as a free extension of the professional liability insurance for medical personnel to include the new/differing tasks they had to take on during the coronavirus crisis.
We offer our existing and new corporate customers in Germany the option of free legal advice via telephone through our business partner, Roland. We were also able to offer all customers in Switzerland with home contents insurance free legal advice via lex4you through our cooperation with the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS).
In Germany, customers are benefiting from premium refunds or reductions when their mileage falls below the agreed maximum distances. This is already stipulated in the policies and is having a big impact due to the coronavirus crisis.
SMEs are particularly affected by COVID-19 restrictions. In order to support these companies, we have introduced premium discounts for certain types of cover in Luxembourg. Other countries? Initiatives for SMEs?
In Germany, we offered a non-contributory own-account transport insurance for certain companies until 30 June 2020, as this was the only way they could manage to deliver goods to their customers
During times of crisis, we act in solidarity and support our community with numerous initiatives, events and measures – after all, the only way to overcome crises is together.
The platform now-together offers, among other things, presentation options for SME goods in Switzerland which are affected by the required social distancing. The aim of the cooperation is to support business and a comprehensive range of services (from restaurant vouchers to volunteer work). As a premium partner, we provide financial and technical support to the platform
As a partner, we have provided financial support for the foundation platform “Basel schafft(s) zämme”. The trade association foundation supports SMEs in Basel (home of the Baloise Head Office) with up to CHF 4,000 per month.
In Switzerland, Baloise Bank SoBa has assumed the financing role for federal coronavirus loans. Around 300 loans amounting to CHF 30 million have already been issued. The federal government assumes 100 per cent of the credit default risk for these loans.
Within the scope of our “1,000 thanks” campaign, we raffled off 1,000 vouchers between 15 May and 7 June 2020 to participants to be used when shopping at a local SME in Switzerland. The vouchers were obtained directly from our SME customers and then issued to private individuals so they could gift them to their personal coronavirus heroes whilst supporting local SMEs (for example, with a 50 franc voucher for a flower shop).
During the weekly Facebook live session conducted by B-Tonic, a subsidiary of Baloise in Belgium that focuses on physical and mental health, health experts are providing free help and advice. The eight-week challenge entitled “Strengthen your mental power” was one of the offered services.
In Belgium, a collaboration with the football association KAA Gent resulted in the “Buffalo Footshake” and the “Buffalo Block Challenge”, amongst other things. In addition, we supported a virtual football match organised by KAA Gent with participation by renowned Belgian virologists. Match viewers had the opportunity to make donations and the proceeds went to the organisation DigitalForYouth.
In Luxembourg, we work with Vireo to raise awareness of psychosocial risks during times of crisis – thanks to this cooperation, interested parties can use the normally fee-based application to find out if they are currently facing psychosocial risks without a fee.
Our main priority is always the well-being of our employees: just two days after the outbreak of the crisis, around 95 per cent of our employees were working remotely. In addition, we have of course provided protective equipment such as masks, gloves and disinfectant. Numerous initiatives have been introduced by the human resources department and employees themselves in order to foster a team spirit and support the welfare of employees.
From 1 to 30 June 2020, we collected #BaloiseSmarterTogether across the Baloise Group to donate to a good cause. By the end of June, we achieved the 40,000km and could thus donate 10,000 Swiss francs to the non-profit organisation Surprise. Our employees in Luxembourg can turn to doctors or psychologists from Association pour la Santé au Travail des secteurs Tertiaire et Financier (ASTF) as needed. Online courses, including for meditation and stress management, are also being offered in Luxembourg as part of the partnership with Deloitte.
In Switzerland, we offer a range of optional employees for employees services such as employee consultation hours, lunch discussions on specific issues, coffee chat, staying fit and healthy while working from home, using the hashtag #BaloiseIsAtHome in external communication on remote working and solidarity. Germany is also producing regular information on the employees’ daily remote working routines and interactive remote working playlists including a fitness week for employees working remotely with daily video yoga sessions. In Luxembourg, an online well-being programme is being offered which comprises a selection of activities with a focus on self-development and the ability to cope with pressure, as well as meditation and fitness courses.
Until 1 September 2020, insured company technology will also be covered free of premium payments even when used remotely as part of our electronics comprehensive insurance in Germany, provided it is included in the total sum insured of the policy.
We have strengthened our expertise exchanges with partners and are pushing forward with digitalisation for consultation in order to successfully stand by our customers even throughout this crisis.
In Belgium and Germany, we are organising tutorial webinars for brokers in order to advise them on how to keep in contact with their customer base. The online consultation certification for sales partners in exclusive operation was also extended in Germany.
Intensification of online consultation qualification for sales partners in exclusive operation and additional webinars for brokers.
Security, sustainability and resilience were the pillars of our corporate governance: thanks to our sustainable business model, Baloise has shown itself to be resilient throughout the coronavirus crisis. With our range of initiatives, we are helping our resource groups so they too can overcome this crisis. We want to be even better prepared for the effects of a pandemic in the future, for example by developing cooperation solutions via public and private institutions.