As a provider of ‘virtual insurance solutions’ — (possibly meaning they insure Tron’s bike races) — JLT Online offers a range of specialist policies that puts it firmly into the niche market. It started life as Pavilion Insurance in 1997 with a single product, Musicguard, that provided musical instrument and equipment insurance. Having increased its range of products and gained a stock exchange listing, the company was acquired by JLT Corporate Risks Ltd in 2007 and changed to its current name.
The company, based in Coventry, is now a division of Jardine Lloyd Thompson UK Ltd, a subsidiary of FTSE 250 company Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc. The group was formed in 1997 through a merger of Jardine Insurance Brokers and Lloyd Thompson Group. The resulting organisation is a major provider of employee benefits services, a leading risk management adviser, insurance and re-insurance broker.
That does sound quite confusing and unstable for those of you who prefer your Direct Line brand backed by RBS. But, they are one of the largest firms of their type in the world, with over 5,000 staff working in more than 100 offices in over 30 countries, meaning that JLT Online has an established background and stability – and, I don’t remember them needing a bail out.
The original Musicguard product is supplemented by other policies for musicians that cover orchestras, DJs and schoolchildren’s instruments. Also insured are photographers, whether amateurs or professionals, cyclists, golfers and re-enactors — which means people who recreate historical events, such as World War Two or the Roman occupation (when we say niche we mean niche!). The cyclist’s cover can be purchased directly or from cycle retailers through the Cycleguard Affiliate scheme, which provides an extra revenue stream for retailers as well as a more complete service to their customers.
Cover is provided for gadgets and laptops, while pet insurance, which has been provided for ‘almost 30 years’ and therefore precedes the formation of even the original Pavilion Insurance (try not to think about that too much), is available through a separate website (www.petguard.co.uk). Pet owners can create policies that meet their particular needs and budgets. Cover is stated to be essential, given that one in three cats and dogs falls ill or has an accident each year and the average cost of an emergency visit to a vet is around £300. Whilst the figures are always debatable, the fact that pet insurance is necessary is not.
Among its less specialised offerings are small business and business van insurance, which are both provided through the separate www.insurantz.com website. Claimed advantages are fast quotations due to reduced input, no premium penalties for new businesses and included legal expenses and business advice. Policies are tailored for different types of businesses and are generally underwritten by Brit Insurance. The exception is legal expenses cover, which is arranged through Qdos and underwritten by Groupama.
Now, we must have listed a dozen company names and various brandings. So where do you find the cover you’re looking for? Well, pay attention: Music Guard policies can be bought at www.musicguard.co.uk, Pet Guard policies from www.petguard.co.uk, Cycle Guard policies from www.cycleguard.co.uk, Photo Guard policies from www.photoguard.co.uk … getting the picture? So DJGuard, LaptopGuard and GizmoGuard should be easy to find 
Of course, the simplest solution is to go to www.jltonline.co.uk where everything is listed … actually, everything is listed from every site and they all look pretty much the same. Why different sites for each product? Unsure. Let us know what you think of the set up via the message boards.
Specialist Cover Providers
