More than group rates: insurance advice, advocacy and support.
Home and auto insurance affinity programs have long been a fixture of professional and industry associations. Whether it’s lawyers, accountants, engineers or other organized groups, the concept is straightforward: leverage collective buying power to help members access preferred insurance solutions and professional advice.
For dealership employees, that opportunity comes through CADA 360 Home & Auto Insurance, administered by HUB International.
While access to preferred rates is an important part of the offering, the program is designed to deliver more than discounts alone. Through HUB, employees gain access to experienced insurance advisors, a broad network of insurance carriers and ongoing support that extends well beyond the initial quote.
“The program itself is designed to provide dealership owners with a meaningful no-cost offering they can extend to their workforce,” said Laura Ferri, Business Development Manager with HUB International. “It’s a great way to provide additional value to employees without adding cost or administration for the dealership.”
Unlike insurers that offer only their own products, HUB operates as a brokerage, comparing options across multiple carriers and helping clients navigate coverage decisions based on their individual circumstances.
Through the CADA 360 program, HUB works with more than 25 insurance carriers, including preferred arrangements with Aviva, Economical and Intact.
For employees, that means they are not limited to evaluating a single insurer or product. Instead, brokers can compare coverage options, explain differences between policies and help identify solutions tailored to an individual’s needs, whether they are insuring a first vehicle, a family home or a more complex portfolio of assets.
“There can be a perception that if someone already has insurance through a major carrier, there isn’t much reason to explore other options,” said Michael Psotka, CADA’s CFO and Executive Director, Member Services. “What people may not realize is that HUB is shopping multiple carriers and leveraging the scale of the dealer community to help identify opportunities and provide support.”
That scale is a key part of the program’s value proposition. By bringing together dealership employees from across the country, CADA 360 creates the type of purchasing power commonly associated with large affinity groups and professional organizations.
The result is access to preferred discounts and coverage arrangements negotiated through insurer partnerships. Depending on the carrier and an individual’s circumstances, available discounts can vary, with coverage and pricing tailored to each applicant’s specific needs.
The objective, however, isn’t simply to find the lowest premium.
Insurance requirements vary considerably from one household to another. A young technician purchasing a first home may have very different needs than a dealer principal with multiple vehicles, a cottage or recreational assets. The brokerage model allows advisors to focus on matching coverage to circumstances while helping clients understand the options available to them.
The program is also designed to support a broad range of insurance needs. In addition to traditional home and auto coverage, employees can access solutions for cottages, trailers, motorhomes, watercraft and certain cross-border insurance requirements.
For Ferri, one of the program’s greatest strengths is the relationship that continues after a policy is placed.
“When we win a client’s business, they’re assigned a dedicated account manager — not a generic call centre,” she said. “They have someone who understands their situation and can help when things change. That same personalized approach extends to claims.”
When people have a claim, they’re often overwhelmed and may not fully understand their policy or the process. “Our in-house claims team is there to explain what’s happening, answer questions and advocate on their behalf. This level of personal service is not something the large nationally advertised programs can offer,” said Ferri.
Unlike many brokerages, HUB maintains an in-house claims team that works directly with clients through the claims process. For employees, that means access to experienced professionals who can help answer questions, explain coverage and provide guidance during what is often a stressful and unfamiliar experience.
While employees are the primary users of the program, dealerships benefit from its simplicity.
CADA 360 Home & Auto Insurance does not require enrollment management, ongoing administration or dedicated oversight from dealership staff or their HR Departments. Employees work directly with HUB, while dealerships can choose how actively they wish to promote the offering internally. Something as simple as collateral material posted on the lunch room bulletin board can be effective.
“The dealership can offer something valuable to employees that costs them nothing and requires very little administration. Valuable information on how to get a quote is also available on CADA’s website. It’s simply a matter of Dealer staff allowing their employees to make the connection and provide a phone number to call,” said Psotka.
HUB also provides communications support, including promotional materials, digital assets and educational resources tailored to a dealership’s preferred communication channels.
