“There is a simple reason why we hold Funk in such high regard as an insurance broker: we have the same goals. As an active asset manager, we not only want to keep our properties in good condition, but also to continuously improve them. One thing is particularly important to us: implementing exactly those measures that the tenants really need. Our contact persons at Funk take the same approach: The insurance solutions are individually adapted to our company, are regularly checked and optimized if necessary. No matter which area of insurance is involved, we always receive competent and personal advice – from our responsible customer advisor as well as from the specialist departments. And if there's ever an urgent problem, there's always someone on the spot, quickly and without fuss. In short, we can rely on Funk – just as our tenants rely on Velero.”

Thomas Lange
Managing Director/Co-CEO
Velero Immobilien GmbH
velero.com

“As the world market leader in the field of valve designs for sterile applications, it is important to us that our system solutions are tailored to the individual needs of our clients. We also place this demand on our own service providers. In the introduction of a global risk management software, Funk completely fulfilled our expectations here. The implementation was straightforward and very professional, and we had a direct contact person available at all times. Any problems could thus be solved quickly and flexibly. The software now enables us to work more closely with our subsidiaries - and has therefore demonstrably improved our processes.”

Tanja Mangold
Corporate Insurance and Risk Management Officer
GEMÜ Group

“As a housing cooperative, continuity is one of the values that are particularly important to us – in regard to our members, for whom we want to enable lifelong living, but also in our choice of professional partners. Funk has been supporting us in our insurance and risk management since 2013. I appreciate three aspects in particular about the cooperation: On the one hand, Funk is a professional service provider that not only knows our industry and its classic risks well, but also provides holistic advice on new challenges and looks beyond its own nose. On the other hand, the experts also look inwards: For example, our internal processes have been significantly optimised by linking an insurance module to our ERP system. This module is also used for the lean processing of claims. When things get complex, though, our Funk contact is also there for us personally. It is precisely this open communication that ensures that we always find the best possible solution together – and that shows: Neuwoba is not just a number for Funk, but an equal partner.”

René Gansewig
Executive spokesman

Neuwoba – housing cooperative Neubrandenburg

„For more than 10 years we have been working in close cooperation with Funk and are very satisfied with the advice and support we receive. We appreciate Funk's knowledge of the risks of the food industry combined with a profound assessment of the insurance market. As a customer, you can not only count on our experience in the insurance sector, but valuable information is also always available for the areas of fire protection and safety engineering, based on the many years of experience of Funk's employees.”

Dr. Franz Radatz
CEO

Radatz Feine Wiener Fleischwaren

“Of particular interest to our company was the analysis we conducted together with Funk regarding uninsurable risks. This provided important information for the risk management of an automotive supplier. In addition, we were supported very professionally and with incredible ambition in the event of a major loss. As a broker with an international footprint, Funk has the appropriate size and weight with the insurers.” 

Hanspeter Gauer
CEO
Polycontact AG

The complete German testimonial of Polycontact AG is available as a video here.

“Funk enormously takes the pressure off our internal processes. In addition, the advice provided by Funk supports the medium-term planning of our insurance portfolio. Our contacts at Funk examine even unusual requests and submit an offer or viable alternatives. This is a decisive factor, because we are always faced with completely new insurance questions.”

Edith Bieri
Director
Foundation Educational and Residential Home Rossfeld

“As a municipal housing company and lessor, we have a very special social responsibility when it comes to caring for and maintaining our apartments. Funk provides the best support for meeting our obligations. The international insurance broker and risk consultancy firm takes care of our complete insurance programme for our buildings. And we can rely on an extremely efficient digital claims management system. As a result, our insurance partner provides us with a service that is indispensable when it comes to offering our tenants the good service they have come to expect. And based on regular tendering for broker services, we are also confident that we are being offered cost-effective, market-value prices.

In addition, Funk's support of the respective insurance awarding is always extremely professional. The joint workflow with Funk is fast, efficient and uncomplicated.”

Jörg Franzen
Director of Service & Investment
GESOBAU AG

Web-based training on the topic of product liability

Product liability is a central topic in the automotive industry. Employee training that increases risk awareness and teaches the right conduct in this field is thus an integral component of risk management for this industry. The same applies for cable specialist and Funk customer LEONI. 
However, increasing international growth has made it more and more complicated for LEONI to implement this training throughout its network. The corporate group has therefore joined forces with Funk to develop an e-learning tool, enabling employees throughout the company to learn about issues relating to product liability. This solution is flexible, efficient and not bound to a particular time or location.
Funk now also offers the ‘e-learning@Funk’ e-learning platform to other companies, meaning that small to medium-sized companies can also benefit from cost-effective mobile learning.

“Thanks to our long-standing cooperation, Funk knows our special requirements for insurance solutions for our annual ten or so trade fairs and over 100 events. Since the Funk team is also happy to be our guests during the eleven OLMA days, they can judge very well how everything from the St. Gallen bratwurst to the pork specialty ‘Bundesratssäuli’ must be properly insured. As a typical SME, we cannot cover the insurance know-how ourselves and are therefore happy to rely on experienced, qualified experts.”

Adi Stuber
Vice Director
Olma Fairs St.Gallen

“We were impressed with how Funk carried out an excellently prepared plausibility check on our insurance package. We have been a satisfied customer ever since – they are a perfect fit, not just in technical terms but also on a personal level. Even as we engage in the international expansion of our business, with a particular focus on Scandinavia, Funk remains a reliable and competent partner with the necessary expertise when it comes to national requirements.”

Dirk Lütje
Managing Director
CITTI / CHEFS CULINAR

“How is good service different from excellent service? Good partners provide good services – excellent partners stand out in particularly difficult situations with outstanding support and problem-solving competence. Funk has presented itself as an excellent partner in the design of our international insurance programmes – although Helios, as a chemicals producer with a focus on Eastern and Central Europe, is not necessarily a valued customer in the insurance industry. In addition to our special risk profile, Funk has handled the complex insurance policies in many countries outside the EU with excellence and actively supported us in the settlement of claims. We appreciate the extremely fast and flexible communication and the high level of expertise of the entire Funk team.”

David Kubala
CEO

Kansai Helios Coatings

Value chain as a success factor

A robust delivery chain is of crucial importance to the financial success of a company. Armacell is therefore teaming up with Funk to introduce business continuity management (BCM) at its site in Münster. As Armacell processes chemical substances, the company is subject to the German Hazardous Incident Ordinance (StörfallV) – this means that important foundations for effective business continuity management (BCM) are already in place. In collaboration with Funk, detailed business continuity plans will be developed on the basis of these foundations. A life cycle will be developed and implemented over a period of around a year.
Within the scope of this life cycle, factors that impact on the Armacell value chain will be identified and analysed at regular intervals. In a further step, emergency plans triggered under realistic circumstances will be implemented in the company. This ensures that the value chain will remain robust in response to a crisis event.
Prior to the introduction of BCM, the company needs to make an important strategic decision and take into consideration the necessary consequences and provisions: how quickly does production need to be ready for action once again following a failure of any kind? The shorter the restart target that is planned for the business processes, the more comprehensive the business continuity measures that will need to be implemented.
This fundamental decision is taken as the basis for analysing the business processes and investigating the typical hazards at the site in question.
“In Funk, we have a coach that presents the advantages and essential features of BCM to us with a practical orientation. We are going through the BCM life cycle step by step as part of a joint process and benefiting from Funk’s project experience in the field of business continuity management”, says Salvatore Gargallo, Group EHS Manager at Armacell.

Negotiations on equal terms

A collision between a fast train of the Swiss South Eastern Railway (SOB) and a three-wheeled motorcycle, a so-called trike, developed into a complex insurance case in autumn 2010. The rider of the motorcycle had touched a crash barrier and was thrown off, but his trike went down a slope and only came to a halt on a track. Fortunately, no one was injured, but there was a high level of material damage to the train and tracks of over two million Swiss francs. At first it seemed clear that the rider of the trike would have to pay for the costs. But since 2010, the situation looks a bit different: That year, a revision of the Swiss Railway Act took place, which states that due to the operational hazards arising from railway operations, railway companies must be liable without fault not only for personal injury but now also for property damage. Therefore, although the SOB had nothing to reproach itself for, the new liability regulation meant that the SOB was to share in the property damage it had suffered itself. “With this case of damage, we were probably one of the first railway companies that had to experience the tightening of the legislation one-to-one,” says Marianne Reisner-Schmid, member of the management board at SOB. “Funk guided us safely and reliably through the negotiations thanks to their extensive experience and specialist expertise. Since Funk also enjoys a high level of respect among insurers, we were able to conduct our negotiations on equal terms – and conclude them with a very satisfactory result for SOB.” Because instead of the basic rule of the liability quota, according to which the railway company has to contribute two thirds of the property damage, Funk was able to achieve, by referring to cantonal and federal court decisions and with the help of its own lawyer, that the trike driver's liability insurer had to take over the main part of the property damage. The SOB was thus able to spare its own insurance policy for the most part, and discussions about possible premium increases were not an issue.

“For more than 20 years Funk has helped us equip ourselves with the ideal insurance setup, both nationally and internationally. As a global company, we especially appreciate the excellent work of the Funk Alliance network. We know our insurance management is in good hands.”

Dr Björn Carsten Frenzel
Head of Group Legal /
Corporate Governance
Aurubis AG

Risk management as corporate added value

Risk management is more than adherence to statutory regulations. Schöck Bauteile has shown how risk management can be used to promote corporate success. In an initial step, a team established risk fields in relation to the board divisions and business units. During this process, Schöck received support from Funk Risk Consulting. 
The identified risks included economic fluctuations and raw material prices, along with increasing requirements in terms of energy standards, different construction methods in international markets and a skills shortage. 
Working together with Funk Risk Consulting, the Schöck team used these findings to develop a process that requires prominent risks to be identified and evaluated at a risk management meeting held twice a year. The results will then be assessed by the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board. The project participants will hold regular discussions with departmental managers and members of the Executive Board for the purpose of evaluating changes to the risk fields and analysing individual risks along with their measures. 
Rainer Schapfeld, Head of Legal and Risk Management at Schöck Bauteile, sums the solution up as follows: “This type of risk management, which enables efficient recording, evaluation, processing and reporting of risks, provides a complete overview of the corporate risk situation when used alongside other controlling instruments.”

Fast help for the plant under water

June 2018 began rainy and for the automotive supplier Hörmann Automotive not very pleasant. Due to persistent heavy rainfall, a small stream on the edge of the site in Saarbrücken had risen dramatically. Neither the embankment nor the flood barriers at the gates of the buildings could stop the water masses. In the end, the water was 1.50 metres high in several production and storage halls as well as the administration and social buildings. When it flowed off again, there were numerous buildings, machinery, equipment and supplies damaged or soiled so that the production site could not be operated for a long time. In order to keep the interruption period as short as possible, Funk was directly at the side of its client: At short notice, a team was put together in which specialists from three expert offices, a restoration company, an insurer and a chemist worked together. Just two days after the flood, the first cleaning work began according to the chemist's instructions. A container village with cleaning baths and materials was built on site for this purpose. More than 100 employees took care of clean-up work and the restoration of buildings and machines. Thanks to the comprehensive advice provided by Funk, Hörmann Automotive was sufficiently protected against flooding and the damage of around 6.5 million euros was fully covered. The expected loss of earnings had initially been feared to be much higher. However, thanks to the rapid response and immediate measures, the loss of earnings including the provisional measures was limited to 1.5 million euros. The remaining 5 million euros of the loss amount is attributable to the material damage. “Only due to the immediate and professional support and coordination of Funk was it possible to avoid band downtime at our customers’ premises. Otherwise, they would inevitably have had to relocate orders, which would have posed an existential threat to our company with its approximately 150 employees,” says Uwe Jung, Managing Director of Hörmann Automotive in Saarbrücken.

Electrifying insurance cover: the large-scale ‘Kessel 12’ project at Stadtwerke Flensburg

Stadtwerke Flensburg supplies more than 200,000 households and companies throughout Germany with electricity, natural gas and district heating. Its turnover is over EUR 400 million per year. As part of its ‘Kessel 12’ project, in 2016 the Flensburg energy provider commissioned a new environmentally friendly gas and steam power station that emits around 40 per cent less CO2. Stadtwerke Flensburg invested a total of EUR 128 million into this project, making it an exceptionally large undertaking for the region.

The experts at Funk created the insurance scheme for this unique project. A main part of the scheme was contractors and erection all risk insurance, which guaranteed comprehensive protection of the investment during the construction phase. Funk also made certain even before construction was complete that the power station could be insured from the point it was commissioned. Funk supported the project managers at Stadtwerke Flensburg with an interdisciplinary team of insurance experts and risk engineers. After an in-depth inspection of the site, Funk’s risk engineers advised Stadtwerke Flensburg on the implementation of the construction, fire protection measures to separate existing property from the new build and expansion of the fire detection system.

‘A tailored insurance scheme is absolutely crucial for a project of this size, in order to be prepared for all risks and unknown factors. The comprehensive, expertly competent advice from the Funk Group was an important building block for our Kessel 12 project and we found it incredibly valuable,’ emphasises Maik Render, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Flensburg.

“We have been working with Funk for 15 years now and are very satisfied with their services. As an outsourcing partner for the management of our insurance affairs, we particularly appreciate the knowledge of the risks of the food industry and the fast settlement of claims. The demand-oriented support approach and the solution competence of Funk are particularly worth mentioning.”

Doris Felber
CEO

Franz Felber und Co. GmbH

Convenient insurance coverage for the miniature world

The Miniatur Wunderland is one of Hamburg’s most popular tourist attractions. The brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun have built up a little universe that fascinates 1.3 million visitors a year. The marvels on show include the largest model railway in the world and nine enthralling complete model layouts of Austria, the fictional location of Knuffingen and its airport, central Germany, Hamburg, the USA, Scandinavia, Switzerland and Italy.
As the only attraction of its kind in the world, it requires tailor-made insurance coverage. The constant expansion of the complex – which will see Monaco, France and Great Britain added in the coming years – means that flexible adjustments must also be made to the insurance coverage. 
Miniatur Wunderland is covered by the Funk Comfort Policy (known as the FKP) drawn up by Funk. In this multiline coverage, various risks are incorporated from different insurance divisions and bundled into a single policy. One result of this is a reduction in the amount of administration work for the customers. However, the FKP is also very flexible and is adapted to the individual needs of the customers. With regard to Miniatur Wunderland, the FKP provides high added value for this customer via the specially negotiated and exceptionally long liability period of five years in the case of business interruptions resulting from fire damage. For the duration of this period, salaries, running costs and lost profits are borne by the insurer up to a specific maximum amount. 
Miniatur Wunderland boss Frederik Braun says: “Our world is the result of detailed and painstaking work. In the event of major fire damage, the reconstruction process would take several years. Funk worked on our behalf to negotiate this long liability period with the insurers, which we greatly appreciate.” An additional part of this tailored service is comprehensive consulting – not only in relation to the insurance concepts, but also with regard to aspects such as regulations and the corresponding test procedures. As Miniatur Wunderland features a complex light and power system, this is also subject to regular inspections by the insurer and the authorities. The experts from Funk provide specific on-site consultation to address how Miniatur Wunderland can best prepare for the test procedures.

“When it comes to protecting our values, we have been working closely with Funk as our trusted partner for 13 years. We especially value the fact that the experts at Funk bring a high degree of expertise specific to our industry to the partnership. As a result, we are not forced to spend a lot of energy explaining our situation. Instead we can simply enjoy an excellent insurance service.”

Prof. Dr Rainer Maas 
Private Radiologist

Management of fire damage at the printing works

An important machine was destroyed in a fire at Kröger Druck and needed to be replaced as quickly as possible. The delivery time for the completely destroyed folding unit would have been twelve months – far too long given the order situation. An alternative option was to purchase a used complete printing machine. Despite requiring complex adjustments to the drive and retrofit procedures, this solution was considerably more cost effective than a new folding unit and was available more quickly.
However, Kröger Druck had filed a claim for replacement at the reinstatement value. Thanks to the assistance provided by Funk, it was possible to identify a creative solution together with the insurer: the used machine that had been procured was notionally settled with the reinstatement value. This enabled the Kröger printing works to invest the difference within three years through the procurement of assets of any kind. “We were very satisfied with this solution, of course”, reflects Managing Director Hans Walter Kröger three years after the fire. “We were able to resume production after five months. Due to the notional settlement of the damage sufficient capital was available for a complete overhaul of the used machine, ensuring that the technical reinstatement value status was achieved. ”

„Ottakringer Getränke AG is a listed family company with a long tradition. In order to live up to our motto –  we give pleasure and beverages – we work every day to not only offer our consumers a unique drinking experience, but also to put a smile on their faces. As a food manufacturing company, however, we are exposed to many risks. Funk, as our long-standing partner in the area of insurance and risk management, provides us with targeted support in dealing with these risks and regularly makes valuable suggestions for optimisation with its industry-specific know-how.”

Christoph Aichinger
Head of treasury, master data & car fleet management

Ottakringer Getränke AG

“At ORACLE we want to be an attractive employer. For us this involves providing basic employer-financed retirement benefits and offering an attractive employer-financed company pension plan. We have been working with Funk in partnership for many years in this regard. We especially appreciate the flexibility and support Funk offers for special projects like M&As.’”

Steffen Mohr
Director Compensation & Benefits DACH/NORDICS
ORACLE

Business interruption – a common risk

The safe processing of chemical substances is the highest priority of the company Schill + Seilacher. Nevertheless, in December 2014, a reactor exploded at the Pirna site in Saxony. The cause was later found to be human error. And the sad consequence of such an error was that one person had died, several people were severely injured and property had suffered major damage, not only at the plant itself, but also in its neighborhood. An unfortunate event of such a serious nature, which included damages in several insurance lines, called for immediate, prudent action of all parties involved. Just one day after the accident, Funk put together an expert team which introduced immediate measures to secure the plant premises and the remaining undamaged equipment. Two experts from Funk saw the claim through from the first day to its final settlement as well. Based on initial estimates, the total damages were first expected to be 100 million. But it very quickly became clear that the business interruption damages would significantly outweigh the property damage itself. On the hand, just the time needed to technically rebuild the plant was estimated to be at least 18 months. On the other hand, the responsible authorities temporarily shut down the whole plant at Pirna – even the equipment that had not been damaged in the explosion. Since the Pirna site served as an ‘extended workbench’ for the company’s other locations, these other sites were also affected by the interruption. To meet customer demand despite the damage, contract manufacturers were sought and hired at short notice. It took one and a half years and dozens of assessments until the operations were resumed for part of the plant. And not until three years later, all of Schill + Seilacher’s equipment that was not affected by the explosion was back in operation in Pirna. Helge Jetschiny, Head of Finance/Controlling at Schill + Seilacher, comments: ‘The shutdown by the authorities would have meant that we would have had to close the site completely. About 120 jobs in Pirna were at risk of being lost immediately. The excellent advice and proactive claims management that Funk provided helped us get to a place where we are now certain that we can continue operations here.’

Your specialist for operational risk and insurance management

As Germany’s largest family-run, independent insurance broker and risk consultant, Funk devises and implements comprehensive risk and insurance solutions for companies across all industries and sectors. We help you develop an insurance strategy for your operational risk fields, from business interruption to accident insurance. Whether your company needs assistance or you are seeking advice and support for your personal insurance requirements, our aim is always to devise an individual risk transfer strategy with bespoke insurance solutions to meet your specific needs and desires. To achieve this objective, we use the entire range of products and services on the insurance market with expertise and creative flair and also implement ART (alternative risk transfer) models when appropriate. Learn more about our skills and expertise in the area of insurance management.

Risk management

Professional risk management is an essential part of every successful business strategy, regardless of economic sector, industry and company size. We see risk management as an instrument for creating added value. Having a holistic overview of a company, for example in clinical risk management, allows for comprehensive risk analysis and risk assessment as well as the identification of potential cost optimisation aspects and an improved planning ability. As a long-term partner, we support companies and organisations with comprehensive, systematic risk management programmes that line up with their specific company risk philosophy. Learn more about our skills and expertise in the area of risk management.

Employee benefits consulting and concepts

Employee benefits are a sustainable component of a good corporate and human resources policy. Appealing models help to attract new employees, motivate the workforce and retain staff in the long term. Funk is your partner in all areas of employee benefits and private provision of executive and key personnel. We provide comprehensive, transparent advice, always with a view towards the long-term benefits for your company. As Germany’s largest family-run insurance broker, we operate completely independently on the national and international insurance market. At the same time as a member of the aba (German Association for Supplementary Pensions), AGZWK (Consortium for Working Time Accounts) and DAV (Germany Actuarial Association) and as a certified pensions consultant, we stay abreast of the market situation and current industry trends. We work intensively with you in a trust-based partnership to determine your company’s needs in order to offer you the best recommendation. Learn more about our skills and expertise in the area of employee benefits.

Solutions

Our holistic service concept aims to provide each of our clients with a comprehensive risk solution that is flexibly tailored to their needs. Our special services take the special insurance requirements of our clients into account. In the wide field of special risk solutions, we continuously seek out innovative products to provide targeted cover of your individual risks. We also take it as a given to provide rounded software solutions in certain areas. Learn more about our skills and expertise in the area of special services.

Funk Personal

We also offer our clients selected products from the private insurance field. This service is for any client with especially demanding requirements for private insurance for them and their families. Funk Personal focuses on premium products and special cover. We also offer flexible online solutions in certain areas. Learn more about our skills and expertise in the area of Funk Personal.