About ERS (Broker)

Who are ERS?

ERS is a Lloyd’s underwriting business (Syndicate 218) that has been a leading motor insurer for over 75 years. As a motor only, broker only insurer, our policies are only available exclusively through UK insurance brokers.

We offer a wide range of cover for private cars, classic cars, vans, supercars, imported vehicles, taxis, minibuses, fleets, haulage, agricultural vehicles as well as for high risk drivers, sports people and celebrities.

What is the benefit of a Lloyd’s rating?

Being Lloyd’s rated reassures brokers and their customers that an insurer has complied with Lloyd’s stringent regulations meaning that it’s very remote that the insurer will ever fail and leave a customer exposed with no insurance. In fact, no insurer has failed since Lloyd’s oversight regime was put in place. This gives security to both customers and brokers

Additionally, a Lloyd’s rating comes with a rating from Standard and Poor’s. ERS’ S&P rating is A+ which means brokers and their customers can depend on our policies.

If a Lloyd’s rated insurer did ever fail, all policies are honoured by Lloyd’s and claims are paid from a guaranteed central fund by Lloyd’s – customer and brokers are always protected if a Syndicate cannot meet its obligations.

If you choose not to select insurance from a rated insurer, we recommend you use the litmus test from BIBA.

How do I contact ERS?

If you’re a broker, visit our Contact page for all your relevant contacts.

How do I become an ERS broker?

If you have customers who would benefit from bespoke motor insurance cover tailored to their specific needs, then we’re here to help. Fill in your details and we’ll get in touch.

What software houses is ERS available on?

Visit our Broker page for information on how to trade each of our products

Companies Act Section 172 statements

The Group and subsidiary companies comply with the Companies Act requirement to disclose a section 172 statement within their Strategic Reports. This is a statement explaining how the directors have carried out their duty to promote the success of the company for the benefit of members as a whole. Please see the attached 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements of ERS DGB Limited which contain the Group section 172 statement.

ERS Online and eTrade (Broker)

What is ERS Online?

ERS Online is the single sign-on destination that hosts our broker trading portal, ERS eTrade and broker claims portal. You can sign up here.

What is ERS eTrade?

ERS eTrade is our online trading platform for the fastest way to trade a range of our products. Find out here which products are available to trade online now and coming soon plus how to sign up.

Getting Started with ERS eTrade

You can sign in to ERS eTrade here.

Can I add a shared mailbox email address as a user so that multiple users can share it?

No, the system requires an individual email address and password per user, for security reasons. If your organisation is unable to accommodate this, please contact agency@ers.com with full details.

What happens if I didn’t activate my account within 24 hours?

Don’t worry, simply forward your activation email to agency@ers.com and let them know that you missed the activation window. They’ll send another activation email as quickly as they can.

Do I need any special software to use ERS online services?

No. ERS is a standard web-based application. You’ll need a computer or mobile device that’s connected to the internet to use it. ERS eTrade is compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Firefox.

Are there any minimum password requirements?

Yes. Your password needs to be a minimum of eight characters, upper and lower case, alphanumeric and have a special character such as !,<*#@.

What happens if I forget my password?

If you have forgotten your password, select ‘Forgotten your password’ from the log in screen and follow the instructions.

If you get your password incorrect eight times your account will be locked. You will need to contact agency@ers.com for a password reset.

What is the difference between an Administrator and a User, and group/branch access levels?

An Administrator is able to add and remove colleagues to ERS eTrade: Download our User and Administrator guides to see how to navigate through ERS eTrade

Who do I contact if I have an issue with eTrade

Request access: agency@ers.com

Password reset: agency@ers.com

User management: Your agency Administrator can add new users to eTrade download the Admin guide [here] if you still have user management questions, contact agency@ers.com

Technical issue: Please send a screenshot of the issue to technicalhelpdesk@ers.com

Trading support: All the eTrade and online trading support contacts can be found on the individual product pages for questions relating to specific Quotes > MTA > Renewals

User support: visit our eTrade Support Hub for user guides and walkthrough videos

eTrade training and user support

If you require training on eTrade we have a range of tools to support, visit our eTrade Support Hub for a range of videos, FAQs and downloads to support your online trading experience with us.

Leaving the EU & Green Cards (Broker)

What is a Green Card?

The Green Card is an international Certificate of Insurance, providing visiting motorists have the minimum compulsory insurance cover required by law of the countries subject to the Green Card free circulation area, as currently permitted within ERS policy wordings (see Foreign Use section).

The policyholder is taking their vehicle into Europe and do they need a Green Card?

You do not need to carry a green card when you drive in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland. Details can be found on www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad

If you are driving with a trailer or caravan, you may need to register it before travelling. Details can be found www.gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration

When is a Green Card needed when driving to countries in the EU?

If the customer is travelling outside the UK with their vehicle and foreign use is extension is covered by the policy coverage. Then the countries covered automatically by the Green Card are as follows:

EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden

EEA Countries: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland

For travel to Gibraltar, please refer to the specific question further down in these FAQs.

Do I need a Green Card to drive my vehicle in Gibraltar?

Under the EU Commission definition of Gibraltar, it is including under the United Kingdom as is the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. This means there is no issue with Green Cards or existing policy coverage offered under the foreign use section.

Do UK Citizen’s need to display a GB sticker on their vehicles when travelling outside the UK?

UK registered vehicles will need to display a GB sticker when driving in any of the EU countries, though you do not need to display a GB sticker to drive in the Republic of Ireland (as stated on the UK Government website).

What if the customer wishes to travel outside of EEA countries?

The Green Card Portal will only cover countries in the EEA, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland as permitted currently within the ERS Policy (where applicable). If additional countries are required then a request will need to be made to greencards@ers.com stating the country that the customer wishes to visit.

Does the Green Card need to be on Green Paper?

No, since 1st July 2020 the EU Commission agreed that the Green Card can be printed on either green or white paper with black ink and this was now acceptable by all participating countries.

Can a customer show a digital copy of their Green Card at the border?

No, a physical copy of a Green Card on plain A4 white or green paper is needed when travelling, as digital copies are not currently accepted. If customers arrive at the border without a physical Green Card on plain white or green paper, they will not be allowed to drive in that country. ERS are permitted to share a Green Card with policyholders in an electronic format, however, to be accepted at international borders they must be printed.

What is ERS’ process for issuing a Green Card?

Policyholders are advised to contact their insurance broker or intermediary to request a Green Card if they're travelling outside the UK in their insured vehicle from the 31st December 2020.

Please note this must be printed on A4 plain white or green paper to be valid and effective dates of cover must be within the period of insurance shown on the Certificate of Insurance.

How can I request access to the Green Card portal?

Brokers can register using this form. Once this has been submitted ERS will review the application and users will get an email once approved

See separate ERS Cover Note and Green Card Portal access FAQ's.

Having issues producing a Green Card through the portal?

If you are experiencing problems producing the Green Cards through the ERS Cover Note and Green Card Portal, then please send your query by email to agency@ers.com and we will provide a response within 24 hours.

About ERS (Policyholders)

Who are ERS?

ERS is a Lloyd’s underwriting business (Syndicate 218) that has been a leading motor insurer for over 70 years. As a motor only, broker only insurer, our policies are only available exclusively through UK insurance brokers.

We offer a wide range of cover for private cars, classic cars, vans, supercars, imported vehicles, taxis, minibuses, fleets, haulage, agricultural vehicles as well as for high risk drivers, sports people and celebrities.

Which brokers do you work with?

We don’t publish a list of ERS brokers, however, if you are looking for a motor insurance broker, we recommend finding a broker using BIBAs recommended list. When you find a broker you’d like to use, just ask for the ERS price on your risk.

What is the benefit of a Lloyd’s rating?

Being Lloyd’s rated reassures brokers and their customers that an insurer has complied with Lloyd’s stringent regulations meaning that it’s very remote that the insurer will ever fail and leave a customer exposed with no insurance. In fact, no insurer has failed since Lloyd’s oversight regime was put in place. This gives security to both customers and brokers

Additionally, a Lloyd’s rating comes with a rating from Standard and Poor’s. ERS’ S&P rating is A+ which means brokers and their customers can depend on our policies.

If a Lloyd’s rated insurer did ever fail, all policies are honoured by Lloyd’s and claims are paid from a guaranteed central fund by Lloyd’s – customer and brokers are always protected if a Syndicate cannot meet its obligations.

If you choose not to select insurance from a rated insurer, we recommend you use the litmus test from BIBA.

How do I contact ERS?

If you’re a policyholder with a question about your ERS policy the best person to contact is your broker, who will know your policy and be able to answer all your questions.

If you need to report a claim please visit here for more information

If you need to report a breakdown here's all the numbers you need

Complaints (Policyholders)

How do I make a complaint to ERS?

If you have any reason to complain about your insurance policy, or us, please contact our dedicated complaints handling department on 0345 268 0279 or email complaints@ers.com

Our office hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Alternatively, you can write to us at the following address:

Customer Relations Department, ERS, Crucible Park, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 0AB

Please quote your insurance document number in any communication, which is shown on your certificate of insurance and schedule. If known, please quote your claim reference number.

If you ask someone else to act on your behalf, you should give us written authority to allow us to deal with them.

How do I make a complaint to ERS on behalf of the Policyholder?

If you have any reason to raise a complaint on behalf of our Policyholder, please see instruction above.

Written authority should be provided by the Policyholder prior to dealing with a complaint on their behalf.

How can I make a complaint to Lloyd’s?

Should you be dissatisfied with our response to your complaint, you can refer your complaint to Lloyd's. Lloyd's will investigate the matter and provide a final response. Lloyd's contact details are as follows:

Complaints
Lloyd’s
One Lime Street
London
EC3M 7HA

E-mail: complaints@Lloyds.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7327 5693
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7327 5225

Website: www.lloyds.com/complaints

If you ask someone else to act on your behalf, you should give us written authority to allow us to deal with them.

How do I make a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)

If you are dissatisfied with Lloyd’s final response, you may, if eligible, refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The Financial Ombudsman Service is an independent service in the UK for settling disputes between consumers and businesses providing financial services.

The FOS's contact details are as follows:

Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower
London
E14 9SR

E-mail: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 9123

Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

How long does a complaint take to resolve?

ERS resolve over 70% of complaints informally over the telephone within 3 business days.

Please see details of each stage of the complaint journey

Why is there more than one part to the complaints process?

As a Lloyd’s Market Syndicate, we follow the Lloyd’s Complaints Process (as agreed by the FCA).

Complaints not resolved informally within 3 business days will be subject to a formal investigation and written ‘Stage One’ response letter in accordance with the Lloyds complaints procedure.

Please see the timeline of a potential complaint journey.

How do we perform on complaints against industry competitors?

One of the Industry standard measures for complaints is: Complaints per 1000 Policies (as a percentage) Please see ERS performance when compared to industry competitors.