Markel Insurance, the insurance division of Markel Group Inc., has launched PlayMicro in Canada via its digital platform Markel Connect, a broker-focused portal for specialty insurance solutions.
The new offering provides short-term cover for sporting, cultural and social events.
The launch is aimed at improving access to event-based insurance for brokers and organisers, while advancing Markel’s digital strategy. By embedding PlayMicro within Markel Connect, the company is streamlining how brokers quote, bind and issue policies for short-term risks.
Markel Insurance provides specialty insurance products across multiple sectors, with a focus on niche and complex risks. Its digital platform, Markel Connect, is designed to simplify broker workflows by offering a single access point for products including errors & omissions, directors & officers, and office package policies for micro-SMEs.
PlayMicro is a dedicated portal offering short-term general liability cover for a wide range of activities. These include organised sports such as competitions, tournaments, camps and practices, as well as events like tradeshows, festivals, parades, theatre productions and private functions. The product also supports events where alcohol is served.
The offering includes comprehensive liability protection, covering participants and participant-to-participant risks, with minimum premiums starting at CAD$150. Brokers using Markel Connect can access the product on a 24/7 basis, with instant decline notifications, fast referrals, flexible limits, competitive pricing, no policy fees and a 20% commission structure.
The rollout currently applies across Canada, excluding Quebec, and reflects Markel’s continued investment in digital capabilities. The insurer is expanding its platform to improve efficiency, enhance broker experience and deliver faster access to specialised cover.
“Integrating PlayMicro within Markel Connect reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Canadian brokers and event organizers,” Markel assistant vice president, Markel Play Brenda McClung said. “Our goal was to create a user-friendly portal, giving clients fast, reliable access to coverage for the sporting activities and short-term events they rely on us to protect.”
“PlayMicro represents meaningful progress in our digital strategy,” Markel head of digital Sachin Rustagi said. “Markel Connect is designed to simplify the quoting experience for brokers across various micro-SME errors & omissions, directors & officers and office package risks. Adding PlayMicro to our primary portal extends that one-stop experience and single-login access for event and sports organizers who need quick, dependable coverage 24/7.”
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