LAS VEGAS (Nov. 3, 2007) — When Zurich Financial Services Group released its Unicover® V policy in 1993, the company, then Universal Underwriters, it almost immediately started compiling a list of items to include in its next version.

Well, that version is here, as Zurich on Friday morning announced the launch of Unicover VI, its package policy for automotive businesses including collision, mechanical, tire and parts businesses. Bob Tschippert, senior vice president Special Account Services for Direct Underwriters, a business unit of Zurich, said there were more than 1,000 items on that list.

Some of the big new concerns addressed in the latest version are in identity theft and electronic fraud, according to Tom Bradley, Direct Underwriters president. Tschippert says this forward thinking has been addressed in the past, such as when Unicover IV addressed discrimination and harassment.

“Fast forward to see where we are today with that type of exposure and the types of claims that we see, we were so far ahead of the industry and understanding the exposures that our customers had, we were able to solve their problems,” he says. “Today, we’re looking at the improvement in identity theft. Things our customers would say, ‘Well, I don’t really have that push.’ Well, you do, and we’re there to try and help you understand the exposure you have.”

Direct importing also is addressed in the newest version. This is especially a concern in light of recent recalls and problems faced in a variety of markets, including by New Jersey-based Foreign Tire Sales, which is involved in a recall of tires made in China. By working with associations and customer advisory boards, they do surveys at the renewal process. By going through a series of questions, they figure out what has changed with the business and raise the proper awareness, Tschippert offers.

“It’s a big education process, too, for people to draw that link and say, ‘Well, gee, I’ve taken on liability for something that I’ve never had before,’ and that’s a threat to their business and their livelihood,” Bradley says.

Unicover VI is approved in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania. Approvals in Connecticut, Florida and Wisconsin are expected soon, according to Bradley.