By Dipo Olowookere
SureBüddy, an android application that has today launched into market, brings sponsored insurance and insurance related products to Uganda.
SureBüddy is simple and easy to use – the app renders advertisements, the consumer watches the ads, and then receives free cover as a reward. Ad images are non-intrusive, use very little data, and disappear with a click.
SureBüddy’s cover is sponsored for the user as all costs are paid by the advertiser. SureBüddy then uses the advertising revenue to reward the user directly with cover, and in this instance, the consumer benefits from watching advertisements.
“Strive Masiywa once said something that became part of my belief system.” says Johan Basson, SureBüddy spokesperson, “He said that if you identify a human need and reach out to meet it you have the most sure-fire way to succeed in business.”
Insurance penetration in Africa is amongst the lowest in the world, even though there is a crucial need for it. SureBüddy has taken insurance offerings to the people via technology – a platform to make these products less-intimidating, understandable and affordable.
“The distrust in insurance products forced us to start with non-insurance products. Starting with screen cover means that clients will feel immediate gratification – when their phone screens break, they can have them repaired immediately. The only thing that the User will ever pay for is an administration fee to the repairer of maximum 10% of the repair value. This will start building trust in the concept of insurance and the initial purchase decision is easy because it free. Over time, they can change to insurance products such as life cover, as their understanding and trust increases from this experience,” says Basson.
To gain consumer trust towards free credible insurance plans, SureBüddy will implement the first phase of its service by providing screen cover in conjunction with Phone Doctor, and have partnered with Africell, one of the fastest-growing mobile telecommunications groups in Africa
“It’s an honour for us to be associated with such a great innovation. For us at Africell, it’s about giving our customers the best services at the cheapest costs on the market.
“We understand that mobile phone technology has shifted from physical keypads to touch screens so user experience is largely dependent on a functional smartphone screen. SureBüddy is pledging to help us ensure our customers’ phone screens stay intact, and are fixed whenever they break. This is a milestone for us.” Milad Khairallah, Africell Commercial Director noted.
Uganda, a country with a high smartphone penetration, is the first-to-market for SureBüddy. “Uganda is a rapidly developing country, and we believe that we can have an immediate impact in increasing the quality of life of Ugandans,” says Basson.
SureBüddy plans to roll out into 11 Sub-Saharan Africa countries, as well as India, Turkey, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan with South American countries to follow.
SureBüddy will work closely with Swiss Re, one of the biggest Reinsurance companies in the world, to ensure that they find the right insurance partners in every country.
“We are excited to work with an innovative company like SureBuddy and to support them with our expertise in this important growth region. It is clear that we need to consider clever ways of closing the ever increasing protection gap in the world. Swiss Re is committed to make the world more resilient, apply fresh perspectives and create smarter solutions with our clients to help the world move forward. SureBuddy will make sure that we get more protection to more consumers in a very innovative way.” says Thys Nieuwoudt, Swiss Re CEO Life & Health Africa.
Africell android users will receive an SMS over the next few days allowing them to register for this benefit.
Adedapo Adesanya