The show must go on

Creativity and customer satisfaction are part of Markel International's claims repertoire, as this showbiz tale reveals.

Comedy may be all about timing, but it also depends on venues. So what happens if the theatre burns down before you can tread the boards and deliver your well-polished one-liners?

This misfortune befell comedian Ed Byrne before he was due to perform at the Peterborough Broadway Theatre as part of a 58-day tour insured by Markel International. His contingency cover included the risk of a cancellation, which meant that Markel was liable for losses arising from the lack of a venue. However, true to the performing artists' maxim that the show must go on, Ed was keen to find another venue as quickly as possible.

Rather than simply pay the claim, if the insured wanted the act to continue, Markel was more than willing to help. Alternative venues of similar size were investigated, and one was found that suited Ed's needs and could be ready in time. The information was passed to the broker, and Ed then booked the venue and continued his tour uninterrupted. The result: one very happy customer.

And there's more, to borrow comedian Jimmy Cricket's catchphrase. Not only did Markel find a new theatre, to maximise the uptake of tickets at the new venue, it provided Ed with a budget to re-advertise the scheduled night's performance. This had two benefits. First, by publicising the event, Ed pulled in the crowds and delivered a successful performance. Second, it ensured that as many tickets as possible were sold for the new venue, reducing Byrne's cancellation losses and thus Markels exposure.

So, the claims team found a creative pay and play solution, which illustrates its commitment to help customers in adversity. In this case, Markel was delighted to make a drama out of a crisis; or, more accurately, a comedy.