All Posts in Category: Press Releases

Tune Protect Strengthens Global Footprint with AirAsia Travel Insurance Offering in Partnership with bolttech Insurance in Hong Kong

Strategic partnership underscores Tune Protect’s commitment to global growth and innovation in travel insurance

Hong Kong, 18 November 2024 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect”, “Group”), a leading digital lifestyle insurer in the region, has strengthened its global footprint through a strategic partnership with bolttech Insurance (“bolttech”), the Hong Kong general insurance arm of international insurtech, bolttech. Together, they have launched AirAsia Travel Insurance for Hong Kong travellers on AirAsia flights. This initiative is aligned with the Group’s commitment to provide comprehensive and affordable travel protection tailored to the evolving needs of travellers in key markets.

“This strategic collaboration with bolttech in Hong Kong reflects Tune Protect’s broader ambition to grow our presence in key regional markets. By partnering with international players with strong local expertise like bolttech, we are delivering on our commitment to innovate and provide seamless travel insurance solutions that cater to diverse customer needs. Situated in the heart of Asia, Hong Kong serves as a gateway to major Asian markets such as China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, making it an attractive market for travellers. As we plan towards further growth over the next two years, we are excited to leverage our expertise and bolttech’s local market reach and expertise to create unparalleled value for our customers, ensuring their travel experiences are not only protected but also enriched,” said How Kim Lian, Group Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect.

How added, “With an expansive network of close to 50 insurance partners worldwide, the Group is well-positioned to onboard new regional partners, establishing ourselves as the premier one-stop digital insurance solutions partner by offering our technology and reinsurance solutions. To enhance our embedded insurance offerings, we will continue working closely with distribution partners to offer relevant protection at critical touchpoints along the customer journey.”

Alister Musgrave, Regional General Manager for Hong Kong & Taiwan at bolttech, said, “We’re thrilled to provide Hong Kong travellers with convenient protection and peace of mind through AirAsia Travel Insurance. Our collaboration with Tune Protect highlights our commitment to improving our partners’ offerings and providing customers greater choice, ease, and a superior customer experience.”

“Our long-standing partnership with AirAsia has allowed us to deliver enhanced protection and convenience to their guests in key markets such as Hong Kong. By providing customised travel insurance solutions, we aim to enhance the overall travel experience by introducing innovative value-added and complementary travel services. Looking ahead, we plan to introduce similar offerings in other key markets in Asia Pacific, reinforcing our commitment to providing comprehensive coverage and ensuring peace of mind for travellers during their journeys,” concluded How.

For more information about Tune Protect, visit www.tuneprotect.com.

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Tune Protect: Strong 3Q24 PAT Growth of 50.3% YoY Driven by Improved Expense Management and Claims Experience

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 November 2024 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect” or “Group”; TUNEPRO, 5230) registered commendable financial results for the third quarter of the financial year 2024 (“3Q24”) with Profit After Tax (“PAT”) rising strongly by 50.3% Year-on-Year (“YoY”) from RM4.8 million to RM7.2 million. Underwriting result also grew positively by 17.3% YoY from RM5.2 million to RM6.1 million. How Kim Lian (“How”), Tune Protect Group’s Chief Executive Officer highlighted several key factors contributing to the Group’s profitability in 3Q24.

Improved net incurred claims and expenses
“Overall, the Group performed well despite relatively lower insurance revenue in 3Q24, falling 6.3% YoY to RM100.2 million compared to 3Q23 which was mainly due to Commercial revenue carried over from 2022 in 3Q23. Excluding the favourable impact amounting to RM7.1 million from the Tenang scheme1 in 3Q23, net incurred claims and attributable expenses improved by RM3.0 million due to lower expenses and better Fire and Personal Accident (“PA”) claims experience,” said How.

How added that lower reinsurance premiums was in line with the Group’s continued effort in business portfolio review, focusing on more profitable segments. The Profit Before Tax (“PBT”) in 3Q24 was also impacted by RM4.0 million realised and unrealised foreign exchange (“Forex”) losses which were due to the sharp appreciation of the Malaysian Ringgit (“MYR”) against US Dollar (“USD”) from 4.7123 to 4.122 in the quarter.

Revenue lifted by Travel segment
“Nevertheless, on Quarter-to-Quarter (“QoQ”) basis, our insurance revenue improved particularly arising from contribution of the Travel segment. Our net incurred claims and attributable expenses improved QoQ due to enhanced cost efficiency as well as better claims experience from the Group’s Fire, Engineering, Cargo and PA business. Consequently improving our combined ratio which fell by 1.3% (YoY) and 11.3% (QoQ),” said How.

For the first 9 months of the financial year 2024 (“9M24”), the Group recorded a Loss Before Tax (“LBT”) of RM5.0 million, weighed primarily by the Group’s exposure to three large fire losses. However, the frequency of these large claims is higher than previous years and is expected to normalise moving forward.

“In 9M24, we incurred Impairment losses on intangible assets in 2Q24 from Tune Protect Ventures, the Group’s digital life insurance sandbox business. Furthermore, Digital Life traction was slower than expected, while the Health business can be offered via Tune Protect Malaysia (“TPM”). On the other hand, the impairment incurred by Tune Protect Thailand (“TPT”) was related to claims recovery of the Rubber Authority of Thailand’s PA account which was fully taken up during 2Q24,” added How.

Excluding these one-off occurrences, the Group would have recorded a Profit Before Tax (“PBT”) of RM11.5 million for 9M24.

Rebalancing investments to enhance returns
The Group is committed to its long term investment strategy of yielding steady returns for the Group and its shareholders.

“We continue to maintain a conservative investment strategy to enhance the Group’s overall investment returns. In the coming quarters, we will continue to rebalance our investments into Low Risk Unit Trust funds, with underlying investment predominantly in Malaysian Government Securities, Government Investment Issues and Government Guaranteed Corporate Bonds,” said How.

He provided further business updates on the Group’s businesses which demonstrated robust growth prospects. In 3Q24, the Group enhanced the User Interface (“UI”) and User Experience (“UX”) for its airline partner’s direct online channel, which has resulted in a growth of 5 percentage points in take-up rate and 12% in policies sold QoQ. The Group has also introduced the Tune Protect Travel Gadget through the airline direct channel to increase take-up rate in the Malaysia market. Additionally, several Business-to-Business (“B2B”) partnerships have also been activated during the quarter including travel agencies in Malaysia and a credit card provider in Thailand.

In addition, the Group’s airline partner has registered positive traction for the Cancel For Any Reason product since its launch in 2Q24. Gross Written Premium (“GWP”) grew by more than 100% and number of policies issued grew by 71% QoQ, with claims experience remaining favourable. In collaboration with a travel technology provider, the Group, via its B2B portal, has also rolled out the ‘Flight Watcher’ service where travellers can access real time alerts via email, WhatsApp or SMS to receive notification on gate changes, flight delays or cancellations, and other updates 48 hours before departure; as well as the ‘Automated Check-in’ service that initiates online check-in procedure to enrol flight and delivers boarding pass to the registered travellers via email.

Leveraging on regional travel ecosystem
“In line with the review of the Group’s business portfolio, we will continue to focus on the more profitable segments of the business while maintaining cost discipline to ensure favourable underwriting results in the coming quarters. With the Group’s ongoing efforts of leveraging on the regional travel ecosystem along with its product innovation, we are optimistic that our travel insurance products will continue to grow positively in the coming quarters,” How said.

Aside to Travel as its focus, the Group remains vigilant in managing its Motor business through pricing optimization, portfolio mix improvement and claims management. The Group’s strategy aims to align the Motor claims ratio at par with industry standards, and is expecting favourable impact in Motor claims going forward.

The overall market outlook remains favourable. The Group remains cautiously optimistic that its business strategies and capital strength will sustain growth in the medium to long term.




1The PerlindunganTenang scheme was a financial aid programme introduced by the Malaysian government to offer simple and affordable insurance plans to the lower income group. The scheme was discontinued in FY23.

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Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia and Tune Protect Malaysia Launch New Termite Insurance Plan in Malaysia

Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia and Tune Protect Malaysia Launch TermiteShield, a Revolutionary Insurance Plan for Termite Damages

Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia, the leading provider of pest control solutions in Malaysia, has announced the launch of TermiteShield — a groundbreaking new Termite Insurance Plan specifically designed to protect homeowners from the financial burden of property damages caused by termites. In partnership with Tune Protect Malaysia, Rentokil’s Residential Termite Treatments now come with added financial protection against termite-related damages. Effective September 1ˢᵗ 2024,

TermiteShield offers coverage for property damages caused by termites to your home contents such as furniture, fixtures, and fittings. By combining expert termite treatment services with financial protection, this comprehensive coverage ensures peace of mind for property owners.

To commemorate this significant partnership, a signing ceremony was held on October 17ᵗʰ 2024. A formal signing between Carol Lam, Managing Director of Rentokil Initial Malaysia, Philippines & Brunei, and Jubin Mehta, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Malaysia was the cornerstone of the event.

In her opening remarks, Carol Lam emphasised Rentokil’s commitment to innovation as part of the company’s unwavering drive to provide the most trusted pest control solutions.

Understanding the frustration that homeowners often experience when dealing with termites, she highlighted the importance of proactive termite treatment and the need for a reliable insurance solution. “By combining Rentokil’s proven termite control capabilities with Tune Protect Malaysia’s reliable TermiteShield insurance coverage, homeowners are safeguarded not only from structural. damage but also from the associated financial strain, ultimately giving them peace of mind”, she stated.

“The collaboration between Rentokil Initial and Tune Protect Malaysia represents a bold step towards redefining home protection. Through the launch of TermiteShield Insurance, we are merging Rentokil’s unparalleled pest control expertise with our tailored insurance solutions, creating an all-encompassing shield against one of the most silent yet devastating threats—termites. This partnership underscores our commitment to providing homeowners with more than just a service; we are offering them the security, peace of mind, and financial protection they deserve in safeguarding their most valuable asset—their homes,” said Jubin Mehta (“Jubin”), Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Malaysia.

Following the speeches, a formal signing ceremony took place, marking the official partnership between Rentokil Pest Control and Tune Protect Malaysia.

Rentokil Pest Control Malaysia is confident that TermiteShield will revolutionise the way homeowners approach termite control and protection. By combining expert pest control services with comprehensive insurance coverage, the company aims to set a new standard in the industry.

This strategic partnership is formed with a clear aspiration to protect people and enhance lives, in the way that both companies know best.

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Tune Protect and bolttech Insurance Partner to Launch AirAsia Travel Insurance in Hong Kong

The strategic collaboration aims to provide comprehensive travel protection for Hong Kong travellers

Hong Kong, 22 October 2024 – Tune Protect Re Limited (“Tune Protect”), the global travel and lifestyle reinsurance specialist, in partnership with bolttech Insurance (“bolttech”), the Hong Kong general insurance arm of international insurtech, bolttech, launched AirAsia Travel Insurance for Hong Kong customers on AirAsia Berhad (“AirAsia”) flights. This is made possible through AirAsia Berhad, the licensed corporate agent of bolttech Insurance in partnership with Tune Protect Re Limited, the insurance programme manager of AirAsia.

AirAsia Travel Insurance is available to purchase via the AirAsia website, AirAsia Move Mobile App and Tune Protect AirAsia website for customers departing from Hong Kong on all AirAsia flights. Customers can choose between the Lite Comprehensive Plan and the Plus Comprehensive Plan, for benefits like personal accident coverage, trip cancellation, baggage and flight delay coverage, and 24-hour Worldwide Travel Assistance.

This initiative is part of Tune Protect’s strategic plan to expand its regional presence and offer comprehensive and affordable travel protection for its customers. By partnering with bolttech Insurance, Tune Protect aims to meet the evolving needs of travellers in Hong Kong. This collaboration is a synergy of bolttech’s local market reach and expertise and Tune Protect’s ability to provide comprehensive yet affordable travel insurance.

Alister Musgrave, Regional General Manager for Hong Kong & Taiwan at bolttech, said, “We’re thrilled to provide Hong Kong travellers with convenient protection and peace of mind through AirAsia Travel Insurance. Our collaboration with Tune Protect highlights our commitment to improving our partners’ offerings and providing customers greater choice, ease, and a superior customer experience.”

“We are excited to launch the new travel insurance product in partnership with bolttech Insurance for AirAsia guests. This initiative enhances our service offering for Hong Kong travellers and aligns with our strategic vision for regional expansion, establishing ourselves as a leader in the travel insurance industry. This strategic expansion is key to our goal of becoming a global player in the travel sector. We look forward to enhancing the travel experience of AirAsia guests by providing them with comprehensive insurance coverage, ensuring peace of mind during their journeys, ” said Janet Chin, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Re.

A key feature of this travel insurance is the On-Time Guarantee, which provides a payout if customers experience a delay of at least two hours from their original or rescheduled departure time advised by AirAsia.

For more information on AirAsia Travel Insurance, visit https://www.tuneprotect.com/airasia/hong-kong/en/home/.

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Tune Protect driving future performance with a focus on Travel

  • One-off impairments and fire claims affected Tune Protect 2Q24 financial performance
  • Excluding impairments and fire claims, marginal PBT of RM1.5 million


KUALA LUMPUR, 28 August 2024 – Tune Protect Group Berhad’s (“Tune Protect” or “Group”; TUNEPRO, 5230) financial results for the second quarter of the financial year 2024 (“2Q24”) were affected by one-off impairments from the Group’s subsidiary Tune Protect Ventures (“TPV”) and its associate company, Tune Protect Thailand (“TPT”), and abnormally high fire losses. Insurance revenue also declined 6.7% year-on-year (“YoY”) which led to a Loss Before Tax (“LBT”) of RM10.3 million.

How Kim Lian (“How”) Tune Protect Group’s Chief Executive Officer elaborated further on the key factors affecting the Group’s 2Q24 financial performance.

Normalised numbers, excluding one-off impairments and claims
“The Group’s profitability was impacted by the one-off impairments from TPV of RM3.0 million, as well TPT of RM4.9 million. Our net claims incurred was also higher as we experienced two abnormally large fire losses in 2Q24, in contrary to 2Q23 where we had benefitted from the better than anticipated claims experience from the Tenang Personal Acccident (“Tenang PA”) scheme, which had since been discontinued,” said How.

Consequently, the Group’s combined ratio increased 9.9% YoY due to the higher net incurred claims and attributable expenses. Increased acquisition cost ratio also contributed to the increase in the Group’s combined ratio, partially offset by a lower reinsurance ratio.

“The lower reinsurance ratio was due to the Group’s gradual exit from the Large Industrial Risk business leading to savings in reinsurance premiums. If we were to remove the anomalies mentioned above from the equation, overall, the Group would have recorded a slight Profit Before Tax (“PBT”) of RM1.5 million,” added How.



Stable investment performance and strategy
The Group maintains a conservative investment strategy while looking for opportunities to enhance its overall investment returns. Moving forward, it plans to progressively increase its investment into Low Risk Unit Trust Funds, with underlying investment predominantly in Malaysian Government Securities, Government Investment Issues, and Government Guaranteed Corporate Bonds.

“The Group’s investment performance in 1H24 has been stable and we expect more of the same in 2H24. We will be rebalancing some of our money market or fixed deposits into Malaysian government guaranteed bond funds where we are aiming for a reallocation mix of 2% in deposits and 98% in low-risk unit trust funds by the end of 2024,” said How.

Capitalising on market gaps and opportunities
The Group is reprioritising its efforts in the Travel segment with various initiatives in key growth areas such as championing the regional travel ecosystem. For example, it is focused on increasing take-up rate (“TUR”) through existing distribution channels, such as AirAsia.

“Through in-depth analysis on our current Travel business, we acknowledge that more can still be done to address the gaps in the take-up rate for the Group’s airline business such as AirAsia. Now that we’ve seen where the gaps are, we will be actively rolling out various initiatives to increase the take up rate and grow our Travel business further,” said How.

To capitalise on various market gaps and opportunities identified by the Group, there are exciting plans to optimise the airline market by seizing new opportunities based on flight durations and meeting the demands of customers with new products based on certain behaviours and lifestyles.

For medium haul flights, there are opportunities to reprice bundled products to be more competitive by offering better product benefits. For international short haul flights, the Group is benchmarking the affordability of insurance relative to air tickets and premiums to airfare ratio. It is conducting some experiments to increase the TUR by adjusting prices to match affordability.

“We are also actively looking at addressing market needs with unique new products. For example, for budget conscious non-tourists we plan to offer gadget protection at low premiums on top of our travel insurance. For event goers and concert goers, we plan to offer event protection at affordable premiums. For affluent travellers, we plan to offer cancellation insurance,” explained How.

In addition, the Group is targeting activation of airline indirect channels such as offline and online travel agents by bundling travel with tour packages, enhancement of the Group’s products at the same pricing and offering agents higher margins as part of the incentive scheme.

“We are focused on both the offline and online travel agency channels within our existing exclusive distribution partners. This will allow us to penetrate deeper into the travel ecosystem by targeting regional players in areas such as travel agencies, hotel chain, cruises and event organisers. To achieve our objectives, we will roll out global innovative travel products to maintain our market leading position and consistent customer experience. We are expecting claims ratio to taper with the growing Travel mix in our portfolio,” How continued.

Outlook
With the travel and tourism sector showing robust resurgence to pre-pandemic levels of 2019, as well as the Group’s ongoing efforts in leveraging the Travel ecosystem in the region, the Group is optimistic that the travel insurance products will continue to grow positively in the coming quarters.

“The Group has reviewed its portfolio and will focus on the more profitable segments of the business while maintaining cost discipline to ensure favourable underwriting results in upcoming quarters. We remain cautiously optimistic that our business strategies and capital strength will continue to fuel growth for the Group over the medium to longer term,” How concluded.
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Sasivimol Choladda Appointed as the New Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Thailand

BANGKOK, 26 August 2024Tune Insurance Public Company Limited (“Tune Protect Thailand”), an associate company of Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Group”), is delighted to announce the appointment of Sasivimol Choladda (“Sasivimol”) as its new Chief Executive Officer. With nearly 20 years of distinguished experience in the airline industry and a significant track record in the insurance sector, Salsivimol brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role and is poised to lead the company into a new era of growth and innovation.

Sasivimol is a seasoned professional with an impressive career background. She has made significant contributions to leading airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qantas, and Japan Airlines during her tenure at Amadeus Asia, where she developed extensive expertise in sales, project management, and account management.

Transitioning to the insurance industry, Sasivimol has spent the last five years at MSIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited as the Vice President of Digital and Affinity, Business Development. In this role, she demonstrated proficiency in handling general insurance products and excelled in digital insurance distributions, catering to both direct-to-consumer and strategic partner channels. She significantly grew their Gross Written Premium (GWP) portfolio and spearheaded innovative initiatives like the first Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) regulatory-approved usage-based insurance, showcasing her expertise in innovation and digital strategies.

At Chubb, she propelled the company’s travel insurance segment to second place in the market based on Gross Written Premiums (GWP) by leveraging her deep expertise in the field. Sasivimol is a pivotal figure in digital transformations, emphasizing cultural alignment and customer-centric approaches. Her strengths in sales, marketing, eCommerce, digital innovation, and partnerships have positioned her as a key driver of business growth and market presence.

In her new role, Sasivimol will report to the Board of Directors of Tune Protect Thailand as well as to the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tune Protect Group Berhad. She will also be a member of the Group Executive Committee (EXCOM).

“We are confident that Sasivimol’s extensive experience, strategic vision, and innovative mindset will be invaluable as she leads our Thailand business unit. Her impressive track record and forward-thinking approach make her the ideal leader to drive our ambitious goals and improve our market position in Thailand. Please join us in welcoming her to our team. We look forward to her leadership in steering Tune Protect Thailand towards new heights,” said How Kim Lian, Group CEO of Tune Protect Group Berhad.

Sasivimol holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science, International Relations from Chulalongkorn University.
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Tune Protect and AirAsia Introduce Enhanced AirAsia Travel Insurance in Indonesia: AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS with Cashless Hospital Admission

Experience seamless travel with comprehensive coverage and cashless hospital admissions

JAKARTA, 29 July 2024 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect”) and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (“AirAsia”) announced the launch of the enhanced AirAsia Travel Insurance in Indonesia, the AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS, featuring the Cashless Hospital Admission services for AirAsia flights departing from Indonesia. Introduced earlier this month, this innovative feature offers travellers a seamless and hassle-free experience when seeking medical assistance abroad.



The Cashless Admission service is included in the AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS at no extra cost. Travellers departing from Indonesia can purchase AirAsia Comprehensive Travel Plus through all AirAsia online and offline booking platforms, including the Manage My Booking feature and Online Check-in via the airasia MOVE app. Premium starts from as low as IDR 60,000 for a return trip plan.

Janet Chin, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Re said, “Our partnership with AirAsia is designed to elevate the travel experience for our customers by offering them comprehensive insurance coverage and streamlining the process of obtaining medical care abroad. The AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS eliminates the financial burden of hospital admissions during overseas trips, ensuring travellers can focus on their journey without worry. As we continue to expand our footprint in the region, we are dedicated to going deep into the travel ecosystem and leverage on partners that are key regional players like AirAsia to provide top-notch travel insurance solutions that cater to the diverse needs of travellers.”

The key feature of this newly enhanced product is the Cashless Hospital Admission Service, which does not impact the insurance premium or any other benefits and sum limits stated in the policy. AirAsia passengers who have purchased the return trip plan of the Travel Insurance for flights departing from Indonesia will automatically gain access to these features.

Aside to Indonesia, the Cashless Hospital Admission is also available for travellers departing from Malaysia and Thailand, and Tune Protect is scheduled to introduce the feature in more markets by the end of the year.

Paul Caroll, AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer said, “At AirAsia, our goal is to offer the best travel experience for our guests. With the practical addition of the Cashless Hospital Admission service to the AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS, they can explore the world with confidence, assured that their medical needs will be promptly taken care of in case of emergencies. This service is the perfect solution for worry-free travels, significantly enhancing the safety and convenience for our guests.”

Aside from the new addition of the Cashless Hospital Admission services, the AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS includes other benefits such as trip cancellation, flight delay, loss or damaged baggage, and loss of personal money and travel documents, among others.

To activate the Cashless Hospital Admission services while abroad, customers simply need to follow a straightforward process:
  1. Contact the Tune Protect – AirAsia Emergency Hotline at +62 2130406202 and provide their flight booking number for verification.
  2. Upon verification, a Medical Agent will notify a nearby Medical Provider and, if necessary, arrange transportation.
  3. A Coverage Letter will be issued directly to the Medical Provider to ensure uninterrupted medical attention.
  4. Policyholders can be rest assured that their medical bills will be taken care of, eliminating the need for claim submissions.




The AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS provides access to over 5,000 hospitals worldwide through a collaboration with the globally renowned care and mobility provider, Europ Assistance with P.T. Asuransi Dayin Mitra Tbk as the insurance underwriter. This feature eliminates unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring ultimate peace of mind for worry-free travel. By combining seamless travel experiences with comprehensive insurance coverage, Tune Protect and AirAsia are redefining the travel experience for customers around the world.

For more information on AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS with Cashless Hospital Admission Services, please visit: https://www.tuneprotect.com/airasia/indonesia/id/product/comprehensive-travel-insurance-plus-plan-id/
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Tune Protect Group Appoints How Kim Lian as New Group Chief Executive Officer

Kuala Lumpur, 29 July 2024 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect or “Group”; TUNEPRO, 5230) today announced the appointment of How Kim Lian (“How”) as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (“GCEO”), effective 29 July 2024.

How’s new role as GCEO will involve deepening Tune Protect’s penetration into the lifestyle ecosystem and engaging with key regional players to establish Tune Protect Group as a leading regional insurance provider in the travel sector. His strategic direction will focus on showcasing the Group’s capabilities as a comprehensive service provider, encompassing technology and reinsurance, to deliver a consistent customer experience and a global product offering.

Dato’ Mohamed Khadar Bin Merican, Chairman of Tune Protect Group Berhad, said, “We are delighted to welcome How as our new GCEO. His extensive experience and proven track record in financial management and strategic development make him the ideal leader to advance Tune Protect as a key regional player. We are confident that How will strengthen Tune Protect into being a stronger sales and service organisation which will continue to grow and achieve greater heights under his leadership.”

How joined Tune Protect in 2020 as the Group Chief Financial Officer (“GCFO”). He succeeds Rohit Nambiar as the GCEO, who stepped down in May 2024.

In his previous role as GCFO, How played a key role in overseeing the Procurement, Legal, and Corporate Secretarial portfolios, alongside his core responsibilities. He was responsible to review and establish key financial strategies in aligning to the Company’s Corporate Strategy by evaluating financial operational trends, measurements, and productivity levels, aside from looking at acquisition and expansion prospects, identifying areas for improvement and accumulating capital to fund expansion.

Commenting on his appointment, How said, “I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of GCEO. Together with our talented team, I am committed to driving sustainable growth and profitability across the region, delivering exceptional value to our customers, strengthening partnerships, and maximising returns for our investors. By leveraging technology and our deep industry knowledge, especially in the travel sector, we will solidify our position as a leading insurance player in the travel ecosystem.”

In addition to his role as GCEO, How also serves as a Director in Tune Protect Re Ltd., and Tune Protect Thailand.

Prior to joining Tune Protect, How was the Group Deputy Chief Financial Officer at AirAsia. How brings a wealth of knowledge in Finance Transformation, Programme Management, Enterprise Performance Management, and Investor Relations. He is a member of the Australian Society of CPAs (ASCPA), the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

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Tune Protect Rolls Out Sports and Digital Initiative at SK Kampung Baru Si Rusa; Empowering the Next Generation towards A Digital Savvy Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 JUNE 2024 – In an era of rapid technological advancement, bridging the digital divide for students has never been more crucial. Addressing this challenge, Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Group”), in collaboration with Nourish Malaysia (“Nourish”), a non-profit organisation supporting under-privileged students through education institutions rolled out a sports and digital-focused initiative at Sekolah Kebangsaan (“SK”) Kampung (“Kg”) Baru Si Rusa, Port Dickson.

Volunteers from Tune Protect Group along with Nourish Malaysia commemorating the launch of the digital and sports-focused programme

(3rd from right) Janet Chin, Chief Executive Officer of Tune Protect Re with (3rd from left) Mustaza Shapiai, Headmaster of SK Kg Baru Si Rusa and Tune Protect volunteers during the launch of the digital and sports-focused programme

This initiative is part of the Group’s Corporate Good (“CG”) Programme. Since October of last year, plans have been underway to donate laptops and personal computers, provide sports equipment such as a long jump pit, refurbish the digital resource centre, and more.

Through two CSR and volunteer activities conducted on 18 May and 25 May 2024, 80 volunteers from the Group spent their weekends working alongside the teachers and students of the school, supported by Nourish Malaysia.

“As Malaysia’s homegrown digital insurer, we are not just looking at providing easier access to protection but also leveraging technology to help Malaysians, particularly the underprivileged to become digitally savvy. This initiative aims to produce a generation proficient in digital skills and give a boost to future athletes capable of competing at higher levels. This further reiterates the Group’s aspiration to be a lifestyle insurer, which is why we are incorporating a stronger focus on skill development and sports,” said How Kim Lian, Tune Protect Group’s Chief Financial Officer.

The CG programme demonstrates the Group’s dedication to actively supporting the community. This initiative underscores the Group’s commitment to serving unserved, underserved, and underprivileged groups, as well as engaging and investing in local communities through various CG programmes and activities. For the record, SK Kg Baru Si Rusa has 799 students with more than 65% from the B40 category.

How added, “We are proud to announce that we have not only met but exceeded our CG commitment, achieving a remarkable 6,954 volunteer hours from 2022 to date, surpassing our initial target of 6,000 hours for the period of 2022-2024. This achievement highlights our ongoing dedication to making a positive impact in the community.”

Tune Protect Group alongside teachers and students of SK Kg Baru Si Rusa

Tune Protect Group’s volunteers engaged in a tug-of-war with students and teachers of SK Kg Baru Si Rusa

Various activities have been carried out such as painting the digital resource centre, installing vinyl tiles, participating in community clean-ups, painting murals, improving the school field area, moving and organising items and conducting activities in the field.

The Group aims for all contributions and activities to enhance learning and sports activities, while also bringing joy and comfort to the teachers and students of SK Kg Baru Si Rusa. Continuing their CG initiative, the Group will organise sports clinics for school athletes, involving a collaboration with a university’s sports faculty to provide expert training and access to advanced facilities. Additionally, the staff of the Group will conduct cyber security talks for Year 5 and 6 students, focusing on basic internet navigation and cyber security. These activities are scheduled from the end of July until December 2024.

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Tune Protect 1Q loss due to lower insurance revenue; to focus in growing cross countries businesses, focusing on profitable segments

Highlights:
  • 1Q24 NWP rose 18.3% YoY
  • Strong growth in Motor and Travel
  • Lower insurance revenue due to conscious decision to exit Commercial business
  • Focus on profitable segments to grow topline
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 May 2024 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect”, or “Group”, TUNEPRO, 5230) announced its financial results for the first quarter of the financial year 2024 (“1Q24), reflecting strategic decisions and their impact on the Group’s performance.

Tune Protect reported a year-on-year (“YoY”) decrease in insurance revenue of 22.3% to RM94.6 million in 1Q24, from RM121.8 million in 1Q23. The decline is attributed to the Group’s strategic decision to gradually exit the low-retention Commercial business. This, and increased claims from the Commercial segment and expenses related to the growth of the Motor business, contributed to a Loss After Tax (“LAT”) of RM3.9 million for 1Q24.

How Kim Lian (“How”), Tune Protect Group’s Chief Financial Officer said, “The move aligns with the Group’s strategy to focus on more profitable segments and enhance overall bottom-line performance. Despite the decline in the Commercial segment, which was the intended outcome of exiting the low-retention businesses, overall Net Written Premiums (“NWP”) saw encouraging double-digit growth of 18.3% YoY to RM90.2 million, from RM76.3 million in 1Q23.”

The growth in the NWP was bolstered primarily by Motor and Travel which recorded double digit growth of 31.6% and 17.5% YoY respectively.

Improved Retention Ratio
The Group’s overall Retention Ratio increased by 2% YoY. However, the Commercial segment experienced a significant decline in retention, recording a negative retention ratio of -149%. This was due to the reinstatement of a RM1.4 million excess of loss (“XOL”) premium following a large Fire claim. In addition, the decision to exit the Commercial business which has relatively lower acquisition cost, claims, and expense ratio, coupled with the growth in Motor business contributed to a Combined Ratio of 109.8%, up from 95.4% YoY.



Stable returns from investments
Tune Protect’s conservative investment strategy, implemented since early 2023, continues to produce stable returns, recording RM9.4 million in 1Q24, an increase of 0.8% YoY. The Group’s investment portfolio comprises 80% in money market funds and deposits, and 20% in fixed income funds. The investment performance for FY2024 is expected to remain stable, influenced by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) decisions and general liquidity requirements of the banking system.

3-year strategy to drive growth
The Group’s 3-year strategic focus from 2024 to 2026 includes growing cross countries and regional businesses through the regional presence of its insurance partners, selectively growing high margin lines of business, and aggressively pursuing the travel ecosystem including hotels, concerts, trips and cruises in its endeavor of establishing itself as a Travel Centre of Excellence (COE).

Growing cross countries and regional businesses
As international travel rebounds, the Group is well-positioned to leverage the capacity and route expansion plans of its partners, which include among others AirAsia, VietJet and AirArabia. As they continue to expand their operational capacity and introduce new routes such as the visa-free routes which include India, China, Japan and South Korea, this presents an opportunity for the Group to grow its travel business to capitalise on the growing demand for insurance.

With its global network presence, the Group will continue to build its partnerships and collaborations portfolio. At present, Tune Protect has a network of 45 insurance partners in 30 markets. Leveraging on its regional presence and existing partners in these markets, the Group is poised to onboard new partners with regional presence by being a one-stop service provider of tech and reinsurance.

Furthermore, to enhance its embedded insurance solutions and services, the Group will work closely with distribution partners to help them offer relevant protection at critical touchpoints along the customer journey.

Selectively growing topline and niche, highly profitable business segments
The Group will continue to grow selective topline and focus on niche yet highly profitable business segments including Travel and Personal Accident. Balancing profitability versus topline growth will be a key component in this area as Tune Protect continues to improve its financial performance.

Leveraging potential within travel ecosystem
The Group plans to fully leverage the broader travel ecosystem, targeting regional players including hotels, concerts, trips, and cruises. Plans include partnering with service providers such as online travel agents, hotels, cruises, and car rentals to build a data-driven travel insurance model.

“We remain committed to adapting and refining our approach to ensure sustainable growth and profitability. The Group remains confident that its effective business strategies and strong capital foundation will continue to drive growth over the medium to long term. Our growth strategy, underpinned by digital transformation, product innovation, and strategic partnerships, positions us well for the future,” How concluded.
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