Santam takes over 100% of local InsurTech in S/A

Santam, South Africa’s leading short-term insurer, has taken over local InsurTech startup JaSure by acquiring the remaining 49 percent shareholding in the company that it did not already own, in a bid to enhance its digital offering.

JaSure offers digital insurance to clients, effectively empowering them to choose what they want to insure and when to do so. Its app allows clients to purchase insurance instantly for an individual asset, with the option to switch cover on and off, based on their needs.

The startup sold a 51percent stake to Santam back in 2020, and said the full buyout was a significant growth enabler that would realise digital offerings for clients across the Santam Group, particularly in its Commercial and Personal (C&P) insurance business.

“We believe we can open up the potential for increased value-add to our clients and the Santam Group through a 100 percent ownership. We aim to leverage the existing and powerful client experience and younger market reach of JaSure, while maximising the Santam efficiencies and wider distribution capability, including the Sanlam Group,” said Edward Gibbens, Santam’s executive head of the C&P insurance business.

Jaclyn Prior, JaSure’s managing director, said, “We have co-created a unique model with Santam that balances JaSure’s entrepreneurial core and digital innovation, and Santam’s depth of insurance expertise.”