About Us

Bidvest Insurance is a company within the Financial Services division of the Bidvest Group. Bidvest Insurance was founded in 1997 and, with the support of the larger Bidvest Group, we have expanded and evolved, becoming successful through consistent dedication to our customers, partners, values, and goals. Bidvest Insurance is a licensed insurer and an authorised financial services provider specialising in short-term insurance.

Our innovative suite of value-added insurance products are sold through our in-house contact centre, which is also an authorised financial services provider, providing sales and broking functions to Bidvest Insurance, as well as a host of other independent partner companies. Its cutting-edge systems have it perfectly positioned to offer both inbound and outbound sales campaigns, service calls, customer care, and any other contact centre based services.

Our Affinity division is dedicated to partnering with like-minded businesses across all industries to design and implement unique and purpose built insurance products that add value to the partners’ customer base.

We pride ourselves on the company we keep at Bidvest Insurance. A relatively small team, with the best experience and skill in the industry, our size allows us to remain innovative, responsive and flexible for our partners and clients. All this, while our name and the backing of the Bidvest Group enable us to offer what larger insurers can, from a financial and capacity perspective.

Our Journey

1997

Bidvest Insurance opens its doors in Durban

2001

Contact Centre division is launched

2013

Product suite expanded

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2014

Theftbuster launched as a first of kind product in South Africa

2014

Johannesburg office opened

2017

New company values launched

2017

Keyguard launched as a first of its kind product in South Africa

2019

Launched our Affinity Business Channel

2020

Expanded product suite to include lifestyle products

2020

Launched Personal Accident

2020

Launched Driver Assist

2020

Launched Cyber Rescue

2020

Launched Legal Angel

Our Values

At the heart of our brand lies a set of values that define how we do business. A positive attitude, unstoppable energy, innovation through insight and understanding are carried throughout all that we do. These are the values that guide how we engage with our people, our customers, our business partners, our community and our environment.

These are the values that show us how to BE.

Our Team

At Bidvest Insurance, teamwork and the delivery of excellent service form our core focus.

Our internal teams are led by our management team, comprised of esteemed field experts.

Phillip Donnelly - Managing Director

Phillip Donnelly joined the business in 1992. During his time at Bidvest he has held a number of management positions in various businesses, including motor retail, sales and marketing, and insurance.

Phillip was appointed to both the short term and life boards in 2006. He previously ran the short term insurer in 2011, growing it from a single product business to a multiple product provider. He is committed to delivering value for customers, partners and shareholders which, together with his passion and energy, led to his appointment as managing director in 2017.

Devan Pillay - Head: Operations

Devan started his career in 1991 with the Bear Group, which merged with McCarthy and was subsequently bought out by Bidvest in 2008. He has 11 years’ experience in furniture insurance and 15 years in personal lines and commercial insurance. He has a passion for finance, and previously managed the Bidvest Insurance finance division. Devan was appointed head of operations in 2018.

Ozzy Jacobs - Head: Human Resources

Ozzy is a qualified Human Resources Professional with a wealth of experience in the HR field. He started his career at Independent Newspapers in 1994 before joining McCarthy Motors, now BidAuto, in 2002 where he spent 12 years part of which was at Bidvest Financial Services. He then moved on to RCL Foods, spending 5 years as an HR Executive before returning back home to Bidvest Insurance as their Head: HR on 01 July 2019.

Slindile Nzimande - Head:Compliance & Legal

Slindile is an approved Financial Services Conduct Authority Compliance Officer, a member of the Compliance Institute of South Africa and has completed her FAIS Regulatory Board Examination for Key Individual. She has 17 years of regulatory, governance and compliance risk management experience, gained during her tenure with Nedbank, KZN Gambling & Betting Board, eThekwini Municipality and Thuo Gaming. Before joining Bidvest Insurance in 2021, Slindile played a key role in the establishment and oversight of compliance and combined assurance frameworks and strategies.

Ian Human - Head: Affinity Channel

Nevan Reddy - Head: IT

Join Our Team

We’re on the search for a talented, energetic and experienced people to join our innovative team at Bidvest Insurance!

Our Ambassadors

We believe in partnering with people who embody the values & passion of our company and we are extremely proud to have such fantastic individuals in our team of Bidvest Insurance brand ambassadors!

Jane Linley Thomas

East Coast Radio DJ and Kindness Ambassador

Odwa Ndungane

Rugby Legend and Supersport TV Presenter

CSI

At Bidvest Insurance, we take our responsibility to the communities we operate in very seriously. Every member of staff actively participates in various causes across the country. We partner with cause-based organisations involved with education and youth empowerment across South Africa.

Here is an overview of just some CSR work invested into by Bidvest Insurance. You can gain more insight into these by browsing our Blog at any time.