Wunelli Limited was created in September 2006 to develop a vehicle telematics solution that is financially viable and desirable to both insurers and customers. Since the formation of the company, Wunelli has invested significant time and resources into telematics research and development including:
- Market and product research and development
- Patent applications
- Technical specifications and prototype devices
- A real world proof of concept pilot study
- A value chain and financial proposition
- A customer portal and SEO [Search Engine Optimisation]of the website
In September 2008, Cobra Automotive Technologies who are the chosen Hardware partner for the coverbox offering, invested in Wunelli Ltd. The brand Cobra Wunelli was devised to be used across Europe for the provision of motor insurance using telmatics; Smart insurance.-
The initial Smart Insurance launch is in the UK on 8 Dec 08. The product and service will be marketed under a new brand called ‘coverbox’ and in anticipation of this, a trip database has been developed which allows easy monthly billing process to the customer of journey data . In addition, there has already been interest from other European countries in a ‘Smart Insurance’ offering. The coverbox aim is to become ‘The leading pay as you drive insurance provider in the UK’ within a year of the launch date.
The launch of coverbox is the initial step in the company objective to be ‘The key supplier in Europe of floating and OBD vehicle data’.
Wunelli Directors are from an insurance company, broker, data and telematics backgrounds.
Sandy Dunn - Chairman & Chief Executive of both BDML and Wunelli Ltd
Sandy Dunn has over 35 years' experience in the insurance sector in Europe. He is the non-executive Chairman of both and BDML Connect Limited and Bluefin (formerly Venture Preference Limited).
Prior to establishing BDML, Sandy Dunn accumulated a vast experience in the insurance industry having established Eagle Star's direct operation in 1988/89 and then launching the Touchline direct insurance
business in 1993. He was also director of the GAN Group from 1992 to 1998 and established and was Managing Director of Rossborough Insurance Services Limited (now BDML) from 1993 to 1998.
Sandy has held a number of senior positions on industry bodies such as the CII and ABI, and is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Broker.
Sandy established Wunelli Ltd as a research and data company to supply telematic hardware and software; firstly to the motor insurance industry and later other sectors both in the UK and internationally. As
chairman Sandy will focus on the strategic direction of the company and its aim to be a key vehicle data company in Europe.
Paul Stacy - Managing Director
Paul first joined the insurance industry through management consulting for Accenture (financial service strategy practice), then worked at AXA Asia Pacific practice based in Melbourne, Australia.
Paul joined BDML in May 2004 as Operations Director and was responsible for all activities in all BDML's Operational and Systems departments. In addition, Paul also managed key account relationships and lead BDML/Capita’s move into the IFA and broker GI market. In 2006 Paul was recognised as Young Achiever of the Year in the Insurance Times awards. Paul holds a BEng (Hons), and an MPhil (Operational Mathematics).
Paul left BDML in July 2008 to join Wunelli Ltd as Managing Director. He is a founding member of the company and is key in launching the coverbox pay as you drive Insurance in Dec 08, Paul helped found the
company as he believes that offering customers control over their insurance costs and providing the industry with data to enable them to tailor individual policies is the next evolution for motor insurance in the UK. coverbox will be the only panel based pay as you drive insurer in the country.
Penny Searles - Commercial Director
Penny Searles has over 15 years experience in Financial Services and has worked in the Mortgage and Insurance Industry in both the UK and Europe. Penny has worked with both UK banks and building societies, in operational and sales roles. Penny joined the board of TML, part of the Kensington Group in 2003 as Chief Operating Officer and has a wealth of knowledge in direct to consumer sales and marketing, in addition to having a strong operational background.
In 2006 Penny left Kensington to join the board of a Spanish Mortgage & Insurance Operation and was responsible for launching a cross border, multi lingual broker.
Penny returned to the UK to join Wunelli Ltd to assist in both the launch of the coverbox insurance policy and in forming the data strategy for the company.