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Discuss your insurance →
About Genoa
In 1347, in the bustling port city of Genoa, Italy, the world’s very first insurance contract was written. Merchants and shipowners, faced with the risks of trading across uncertain seas, sought a way to protect what mattered most to them - their livelihoods, their cargo, and their futures. That simple yet revolutionary idea of sharing risk laid the foundation for the global insurance industry as we know it today.
At Genoa Insurance Services, we’ve taken inspiration from that moment in history. Just as those early merchants needed confidence to navigate uncharted waters, we believe modern businesses and individuals deserve the same assurance in today’s complex world.
Our name is a reminder that insurance has always been about more than policies and paperwork - it’s about enabling progress, protecting dreams, and giving people the freedom to move forward with certainty.
From the ports of 14th century Genoa to the challenges of the 21st century, the principle remains the same, when you’re backed by the right protection, you can face the unknown with confidence.
That’s what we stand for.
Why Choose Genoa
Genoa Insurance Services is an independent Perth-based insurance broking firm. While we have considerable national and international expertise and access to extensive insurance markets, our focus remains firmly on providing our clients with personalised, responsive local service.
We make complex insurance simple. Insurance can be complicated, but our advice doesn't need to be. We explain issues in plain English, helping our clients understand their risks, their options and the reasons behind our recommendations — without the insurance jargon.
We are solutions focused. We don't simply present insurance options, we work with our clients to develop strategies that address their specific risks and objectives. Importantly, our clients are involved throughout the process, particularly when determining the strategy we take to market.
Who We Are
Cole is the founding Director of Genoa Insurance Services.
He began his career in the insurance industry in 1987 with the State Government Insurance Office (SGIO), where he worked as an underwriter in the Commercial Insurance Division. After four years, Cole entered the realm of insurance broking and joined a highly regarded nationwide insurance firm specialising in the heavy transport and industrial sectors. Within two years, he was appointed Western Australian State Manager.
Cole later moved into a senior broking role within the mining, energy and construction division of an international insurance firm, where he gained extensive experience dealing with Lloyd’s of London, as well as other key insurance markets in Germany, Switzerland, France, Africa and Singapore.
In 2005, Cole became one of six Directors of CKA Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (CKA), a newly established insurance broking firm specialising in the mining and resources sector.
In 2019, Cole embarked on a new venture, founding Genoa Insurance Services, where he has continued to build on his extensive experience in risk identification, insurance program design and placement, and the day-to-day servicing of clients.
Throughout his career, Cole has developed expertise in managing complex insurance programs across a diverse range of industries, including mining, natural resources, heavy industry, contracting, manufacturing, construction, marine, technology, and financial and professional services.
Outside of insurance, Cole has a strong interest in creative and hands-on pursuits. He has a long-standing passion for photography, with a particular interest in live music and creative imagery, and has developed his own style of photography that can be viewed at www.maguireimagery.com . He also enjoys building and customising motorcycles, as well as custom spray painting and other forms of creative design. These interests provide an outlet for the same level of creativity, attention to detail and individuality that he brings to his professional work.
Our Approach
We believe outstanding insurance outcomes come from a thorough understanding of our client's business and a disciplined approach to the insurance market.
We take the time to understand your business, its operations, objectives and the risks that matter most.
We identify the risks and characteristics of your business that are likely to influence an underwriter's assessment of the risk and, ultimately, the premium.
Working with you, we anticipate potential underwriter concerns and develop appropriate responses and strategies before approaching the market.
We prepare comprehensive underwriting submissions that clearly present your business and the quality of your risk. Where appropriate, we establish premium targets and provide insurers with the rationale and supporting information necessary to achieve them.
Our preparation is supported by an extensive and targeted marketing campaign, which may include presentations by our clients directly to insurers. By presenting the risk effectively and engaging multiple insurers, we create meaningful competition for the business.
The result is a stronger negotiating position and the opportunity to achieve the right combination of coverage, terms and pricing for our clients.
Member of Steadfast Group Limited
Genoa is a part of the Steadfast Group (ASX:SDF) which was established in 1996 and is the largest general insurance broker network and the largest underwriting agency group in Australasia, with growing operations in Asia and Europe.
For more than 26 years Steadfast has substantially grown its network to 427 brokerages, built a portfolio of 29* underwriting agencies and acquired a 60% interest in the UnisonSteadfast network, a global insurance broker network with over 243* brokers in 140 countries.
Superior Market Access
Steadfast Group has developed strong relationships with carefully selected insurers, underwriting agencies, premium funders, and strategic partners.
Steadfast brokers benefit from the negotiating power of Steadfast Group. That means more competitive prices, better policy terms, broader coverage and customised solutions – so you can feel confident the future of your business is secure.
Steadfast Technologies
Steadfast Technologies provides exclusive, market-leading technology to support broker and underwriting agency operations, underpinning interactions with insurer partners and to support your business insurance outcomes.
By providing Genoa with innovative tools, Steadfast Technologies ensures the best solutions for you.
The Steadfast Client Trading Platform
The Steadfast Client Trading Platform (SCTP) is a leading digital marketplace, giving Steadfast brokers access to domestic, commercial and strata policies offered by insurers.
SCTP benefits for clients include:
Greater pricing competition and improved coverage.
Market-leading policy wordings.
Instant policy issue, maintenance, and renewal, all on a market contestable basis.
Supported by Steadfast claims triage.
For more information, please follow the links below.
Australia - www.steadfast.com.au/about-us