We've seen impressive results, including increased traffic, conversions, and customer engagement. Their team is truly committed to our success, and we couldn't be happier with the partnership.
Jhon
New York
What’s the origin story of Connect Business Insurance?
CBI was founded to bridge the gap between traditional insurance brokerage and the evolving, highly specific needs of modern Australian businesses. Recognising that many business owners lacked brokers who truly listened and understood their industry risks, CBI was created to offer tailored insurance solutions backed by expert support and genuine care.
Why was it founded? Was there a gap in the market?
Yes, CBI was founded to fill a gap in the market for insurance providers who partner with businesses rather than just sell policies. Many brokers offered cookie-cutter solutions without taking time to understand industry nuances or proactively manage claims. CBI emerged to provide smarter, industry-specific advice, proactive service, and meaningful relationships.
Who are our founders or key people, and what experience do they bring?
Connect Business Insurance was founded by Paul Cohalan, an experienced insurance professional with a strong background in the industry. Paul leads a team of highly skilled insurance experts, all of whom bring extensive experience from senior roles within large corporate insurance environments. Together, the leadership team offers decades of combined expertise, particularly in high-risk, business-critical sectors such as construction, transport, mining, and manufacturing. Their deep industry knowledge and commitment to client success form the foundation of CBI’s trusted reputation.
Our mission
Our mission is to provide financial protection and peace of mind by understanding client needs, building trust, and educating them on the best ways to protect their business. We aim to inspire business success by being a true insurance partner.
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What’s the mission or core purpose of Connect Business Insurance?
What values do we stand for?
Seek to Understand
We listen deeply to understand each client’s business and risks.
Ahead of The Curve
We’re proactive, not reactive, anticipating future risks.
We're in it Together
We form lasting partnerships and deliver what we promise.
Deliver With Pride
We exceed expectations and go the extra 1% for our clients.
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What is our long-term vision or goal in the industry?
most trusted insurance
To be Australia’s most trusted, people-first insurance brokerage – one that evolves with itsclients, sets the benchmark in service, and leads with integrity, education, and innovation.
USP & Differentiation Questions
We combine genuine care with specialist industry knowledge, tailored solutions, and end-to-end service. From claim time advocacy to proactive risk reviews, CBI is more than a broker –we’re a business partner. Our personable approach and commitment to simplifying insurance for clients sets us apart.
Yes. We specialise in designing custom packages for industries like construction, mining, logistics, agriculture, aviation, and oil & gas. Each package addresses sector-specific risks –such as contract work
• Full-service claims management – we handle the process on behalf of clients
• Injury management and workers' comp support
• Premium funding – to ease cash flow through monthly instalments
• Education and guidance – we help clients understand and review their policies
• Ongoing renewal planning – we proactively manage timelines and needs
• Over 2,500 claims successfully managed
• Clients in all 8 Australian states and territories
• Trusted by thousands of businesses across high-risk sectors
• Access to over 100 insurer markets for optimal policy selection
Clients frequently highlight our:
• Fast, smooth claims support
• Responsiveness and availability
• Ability to truly understand their business
• Friendliness, honesty, and commitment to doing what we say we will
Yes. CBI partners with a wide range of reputable insurers (over 100 markets), and the team works closely with underwriters and industry groups. These partnerships allow us to offer competitive, flexible, and reliable solutions to clients.
What types of insurance products do we offer?
We offer a full suite of commercial insurance solutions, including:
Public liability and product liability
Workers’ compensation
Professional indemnity
Commercial property and fleet/motor insurance
Contract works insurance
Management liability
Business interruption
Cyber liability
Marine and cargo insurance
Builder’s warranty and owner-builder cover
Agricultural and crop insurance
independent brokerage
We are an independent brokerage. We work on behalf of our clients, not insurers, to find andnegotiate the best policies through our vast network of insurer partners. We do not underwritepolicies ourselves – instead, we source and tailor them through trusted insurers.
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Are our services purely brokerage or do we underwrite as well?
What’s our onboarding process like for new clients?
Our onboarding is hands-on and personalised:
We begin with a needs analysis – understanding business risks and goals
We recommend and tailor policies from our wide insurer panel
A dedicated advisor walks the client through all documents and coverage
Ongoing support includes policy management, claims handling, and renewals
While digital efficiencies exist, our process ensures every client has a real person managing their account – building trust from day one.
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How do we want clients to feel after dealing with us?
professionalism with approachability
Confident, supported, and genuinely cared for. We aim for clients to walk away thinking:"That was easy. They really get my business. I feel protected, and I trust them to handle it."Our tone blends professionalism with approachability – we’re experienced and reliable, butnever cold or corporate. We listen, we care, and we deliver – always with our clients’ success inmind.
We have an excellent Team with diverse skills
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We care about people and inspiring business success.
Testimonials
Customer service was great. It was one on one customer services which is great. Communication was great and frequent. It is like the old time with a face to name. Staff was great to deal with as they always helped and passed on any information required. Response time was quick and affective. When dealing with a claim Paul was very proactive and always achieved a great outcome to every situation.10 out of 10 Connect Business Insurance will be my Insurance brokers for life.
Jhon
New York
We've seen impressive results, including increased traffic, conversions, and customer engagement. Their team is truly committed to our success, and we couldn't be happier with the partnership.
Jhon
New York
Customer service was great. It was one on one customer services which is great. Communication was great and frequent. It is like the old time with a face to name. Staff was great to deal with as they always helped and passed on any information required. Response time was quick and affective. When dealing with a claim Paul was very proactive and always achieved a great outcome to every situation.10 out of 10 Connect Business Insurance will be my Insurance brokers for life.
Jennifer Hocking
Had the pleasure of dealing with Adam today. Although transit insurance fell outside their scope of work he organised a quote and direct sale of another companies insurance for no commission or benefit to him what so ever. On top of that Paul and I are working on a more in depth labour intensive deal most brokers wouldn't not have the know how or the assertiveness to see a long term partnership with. Absolutely stoked with these guys.
Spacebox Storage
I recently brought life insurance for my wife and I and Paul from Connect Business Insurance was able to find the most suited and competitive priced product that met our needs. The process was made really easy by Paul and his staff and would not hesitate to recommend Connect Business Insurance.
Anthony Monterosso
The advice offered by Paul has made a significant difference to how we now view insurance and how it impacts our business. The Connect Business Insurance Team back up Paul's advice with great service and attention to detail. I would highly recommend Paul and his team to any business wanting real insurance advice and continued support.
AKT Constructions WA Pty Ltd
I would like to thank Denise Cummins from CBI for the excellent job she did in helping me achieve, a fantastic new vehicle insurance policy. Her advice was spot on, and it was handled in a very efficient manner. I would highly recommend their services!
Simon Greenfelds
Paul and the team at Connect Business Insurance are a great team to work with. As a busy person they really tell me what is coming up, the risks and exposure to the business and always try and find the right solution for us. After 2 years with them, in our 2nd year they worked tirelessly to help find us savings and was able to pull the deal through. Thanks guys... Appreciate everything you do
John Dinh
Australia
“We have been with Connect Business Insurance coming up two years, Paul and his team have always provided a customer focused service, it has always been about building trust and a longer term relationships, always honest advice and transparency.”
Luke
Western Australia
“We had a hire truck rollover on a client’s mine site. As this was a pretty serious claim, Paul handled this directly and had the insurer engaged and an assessor flown to site immediately. Constant assistance throughout the incident investigation, continual communication and a positive final outcome, having the right assessor on the claim it was found previous faulty workmanship was the cause, so it went from being our company at fault to protecting our business.”
John
Western Australia
“We spent the time with Paul to discuss our commercial construction business, Paul having the operations background and knowledge set him apart from other brokers. Understanding our operational risks, understanding how a business operates and providing the right cover that is affordable.”
Karl
Western Australia
