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Infiniti Insurance at 20: a story of growth, integrity, and lasting partnerships

ARTICLE BY

  • Sharon Paterson
  • CEO
  • Infiniti Insurance

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Two decades ago, Infiniti Insurance began its journey with a product focus, motor warranty insurance. Today, it stands tall as a dynamic force in South Africa’s non-life insurance sector, with a wide portfolio and an on-line platform.

This year marks Infiniti’s 20th anniversary, and with it comes a moment of reflection and celebration.

The company’s remarkable journey is attributed to its strong management team as a collective. Under the visionary leadership of its CEO Sharon Paterson who has guided the company with clarity, compassion and deeply held belief in partnership and people, this team has been the driving force behind Infiniti’s success. Its unwavering commitment and entrepreneurial spirit have enabled Infiniti Insurance to grow from a small niche player into an all classes insurer, distinguished by its steadfast values and technical expertise in insurance. Having expanded significantly over the years, the company now boasts a team of more than 70 professionals who continue to serve clients diligently and support its partners and brokers with commitment and dedication.

From a single product to an all-classes insurer

Founded in 2005, Infiniti Insurance initially offered only motor warranty insurance. This focus soon expanded with a major milestone in 2008, the acquisition of a full license to underwrite all classes of insurance business. With this new capability came an ambitious growth trajectory, allowing the company to expand its portfolio and serve broader market segments.

What sets Infiniti Insurance apart in a crowded market is not only what it offers, but how it delivers. Integrity, technical excellence, and personalised service aren’t just corporate buzzwords – they form the core of the company’s DNA. These values are reflected in how the business is run, how its people are trained, and how every client and partner relationship is nurtured.

Paterson has been instrumental in shaping this approach. “Our success has always been about aligning with the right people and nurturing a culture of trust and excellence,” she explains. This focus has helped Infiniti Insurance earn a reputation not just as a capable insurer, but as a trusted business partner in an industry built on risk and relationships.

Leadership rooted in experience and empathy

Paterson joined Infiniti Insurance in 2007 as a General Manager, bringing with her a unique blend of people skills and insurance expertise. She later rose to Executive Director in 2010 and was appointed CEO in 2013, marking the beginning of a leadership era defined by strategic vision, mentorship, and a hands-on approach.

At Infiniti Insurance, growth is not just measured in premiums or product lines, but in the development of people. Paterson’s commitment to mentoring and professional empowerment is felt throughout the organisation. Staff are encouraged to question, innovate, and take ownership – qualities essential for navigating a rapidly evolving insurance environment.

A company built on real partnerships

“Many companies speak of partnerships,” she says, “but at Infiniti Insurance, we epitomise the partnership philosophy.” This is more than a slogan; it’s a business model. The company works closely with entrepreneurs, brokers, and underwriters to co-develop new products, explore emerging risks, and build solutions together. These aren’t one-off collaborations; they’re long-term relationships built on mutual trust, transparency, and shared goals.

Infiniti’s evolution into a multi-division powerhouse is a testament to this model. Over the years, the company has developed robust underwriting teams in the specialist areas of

  • Engineering, which handles complex, high-value projects requiring deep technical expertise;
  • Construction Guarantees;
  • Marine including small craft and fishing vessels;
  • Aviation;
  • Trucking and HCV (Heavy Commercial Vehicle), providing tailored insurance for logistics and transportation; and
  • Liability, supporting businesses navigating the growing complexity of corporate and personal liability risks.

Each Division or UMA is more than a department, it’s a hub of specialist knowledge backed by real-world experience and a genuine desire to support clients through complexity.

Infiniti Insurance’s ability to serve both niche and mainstream markets, while staying agile and people-focused, has given it a unique edge. “We deal with entrepreneurs who are continually pushing the parameters,” Paterson explains. “That forces us to remain adaptive, curious, and forward-thinking.”

Digital innovation and global reach

In 2016, Infiniti Insurance launched Infiniti Online, a proprietary digital platform designed to meet the needs of tech-savvy consumers. The platform allows clients to manage both personal and business insurance autonomously, a move that reflects the company’s understanding of shifting consumer expectations.

“This platform was created to give customers independence,” Paterson explains. “They can manage their portfolios in their own time, in their way.” By empowering clients digitally, Infiniti Insurance has been able to reduce friction, improve service delivery, and meet younger generations where they are, online.

Staying true to the mission while looking ahead

As Infiniti Insurance celebrates 20 years of service, the Executive remains focused on what matters most: quality, growth, and happiness for clients, partners, and staff. “My mandate has always been to grow the business,” says MD, Dustin Dumaresq, “but first and foremost, we must ensure that we continue to provide an unparalleled level of service to our partners, helping them grow their businesses.”

This customer-first mindset is what has kept the company resilient in an industry defined by risk. It’s also what will fuel its next chapter. Infiniti Insurance is actively exploring new markets, expanding its distribution footprint, and investing in technology and talent development.

The company also continues to invest in bursary programmes and sponsorships, reflecting its broader commitment to education, upliftment, and long-term social impact. Paterson’s passion for giving back, rooted in her background as an educator, remains a central pillar of the company’s identity.

Celebrating a philosophy, not just a milestone

Twenty years on, Infiniti Insurance is more than a company. It is a culture, a way of thinking about business, relationships, and responsibility. From its origins as a focused insurer to its current role as a diverse, forward-thinking player, the company’s journey has been grounded in values that don’t go out of style: trust, integrity, service, and partnership.

Infiniti Insurance has become a name that inspires confidence, not just for what it delivers, but for how it does business. As the company steps into its next decade, it does so with a strong foundation and an open mind, ready to tackle new challenges and seize new opportunities.

Infiniti Insurance isn’t just celebrating 20 years, it’s celebrating the power of people and partnerships to build something lasting.

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