Dealer groups are being offered assistance in handling sub prime business from MB&G Insurance, the insurance administration company, through its new website at www.fi-online.co.uk.

Dealerships will be able to place proposals via the internet and can then view at any point where each customer's proposal is up to. Experienced proposal handlers in the FI Online call centre will place customers, using pre-agreed criteria, to finance companies chosen by the dealership or recommended by MB&G. Once placed, the call centre can appoint the customer back into the dealership, either to the original sales person or a sub prime specialist trained by MB&G.

As well as ensuring that customers who cannot get finance at the dealership are helped, MB&G will also utilise their 24-hour call centre to take calls from dealer adverts, aimed specifically at sub prime customers. These inbound calls will be directed back into the dealership once a credit limit has been obtained.

Shaun Harris, operations' director and system designer said: “FI Online was developed by working closely with our dealer group clients and addressing the issues that were hindering dealer groups. Issues such as speed, management information, the need for multiple suppliers, information gathering and customer retention we have covered with the web based proposal system and our 24-hour call centre. The ultimate aim is to ensure that customers who have experienced past credit problems are able to buy a car through a franchised dealer group rather than resort to alternative suppliers.”

MB&G have already started business with a number of “high profile” dealer groups and are confident that more will follow.

Information on FI Online and MB&G is available at www.fi-online.co.uk or by calling Shaun Harris on 0191 258 2733.