Dirk Clement took over as the new CEO of transport insurer TVM in August 2025. He brings extensive experience in insurance and claims management. The continuity of the trusted service is paramount, but Clement is certainly not blind to the challenges that the transport sector, and therefore also the insurers, face.
“I have always been passionate about niche insurance,” says Dirk Clement. “I have a strong network within the broker and insurance world; my profile is very similar to that of my predecessor, who also focused heavily on customer relationships.” Dirk Clement does not want to shake things up, but rather ensure continuity. And that means offering stable services and of course perpetuating TVM’s growth and market share in Belgium.
What do transport customers expect from their insurer today?
Dirk Clement: We make a difference in terms of conditions and knowledge of the market, especially in specialized products such as hull and transport liability insurance. This distinguishes TVM from more generalist insurers.
Prevention pays off
Can you estimate what transporters will gain from their prevention efforts?
D. Clement: Prevention efforts are only successful if the managers of the companies are 100% behind them. If that motivation is there, the damage frequency can be reduced by 25 to 40%. Investing in prevention and safety certainly pays off, and quickly. We also want to draw attention to the driver’s well-being. An employee who feels supported and appreciated is more conscious about his job and that also leads to a lower claim burden.
We obviously have technical analyzes from which we can draw concrete examples. In the first year you will no longer see the claims burden increase. When awareness among drivers further increases, you will see a significant decrease in damages, a trend that often continues into the third year. Then it is a matter of following up on the matter, providing further training and setting up processes to introduce new employees to the company’s safety philosophy.
Is the nature of the claims different than before?
D. Clement: The average claim burden is increasing. Fortunately, the number of road casualties is falling, but the average cost of material damage is rising rapidly because damaged parts often contain sensors and technological components. The costs for personal injury are also considerable.
Can you, as an insurer, stimulate that awareness?
D. Clement: The ‘Knights of the Road’ initiative is a positive example of this. We also visit schools to make children aware of traffic risks.
I also argue for more understanding from the community about what the transporter does. Consumers demand centrally located stores and fast delivery of their e-commerce products, but that also comes with risks.
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New challenges
Electrification also requires different types of insurance?
D. Clement: The cost alone makes comprehensive insurance a different issue. The risks are different than with a thermal truck, for example in the event of fire or short circuit. Damage costs will increase due to the cost of the new technology. Roadside assistance also involves other priorities. The charging infrastructure also requires attention.
There is now a lot of buzz in the Netherlands regarding charging plaza insurance. If companies start sharing their charging infrastructure with colleagues, you need adapted insurance products.
Is Artificial Intelligence useful for an insurer?
D. Clement: I want to guard against using AI as a buzzword. We are of course investigating the possibilities. The predictive ability of AI has potential, although it remains to be clear how we can actually use the technology. Today we mainly use the technology to automate administrative processes. This also requires investments and attracting other profiles. You shouldn’t rely on it today for a quick cost reduction.
Which lines do you want to set yourself?
D. Clement: The consolidation of our market leadership, not only in terms of volumes but mainly based on our specific know-how. In the long term also: expand services, not only offer customers insurance, but also share knowledge and services in terms of prevention and safety. Furthermore: think about insuring the transported goods themselves.
VIP interview
Which slogan best reflects your vision of business?
D. Clement: Returns are achieved with mutual respect, trust and a sustainable goal
What would you like to have invented yourself?
D. Clement: The GPS. This might have saved me a lot of time and money at the beginning of my career: I would have preferred to see my route on a screen than to cause an accident while I was busy with the road atlas behind the wheel.
What does success mean to you?
D. Clement: When colleagues, customers, friends and family know they can count on you, you have built something that goes beyond the numbers on the Excel sheet.
