French insurance giant Groupama will operate in Poland under the Proama brand, reported Gazeta Wyborcza.

Explaining the choice of name, Robert Sokołowski, head of Groupama in Poland, told Wyborcza, “Our consumer research carried out in Poland shows that the Groupama name is mainly associated with Groupon, and not with the insurance business. Also, some Polish customers had problems with pronouncing the company’s English name.”

Proama will begin its Polish expansion with the sale of motor insurance policies through almost all possible distribution channels: internet, telephone, multi-agencies and banks. Groupama, already selling policies in 14 countries, wants to enter the Polish market in the spring.

“Currently we are testing our systems and processes. For now, we are employing 117 people,” Mr Sokołowski said.

If everything goes well, by the end of 2012 Proama might hire up to several hundred employees and several thousand insurance agents.

Poland A.M.