NEWSLETTER OF THE INSURANCE MARKET WEEK N # 02/09/2010 VENEZUELAN make adjustments to Insurance Activities Act.
took effect in July the Insurance Activity Act, which requires companies to change the terms of the policies, especially health. Among the changes are the extension of coverage, the premium financing regulations and the creation of solidarity insurance. The companies, according to the text, have a term of 180 days to adapt to the regulations, but the changes were initiated.
Companies have until October to submit their plans to adapt to the Superintendent of Insurance Activity, and then six months to run. However, users are already seeing the changes, because companies are making adjustments. Some companies are revising the rates and terms for financing contracts.
Insurance Industry sources state that there is uncertainty in the market and this explains the changes that occur in health insurance. Higher payments
When Rosario Puentes renewed health policy for your family, the broker suggested that financing of the premiums will be for a period of five months instead of seven, and this cut in the time of payment affects your pocket each month will pay 40% more to continue the same coverage.
The premium financing enables policyholders who do not have enough income to pay off only once the contract payable in installments, but this pattern changed with legal reform.
The new text lays down regulations on premium funding, if they can continue to operate, and can not use the policy as collateral. Insurance industry sources explained that the funding will now have to conduct risk analysis to users, which involves adjustments to authorizations. Brokers
indicate that these changes in the financing scheme is generating concern among the insured, because not everyone can pay cash their policies. Add users who have their doubts about whether to proceed with contracts.
Beyond the changes in the financing, the insured also face rate adjustments. When Estela Calderón last week was to cancel your policy, was told that I had to pay extra.
Although rates have traditionally been reviewed by the authorities, now the supervisory body will have more interference. According to the text, companies can not make "adjustments of premiums for high accident rates during the period for which has been calculated insurance premiums or prepaid health."
The standard adds that "for reasons of public or social interest, the Superintendent of Insurance Activity may approve a flat rate for certain kinds of risks, and companies will have apply in its operations in the area concerned. "Therefore, the rates are more controlled now.
Effects
A report from the firm ODH on Insurance Activity Act reveals that the new regulations will generate a deterioration of the sector. Explains that by taking into account the provisions in the text, there will be a misallocation of resources. "The insurance companies are less discretion in choosing their clients, so try to increase rates to cover the risks."
The report notes that this intervention in the insurance market is part of the Government's strategy in this sector consider strategic. "In the last months the Executive has sought to regulate financial activities. Has developed standards that divert funds to areas of interest and it has achieved greater control over private funds. "
World 08/09/2010
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company services for expatriates worldwide.
Vanbreda CIGNA International and will serve over 700,000 customers worldwide. This acquisition significantly enhances CIGNA's position in benefits expatriates.
services company health Vanbreda CIGNA International has acquired International, based in Antwerp, Belgium. With this acquisition CIGNA get a global reach unmatched benefits for expatriates and further accelerating global growth strategy.
Vanbreda International, privately owned company, specializes in providing health insurance worldwide and employee benefits both intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, including international humanitarian operations as well as customers corporate. With this union, and CIGNA International Vanbreda will serve over 700,000 customers worldwide. This acquisition significantly enhances CIGNA's position on benefits for expats.
In the words of William L. Atwell, president of CIGNA International, the International Vanbreda acquisition is a great example of how CIGNA International is delivering on its strategy for growth in existing markets, your search for opportunities around the world to diversify revenue streams, deepened, and meet clients and their foray into the market for individual policies because Vanbreda International has a growing portfolio in the individual market.
From CIGNA has been valued greatly the incorporation of International Vanbreda, since it has a large presence in Europe and complements CIGNA's position in the expatriate market for corporate customers primarily in North America and as Europe and Asia.
President of CIGNA International also said there was little overlap between the two companies thus becomes an opportunity for both parties. He also highlighted the "cultural fit" between CIGNA and International Vanbreda, taking into account the history of Vanbreda International in the provision of services, retention clients and CIGNA's commitment to continue to maintain these factors.
Under the brand
Vanbreda International, the company will continue operating as an independent company under the leadership of current CEO and COO Rudi Bertels, Wouter Reggers. Bertelsmann hopes that this union will continue to provide excellent service and new products, for example, health and wellness solutions that now offers CIGNA.
Atwell stressed that CIGNA is committed to providing great customer service, open communication and employee satisfaction. He assured they will get this experience a positive for everyone. He further stated that CIGNA look good customer retention rates and an unmatched global reach, further accelerating global growth strategy of CIGNA.
Commercial Insurance office opened Cabimas. Seguros Mercantil opened the doors of its new office in Cabimas insurance brokers and general users, the opening ceremony was held at the East Coast Mall Buena Vista sector, which already operates from the extension of the prestigious financial institution with presence of several representatives of the same national and regional level.
The administration manager of the office, Marianela Cortes said that "for some years we have been expanding our network of offices and some of them have entered the process of adaptation of facilities to offer new services." He also reported that in response to its business strategy in Ciudad Bolivar and Puerto Ordaz are close to opening of new branches.
For its part, Franklin Gutierrez, regional manager of the insurer, said that the requirement of service in the town led to the realization of a series of studies that yielded results positive. "Indeed, there was a good result that commercial activity detected in the area."
In this way, the branch manager of Ciudad Ojeda, called the opening positively, while those who praised the quality of work managing policies in the jurisdiction. "The insurance broker Cabimas is highly competent, professional service with mysticism, it is important the message that the Commercial Group wants to bring the community and we have credibility in the country." For that reason explains that the entity continues in order to promote economic growth in the country.
"With all the expectations we started activities in the office, which is just the foundation for the consolidation of the new branch of Insurance Companies ", in this way, Wilmen Rosendo, business executive and who will take the reins of the new headquarters predicted productivity management the same. Rosendo
explained that insurance brokers, will have a closer place to enter any information, claims processing policies and more without contact or Maracaibo Ciudad Ojeda.
World 09/09/2010 The insurance industry claims its role in mitigating the effects climate change. Four international initiatives in the insurance sector, ClimeteWise, The Genova Association, Munich Climate Insurance Initiative and the Programme Finance Initiative, United Nations Environment Programme, have made a joint statement claiming the role of business in combating climate change and a more active government. The signatories say that insurance is just one of the various aspects of risk management can help combat climate change and sustainable development. In this sense, bring their experience and expertise in the management risk reduction activities and design their transfer. In addition, it encourages the reduction of losses reported to the various economic agents about the risks they face.
On the other hand, it also highlights the development of new insurance products covering risks affected by climatic and meteorological events such as human health, crops and animal diseases. In terms of awareness, the sector can generate awareness among the many parties involved in it, ranging from governments and regulators, shareholders, business, civil society and academia, on the impacts of climate change and adaptation needs.
Regarding the role that governments must play, suggest that they must act to create an effective enabling environment by the insurance, to mitigate climate change impacts in the developing world . Therefore appeal to states to support proposals to catalyze the efforts of adaptation through risk management, loss prevention and risk transfer, as the signatories of the declaration. Among the initiatives proposed figure for governments to invest in collecting data on risk exposure to both historical and projected into the future, which are freely available to the public and multiple applications of adaptation. Representatives of the four states that have signed this statement met yesterday at the headquarters of Lloyd's of London to highlight their role in risk management in developing countries.
Insurance against natural disasters. The World Bank formalized contract with the reinsurer Swiss Re to provide aid to Latin American countries in natural disasters.
The first country has benefited Mexico to receive insurance coverage for $ 290 million. It says is the first time that a platform is designed specifically designed to give governments of developing countries the opportunity to purchase insurance coverage to deal with natural phenomena such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and other risks to costs accessible.
Well, it is action of our Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bank of Guatemala to approach the World Bank for details of this program.