Insurance in the digital economy: science, practice, education

The monograph deals with the transformation of the insurance business in the conditions of digitalization. The logic of scientific analysis is based on the impact of digitalization on all environmental systems of the insurance business, which, in turn, require the transformation of all aspects of the insurer's activities. The scientific analysis of the usefulness of insurance services is given, the influence of digitalization on the formation of information flows and business processes in the insurance business is considered. The experience of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey in the development of digitalization of the insurance market is summarized, development problems are formulated and a number of practical recommendations are given. A significant block of material is devoted to the analysis of social aspects of the insurance business, including the tasks and opportunities of insurance organizations in the formation of sustainable development. The problems of ensuring the quality of insurance services in the conditions of digitalization, regulatory activities in this area, protection of the interests of the consumer of insurance services are considered. New approaches to training personnel for the insurance market are considered, domestic and foreign experience is summarized. The results of a study of the use of digital technologies at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation and partner universities are presented. For a wide range of readers interested in insurance problems. It can be useful for students, postgraduates and teachers of economic universities.

Change of business models of Ukrainian insurance companies in the conditions of COVID-19

Insurance companies form their own business models based on the interests of stakeholders. Changes in business models are due to the impact of COVID-19, deepening digitalization and customer orientation. Accordingly, the aim of the study is to systematize the approaches to business models of insurance companies using emerging market country (Ukraine) as an example, and to show the change in a business model according to the CANVAS approach under the influence pandemic. In accordance with the purpose of the study, business models of insurance companies were systematized and grouped into blocks: value-based, structural, complex, and strategic. The strategic block identifies strategic changes in the activities of insurance companies and reflects trends on the insurance market. With this in mind, business models of insurance companies should reflect the set of strategic decisions, their architecture, structure and facilitate the management of value creation operations on the insurance market. Business models have changed from traditional to innovative, hybrid and digital-oriented. The main changes in the business models of insurance companies are omnichannel communications, the launch of chatbots, Big Data, Mobile ID, Bank ID, online access to registers, Blockchain. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in business models towards socially responsible business and adherence to sustainable development goals.

Risk Self-Selection and the Concept of Equilibrium in a Competitive Insurance Market

The purpose of this paper is an analysis of the presence of self-selection mechanisms on the market that could bring the market closer to the separating equilibrium state, in line with the Rothschild–Stiglitz equilibrium model and its subsequent modifications. An example is the Polish market of compulsory third-party liability insurance of vehicle owners. This paper describes this market in terms of both its structure and its financial results. The main focus is on describing the assumptions of the Rothschild–Stiglitz model for markets operating under the conditions of information asymmetry and based on the self-selection mechanism, allowing for an unequivocal determination of the insured’s profile without the need to actually observe the insured’s behaviour. Finally, we show that thanks to the self-selection induced by the possibility of driving behaviour monitoring, the industry can minimise the negative effect information asymmetry has on the motor insurance market. This can be achieved, for example, by observing the choices made by the insured after being offered a new voluntary contract with a premium based on telematics data. Our analysis was carried out with the use of three selected characteristics that can determine the insured’s risk profile, i.e., distance covered, self-assessment, and insurance premium paid; the significance of the latter—although it may be intuitive—is questionable at commonly accepted significance levels. Therefore, the main result is that although there is some evidence on the disputed matter, there can be no definitive conclusion—especially in terms of risk as measured by insurance premium.

In search of opportunities for development of microinsurance by drawing on the experience of previous generations

Motivation: Notwithstanding the 30 years of the market economy, the Polish insurance market still reveals an exceptionally low level of penetration rates and insurance density. Attempts should be made to reduce the protection gap by introducing and popularising microinsurance products. Aim: The research aims to establish whether there exists a need for microinsurance products in Poland and whether there are conditions for its development, which groups it should target and what methods and institutions can reduce the protection gap. Results: Data analysis demonstrated that in Poland the lowest use of insurance coverage to manage risk occurs in the lowest income households, comprising groups of people with relatively low education: disability pensioners, farmers and workers. This results in lack of or limited access to insurance. Looking for a way to counteract this phenomenon, I suggest introducing and popularising microinsurance products targeting towards the above-mentioned groups. However, the use of remote microinsurance distribution channels may prove highly ineffective. Considering the above and the lack of trust in entities operating in the insurance market, it is recommended to create a legal environment enabling the inclusion of institutions and organisations acceptable to and enjoying the trust of these circles in processes involving marketing, distribution and, partially, the servicing of microinsurance. These players should consist of civic organisations, such as volunteer fire brigades, rural housewives’ clubs, activist organisations from religious communities, as well as those set up for mutual protection, e.g., relief and loan funds and savings and loan funds. A separate group targeted by microinsurance should consist of people who are young, open to new trends and interested in obtaining insurance coverage for a limited time, e.g., for the short period when they use a means of personal transport or other rented equipment, for which coverage can be obtained and paid for quickly and without undue formalities.

Test of Asymmetric Information in the Nepalese Reinsurance Market

Background: The imperfect information can cause an imbalance of power which may lead to market failure thus collection of information is very essential in today’s business world therefore, the availability of the correct and accurate information is very crucial for making sound economic decisions. Thus, information asymmetry has been a very pertinent issue where economic transaction takes place insurance market is not far behind. As, reinsurance provides huge indirect capital to the insurance industry, providing correct information’s like premium earned, claim by the insurer to the reinsurer’s for fair pricing of reinsurance premium along ensuring top rated reinsurance company remain in Nepalese insurance industry. Objectives: This study aims to examine whether there remains asymmetric information in Nepalese insurance market with reinsurer’s perspective in different portfolios such as fire, marine, motor, engineering and miscellaneous as well as combining all portfolio in aggregate. Methods: The study uses descriptive and causal relation research design. Further, the study uses secondary data of 14 nonlife insurance from 2008/09 to 2018/19 with 168 firm year observations Result: Results of the study revealed that that only in fire, marine and overall portfolios there exists strong asymmetric information. Rest of the portfolio like motor, engineering and miscellaneous there is no evidence of existence of asymmetric information. Conclusion: Existence of asymmetric information is mostly an inevitable part as one party always tries to avoid information to others for the sake of benefit. However, the existence of asymmetric information to a large extent may lead to unhealthy relations between the parties and may bring the cold war distortion of relations. Thus, the finding of the studies is beneficial to the Nepalese nonlife insurers as insurers need to provide correct and accurate information to the reinsures Implication: To cope with asymmetric information in the Nepalese insurance industry, this study provides strong evidence to provide correct and accurate information’s to the reinsurers else top rated reinsurers might withdraw their presence from the Nepalese market which will have adverse effect in the insurance industry.

INSURANCE MARKET TRANSFORMATION DURING PANDEMIC PERIOD

The article is devoted to the research analysis of the current patterns of development of the insurance system during the pandemic. Insurance is an integral part of the life of every person and enterprise. In this paper, studies of insurance as part of the economy in a pandemic are carried out. The problems of the work of insurance organizations in the conditions of a pandemic are identified, as well as ways to solve them are outlined. Summing up, we can say what big changes have taken place not only on the economy market as a whole, but also on insurance.