Where as the struggle for political independence from the British was triumphed 49 years ago, economic freedom for our nation is yet to come. This dirge extends beyond the bounds of insurance to other industries especially the financial sector.
It might be wishful thinking to compare ourselves to our former colonial masters' economic status who boast of Insurance contributing
about six per cent to their Grosss Domestic Product (GDP) but what about our fellow African states like South Africa or Kenya?.
Featuring on a live phone-in programme on Radio Incengelo last week I was saddened to learn how many of our citizens are ignorant about
insurance yet demonstrating some appetite to learn.
The gigantic concerns of most stakeholders' border on how things can turn around and have the message reach the masses and in turn have them voluntarily buy insurance.
In adding flesh to the bone I will reproduce an extract from the microinsurance 2012 annual report which captures the barriers to growth that were cited in the 2009 FinMark survey report.
Suffice to state that while the reasons outlined below were focused on microinsurance I am resonantly swayed that they apply to insurance
in general.
The barriers are: Pending formulation of regulations: Although the Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA) has provided a policy statement in support of microinsurance and continues to encourage insurers to develop products, the current lack of microinsurance-specific regulations
means that products and distribution models are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Regulations once developed and in place would smoothen the product approval and supervision processes and bring certainty to the market.
Premium collection: Finding cost effective ways to collect premiums is still a major supply challenge. Most insurers noted that premium
collection makes insurance business for low-income clients expensive given that these premiums are small.
Large volumes are required to achieve much needed economies of scale which in turn requires partnerships with mobile network operators and
other mass-market providers or the embedding of insurance in other products.
Some such approaches are in the process of being tested.
Low insurance culture: Insurance is among the least appreciated financial service by low-income people in Zambia. This is exacerbated
by the fact that most Zambians have no exposure and experience with Insurance.
Lack of trust: While most insurance companies felt that low understanding of insurance is a barrier other insurers felt that the
trust of low-income people in insurance companies is a potential obstacle that needs to be overcome.
Public awareness: There is currently inadequate investment in consumer sensitisation about insurance in Zambia.
Un-regulated informal sector: Although the informal business sector presents a significant opportunity for microinsurance it is not
organised, regulated, or well resourced. This presents challenges in working with aggregators within this sector.
Capacity to deliver: It is cited that there is lack of capacity and skills among insurance staff to effectively design and deliver microinsurance.
In the report there were also supply-side constraints as stated below; Product development: ranked high mostly by non-life insurers. It was
strongly felt that Zambia is well behind other countries in terms of product innovation and efficiency.
Distribution: Though changing, product distribution still requires significant attention both in educating potential aggregators on the
benefits of insurance for their business and in forging win-win partnerships.
Many aggregators are still risk averse and have not yet been convinced of the value of engaging in microinsurance business.
Premium collection: The cost and complexity of premium collection is regarded as a fundamental issue by most insurers, particularly for
voluntary products. Distribution through aggregators and mobile network operators present alternative and viable solutions.
However, so far the cost of premium collection is still a major consideration in partnerships between mobile network operators and insurers.
Market microinsurance products: Market insurance products to low-income people require more attention than marketing convention products. One strategy for activating a market for a microinsurance product is to start with public events such as road shows, which ideally have a consumer education element.
Claims processing: Paying claims efficiently and timely is a critical component in the battle to gain consumer trust and loyalty. This is an area insurers feel requires attention within their obligations.
The Author is a Chartered Insurer with nine years industry experience
Source: Times of Zambia
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