Germany's market leaders surge ahead: German insurers have options, dominate the market or control a niche

Article Abstract:

Germany's insurance industry has to mold itself with the ongoing European deregulation which has changed the parameters of competition from market share and distribution to domination of the global or local markets. Firms such as the Allianz Group used its expertise on acquisitions and market manipulation to dominate the global market while those with less expertise can lead locally giving the lowest possible costs. The enforcement of compulsory long-term care insurance policy has increased sales. Proactive distribution and sales will help improve services at lower costs.

Competition (Economics), Germany, Cover Story, Deregulation

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Justice for all, windfalls for few: class-action settlements may be great for lawyers but the jury is still out on how they benefit the public

Article Abstract:

Class-action lawsuits often result in high fees for plaintiff lawyers and small settlements for individual class members. In 1995, a suit against Ford Motor Co was settled by paying the plaintiff's counsel $4 million and awarding class members a cellular telephone, if class members subscribed to Ford's cellular service. Insurance companies have become the target of class-actions. In Texas, Allstate Insurance and State Farm Insurance settled a suit for an overcharging practice mandated by the Texas Department of Insurance.

Social aspects, Class actions (Civil procedure), Class action lawsuits

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Russians return to selling insurance; a long-running tax scam ended with a new law. A free for all looms

Article Abstract:

A new law precluding a tax loophole for employers providing life insurance to their workers has effectively redirected Russian insurance companies to their primary task of selling insurance. Until the law was passed, Russian insurance companies had generated $2.5 bil, or 53% of their total industry income, by selling short-term life insurance policies on behalf of employers to their employees so the former would be excepted from paying payroll and excess-wages taxes.

Public Finance Activities, Corporate Tax Deductions & Exemptions, Taxation, Corporate taxes, Employers, Russia, Tax policy, Tax exemption, Tax exemptions

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