Abstract
This Financial Insights report analyzes the complex developments taking place
in the mature insurance markets of Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
It categorizes these developments into structural changes, which involve basic
movements in buyer power, supplier power, intensity of rivalry, other industry
forces, and critical issues which may eventually result in structural changes.
It is risky from a corporate survival and competitive strategy viewpoint for
insurers to ignore structural changes such as demutualization and climate
change and critical issues such as the need for a refresh of processing
processes and technology. All of these changes and issues have the potential to
cause significant monetary loss to insurers, and they arise from marketplace
characteristics that will persist in the medium to long term.
"In mature insurance markets, the most effective corporate strategies are built
on a clear identification and ranking of risks in the competitive environment
coupled with a detailed action plan for meeting those risks. Generic strategies
such as ' cost leadership' or ' niche establishment' aren' t good enough," says
Batara Siagian, senior research manager.
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- Financial Insights Opinion
- In This Report
- Situation Overview
- Australia
- Figure: Australia Total Insurance Premium Revenue, 2001-2007
- Japan
- Figure: Japan Total Insurance Premium Revenue, 2001-2007
- South Korea
- Figure: South Korea Total Insurance Premium Revenue, 2001-2007
- Taiwan
- Figure: Taiwan Total Insurance Premium Revenue, 2001-2007
- Structural Changes in the Four Countries
- Demutualization
- Consolidation of Insurance Companies
- Increasing Role of Bancassurance
- Aging Population Stresses Government-Run Health Insurance
- Climate Change Increases Catastrophe Exposure
- Figure: Worldwide Natural Disasters, 1970-2007
- Figure: Worldwide Insured Natural Disaster Losses, 1970-2007
- Critical Issues in the Four Countries
- Customization and Innovation Are Key
- Processing Procedures and Technology Need a Refresh
- Inadequate Yields on Insurance Companies' Domestic Portfolios
- Move to Principle-Based Regulation
- Australian Government Taxes Need Reviewing
- Steadily Increasing Health Insurance Costs
- Future Outlook
- Australia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Essential Guidance
- Actions for Financial Institutions
- Actions for Vendors
- Learn More
- Related Research
- Synopsis
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