Human life, in all its manifestations, has immeasurable social and economic value. Since ancient times, human beings have tried to put in place systems to sustain and flourish in the face of adversity. In modern times, life insurance is one such financial arrangement that provides social and economic security to individuals and to the communities. Awareness of the basic features and categories of insurance is important in today’s life insurance market where all companies are offering a number of innovative products with multiple features. Divided into three parts, this book incorporates the basics of life insurance, risk management, and health and micro-insurance, in detail. Part I (Concepts, Principles and Processes) systematically defines life insurance, its legal contract and characteristics, marketing and distribution processes involved, and the future trends. Part II (Risk Management, Underwriting, Reinsurance and Claims) explicates the importance of risk management, the process of underwriting, and the types and concepts of reinsurance and claims. Part III (Employee Benefits, Pensions, Annuities, Micro-insurance and Health Insurance) covers allied topics, such as pension products, micro-insurance and health insurance which are increasingly becoming important for the industry for both the social and commercial perspectives.

Insurance is perhaps the most effective device for managing ‘risk,’ which is a pervasive phenomenon in our lives. We can sometimes avoid or reduce it but never entirely eliminate it. Whether you are a Graduate student who is studying insurance as a part of your curriculum, or an Executive managing your Organization’s Insurance and Risk Management Program this book will provide you with a strong conceptual foundation, comprehensive knowledge of non-life and life insurance products, and perspectives on how insurance functions as a part of the economy. Essentially, you will understand ‘why’ it is needed, ‘what’ solutions it provides, and ‘how’ different business processes and professionals work together to deliver the vital compensation to victims of disasters. Organized in 18 chapters that are comprehensive yet brief, it continuously relates facts to theories, concepts to processes, events to their context, and the rule-of-thumb to underlying basic principles. Thus, insurance will be demystified, and you will be empowered to decode ‘insurance speak.’

Insurance is a concept, a technique, and an economic institution. It is a major tool of risk management, and plays an important role in the economic, social, and political life of all countries. Economic growth throughout the world has even expanded the role of insurance. Theory and Practice of Insurance aims to describe the significance of insurance institutions, the reasons they exist and how they function. The author emphasizes fundamental principles in risk and insurance, using an international frame of reference. This volume begins with an introduction to the concept of risk, then proceeds to cover insurance and its relationship to the economy; the principles of risk management and insurance; and the characteristics and performance of insurance companies.