party services. Insurers subcontractors, who have so far taken some
responsibility for efficient, trouble-free and professional support of the
insurance business, may themselves experience difficulties due to the
Covid-19.
Acceleration of digital transformation
in the insurance industry.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML),
Internet of Things (IoT), natural language processing (NLP) and
computer vision will undoubtedly lead to automation and increase in
efficiency of many business processes in insurance companies. The
distribution of insurance, underwriting and claims adjusting are key
235
areas in which digital transformation is already taking place (
How
European insur
2020).
Adverse macroeconomic conditions
will negatively affect the
value of assets and profits of insurance companies. Low interest rates
will reduce the investment income of insurance companies, which is
particularly important in long-term life insurance. One should also
expect an increase in credit risk, insolvency or temporary liquidity
disturbances among insurance debtors.
3.4. Social and customer relations
Due to the epidemic situation, the quality of customer service and the
approach based on CSR principles have become even more important.
This trend includes the increase in the importance of market
communication, the company s assessment based on its response to a
pandemic, sensitivity to security issues, increased risk of damage to
reputation (
Covid-
2020). We identify the following major issues in
this area:
Insurers should apply thoughtful approach
to their clients
during the pandemic as it may become a new factor of competitive
advantage in the post-Covid-19 era. It encompasses extension of
insurance premium payment deadlines, gentle approach to the
interpretation of insurance conditions regarding epidemic exemptions,
and striving for amicable settlement of disputes with stakeholders.
Corporate social responsibility
. In face of the difficulties of
national healthcare systems in providing all patients with due care, the
insurance industry has actively engaged in material and financial
assistance to hospitals. Activities such as providing latex gloves, masks
and other items of medical clothing, founding Covid-19 tests, purchase
of respirators, educational and information campaigns, consultations
with psychologists they all show the engagement of insurance industry
in corporate social responsibility (CSR).
It is noteworthy that a global threat, such as the Covid-19 pandemic,
can benefit the entire insurance industry. It strengthens public awareness
on the role insurance coverage can play in minimizing the negative
effects of random events. It seems that this fundamental truth has not
always been noticed. There is therefore a real chance that the post-crisis
increase in risk aversion will become a stimulus for insurance demand.
236
3.5. Insurance supervision and regulation
Supervisory authorities are observing the insurance market during
the pandemic. They try to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis,
relying mainly on regularly collected data from insurance companies.
The EIOPA in the statement of 17 March 2020 expressed the belief that
the European insurance sector is able to withstand a serious market
shock thanks to adequate capital resources (
EIOPA state
2020).
The major identified challenges are:
Additional o
r more detailed reporting obligations in the insurance
industry should be expected, particularly on: asset adequacy, stress-
testing based on the pandemic, analysis of the impact of a pandemic on
solvency, monitoring and regular reporting of financial risk, disclosure
of information about the impact of the virus on operating activities
(
Covid-
2020).
Delay in legislation
might be expected, including as crucial task
as the Solvency II revision, the EU Sustainable Financing Strategy,
revision of the NFRD directive on non-financial reporting, revision of
the IDD Directive, pan-European individual pension product (PEPP).
Call for delay to compliance dates.
European insurers signal
that as a result of perturbation in their day-to-day operation and
uncertainty in the entire economy, they have not been able to prepare to
achieve full compliance with the initial margin requirements for non-
centrally cleared derivatives (
Covid-
2020).
Public-private partnership for pandemic risk.
In the long term,
OECD suggests considering a public-private partnership between the
insurance industry and public authorities to support insurability of
pandemic risk, especially if this risk is likely to grow (
Initial
2020).
Conclusions
It was shown that the negative effects of the pandemic for the
insurance industry is severe and can be seen from many perspectives.
Nevertheless, in the long-run one can expect an increase in social risk
perception and greater awareness of the role of insurance in mitigating
the negative effects of random accidents. It would be a relatively
optimistic scenario.
237
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