The document provides a brief history of insurance, beginning with ancient Greek and Roman guilds that cared for deceased members' families. It discusses how guilds in the Middle Ages and "friendly societies" in England served similar purposes. The earliest known insurance contract was created in 1347 in Genoa between European maritime nations. The document also summarizes the concept of life insurance and identifies Elizur Wright as the "father of life insurance". Finally, it outlines Panamanian insurance law and the responsibilities of Panama's Insurance Superintendent.
2. A brief history
According to some authors, The Greeks and Romans
introduced the origins of health and life insurance c. 600
BCE when they created guilds called "benevolent societies"
which cared for the families of deceased members, as well
as paying funeral expenses of members.
Guilds in the Middle Ages served a similar purpose.
The Talmud deals with several aspects of insuring goods.
Before insurance was established in the late 17th century,
"friendly societies" existed in England, in which people
donated amounts of money to a general sum that could be
used for emergencies.
3. Brief history
As European civilization progressed, its social
institutions and welfare practices also got more and
more refined.
With the discovery of new lands, sea routes and the
consequent growth in trade, Medieval guilds took it
upon themselves to protect their member traders from
loss on account of fire, shipwrecks and the like
4. Brief history
Since most of the trade took place by sea, there was
also the fear of pirates. So these guilds even offered
ransom for members held captive by pirates. Burial
expenses and support in times of sickness and poverty
were other services offered. Essentially, all these
revolved around the concept of insurance or risk
coverage. That's how old these concepts are, really.
In 1347, in Genoa, European maritime nations entered
into the earliest known insurance contract and
decided to accept marine insurance as a practice.
5. Concept of life insurance
Life insurance is a contract between the insurer and
the policy owner. The insurer promises to pay a lump
sum of money on the death of the insured person or
persons. Or pay him the amount in case of critical or
terminal illness. In return the policy owner pays a
premium at regular intervals, such as monthly,
quarterly, half yearly or annually.
This premium is different with different insurance
companies and the period of payment of the
premiums may vary and this is decided at the time of
buying the insurance.
6. The father of life insurance
Elizur Wright is considered the father of life
insurance. (12 February 1804–22 November 1885) was
an American mathematician and abolicionist who was
born in 1804 and died in 1885.
He has been considered the "father of life insurance"
for his pioneering work on actuarial tables.
He is also sometimes called the "father of insurance
regulation", as he campaigned that life insurance
companies must keep reserves, and served as
Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner.
7. Reasons for buying life insurance
To safe our family in the event of any unforeseen happenings.
It is important for us to save our family in the event of any unforeseen
happenings such as death. We have to ask ourselves some questions
concerning our family: If I were to die, would they be able to continue
to live in the same house, and still be able to make the rent or mortgage
payment? How can I be sure that I can provide for my family even after
I’ve left this world?
Life insurance serves many practical purposes. Obviously paying off
debts so your family is not overburdened in your absence is very
important. However, life insurance is equally important for your family
members in order to allow them grieving time, and provide them with
a little time to heal.
8. Reasons for buying life insurance
To replace the income that is lost due to the policy
holder´s death
Funeral expenditure nowadays is costly. Paying for the
services, at a time when we are still numb and reeling
from the sudden loss of a loved one can be hard, to say
the least. In such cases, a life insurance policy can
come to our aid, by taking care of the funeral expenses.
9. Reasons for buying life insurance
To pay off the mortgage
When we purchase a term life insurance policy, we take
into account all the money our family will need in case we
are not around to help out. This includes our mortgage
payments.
To plan our children´s education
Children are always asked what they want to be when they
grow up. Doctor, Lawyer, Astronaut. And as a parent, you
want to make sure nothing stands in their way, especially
something like finances. The cost of education is
increasing at a rapid pace across all levels. In order to
ensure that you can pay for your children’s educations we
need to buy life insurance.
10. Reasons for buying life insurance
To pay for the burial expenses of the policy holder
Death is a constant and no one can escape it. After a
person dies it is important to get solved the problem of
the payment for the burial expenses of the late. Life
insurance covers those expenses. Without life
insurance, the family will have to find way to settle the
death expenses such as burial, coffin, etc.
11. Panamanian law concerning
insurance
In 1996, the Republic of Panama adopted Law 59 (July 20, 1996)
Law 60 (July 29, 1996) and Law 63 (September 19, 1996) which
regulate Insurance Companies and the Professional of Insurance
Brokers & Producers, Captive Insurance Companies and
Reinsurance Activities respectively.
Under this legislation, all companies or enterprises who
undertake insurance activities, of any nature including bond
bailiffs, are regulated by the Superintendent of Insurance. This
also includes insurance brokers, adjusters and any person who is
involved in insurance brokerage. Furthermore, this legislation
covers any entity who promotes health, pension or retirement
funds, and investment or saving schemes which issue policies or
contracts (other than those covered by other special legislation,
such as the securities legislation or special creations of law).
12. The Insurance Superintendent's
responsibilities
Strengthen the growth of the insurance industry;
Inspect and investigate the commercial operations and
professional practices of the persons regulated by the
law;
Review, process and investigate the applications made
for licenses of any nature under the insurance laws;
and
Enforce the insurance legislation.
