French-based global insurer’s chief condemns Paris attacks
The chairman and chief executive of
AXA, the French-based global insurance group, has written of his “sorrow, dread and anger” following the terror attacks in Paris last week. Henri de Castries wrote: “too many of us in France have lost or had someone injured - a family member, a friend, a colleague or an acquaintance. In a heinous and despicable act, barbaric terrorists took their lives as they were just enjoying the beginning of the week-end in a concert hall or simply spending the evening with friends. Our thoughts and prayers go to them - the victims of this tragedy, their friends, their families, their loved ones. We wish all of those affected by these horrifying events a healthy and strong healing.”
Mr de Castries said that at the time of writing he believed that all of AXA’s employees were safe and he paid tribute to the police, armed forces, medical and intelligence services for the work they do. He said that AXA colleagues has received heart-warming messages from colleagues and other insurance professionals from across the globe and he thanked them for their support.
Health insurance falls in consumer survey
The health insurance sector is vying with some of the least popular service sectors according to a new poll. The annual American Customer Satisfaction Index asks 70,000 American consumers for their opinions on a wide range of products and services and this year the health insurance industry has seen one of the largest declines in satisfaction. "The usual suspects have been plaguing the industry, but it's getting worse," ACSI director David VanAmburg told CBS News, "High premiums -- no one likes paying high premiums -- slow claims processing and higher deductibles" are some of the biggest complaints.
Part of the problem says VanAmburg is that the Affordable Care Act has brought many more people into contact with the industry. That has a dual effect; more consumers who have knowledge of the sector and greater pressure on the sector to deliver its service to more people. The thing that consumers said they hate most about their dealings with health insurance is… call centers.
Allianz, ACE announce North American appointments
Allianz Group’s specialist corporate insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has announced that Rani Christie has been named head of global partnerships, effective January 1, 2016. Based in Atlanta, he will report directly to Joseph Strickland, head of market management and replaces John Pontin who was recently named Midwest zone leader.
Meanwhile ACE has announced that Paul J. Krump, currently President of Personal Lines and Claims for
Chubb, will serve as President, North America Commercial and Personal Lines of the new
Chubb Group. The intended appointment will take effect upon ACE’s completion of the acquisition of
Chubb, which is expected in the first quarter of next year.
