保险在缓解社会不平等中的作用

Kai-Uwe Schanz,Deputy Managing Director and Head of Research & ForesightThe role of insurance in mitigatingsocial inequality The Geneva AssociationThe Geneva Association was created in 1973 and is the only global association of insurance companies; ourmembers are insurance and reinsurance Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Based on rigorous research conducted incollaboration with our members, academic institutions and multilateral organisations, our mission is to identifyand investigate key trends that are likely to shape or impact the insurance industry in the future, highlighting whatis at stake for the industry; develop recommendations for the industry and for policymakers; provide a platform toour members, policymakers, academics, multilateral and non-governmental organisations to discuss these trendsand recommendations; reach out to global opinion leaders and influential organisations to highlight the positivecontributions of insurance to better understanding risks and to building resilient and prosperous economies andsocieties, and thus a more sustainable world.The role of insurance in mitigating social inequalityPublished by The Geneva Association—International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics, Zurich.Cover page—gustavomellossa / Shutterstock.comThe Geneva Association—International Association for the Study of Insurance EconomicsTalstrasse 70, CH-8001 ZurichEmail: secretariat@genevaassociation.org | Tel: +41 44 200 49 00 | Fax: +41 44 200 49 99 2www.genevaassociation.orgAugust 2020© The Geneva AssociationPhoto credits:Page 32—Philou1000 / Shutterstock.com ContentsForeword1.Executive summary2.Global patterns of income and wealth inequality3.A risk and resilience perspective on inequality4.How insurance can mitigate exposures that exacerbate inequality5.RecommendationsReferences 3The role of insurance in mitigating social inequality56914193335 4www.genevaassociation.orgAcknowledgementsThis publication is a product of the Socio-economic Resilience work stream of The GenevaAssociation, co-sponsored by Christian Mumenthaler, CEO of Swiss Re, and Markus Riess,CEO of ERGO.We are very much indebted to the members of the Working Group, established in supportof the research activities of our Socio-economic Resilience work stream, namely ManuelAguilera (MAPFRE), Matthew Blakely (RGA), Paul DiPaola (AIG), Naomi Graham (IAG), ArneHolzhausen (Allianz), Thomas Holzheu (Swiss Re), Kei Kato (Tokio Marine), Mehul Mehta(Chubb), Gisela Plassmann (ERGO), Gonzalo de Cadenas Santiago (MAPFRE), FlemmichWebb (Lloyd’s) and Clarence Wong (Swiss Re). Foreword Social inequality was a pressing and growing ailment long before COVID-19 hitpopulations and economies the world over. The disease’s expected, long-term social andeconomic impacts are a call to invigorate and recalibrate discussions to address the topic.This report explores and suggests an important role for insurers in tackling this challenge.COVID-19 has brought on new, distressing manifestations of social inequality. Poorercommunities are suffering a higher proportion of cases and deaths compared to thegeneral population, plausibly linked to less access to high-quality healthcare, includingtesting, and a greater prevalence of underlying illnesses among these populations.Furthermore, many jobs deemed ‘essential’ are lower-income ones for which remotework, in general, is not an option.In many countries, government budgets that were challenged before COVID-19 arenow stretched to their limits. At the same time, the pandemic has pushed insuranceprotection, whether in the form of life, health or income, up the list of priorities forpeople. Regulators, too, are increasingly vocal in their support for inclusive insurance andthe potential for insurance to help prevent and alleviate poverty.The stage is now set for new public-private partnerships that leverage insurance as acritical part of the social safety net.The insurance industry itself should stand ready to play its part. Protecting society andmaking it more resilient is intrinsic to the insurance business model. Plus, studies showthat economic growth is adversely affected by inequality.This report expounds specific insurance approaches and products that can both protectmiddle-class populations and better serve vulnerable segments of society as a means ofreducing social inequality. At this momentous juncture for the world, it is our hope thatinsurers, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders will heed the recommendationsput forward in this report.Jad ArissManaging Director5The role of insurance in mitigating social inequality Rising levels of social inequality, in terms of income and wealth, have developedinto a “defining issue of our time” (Barack Obama). The COVID-19 pandemic isadding to the challenge as it is likely to have long-lasting economic and socialimpacts on a global scale, including much-reduced fiscal leeway for governments toaddress social inequality and poverty going forward.Liber