ISSUE #393 – SMALL BUSINESS: LIFEBLOOD OF OUR ECONOMY
The past 12 months has been one of the toughest times faced by small and medium enterprises for many decades. The serious lack of appropriate insurance products and advice for the SMME market is one of the key issues that has been exposed.
Right now we have an opportunity, as an industry, to ensure we structure products suited to the ever changing environment that SMMEs operate in. Products that are flexible, adaptable and simple enough not to lead too long protracted legal battles when unforeseen events arise.
Make sure you read the SMME Feature in this months edition of COVER, where we have a variety of commentators providing thoughts on the insurance needs of this most valuable economic sector of our country.
ISSUE #392 – THE ADVICE EDITION: LONG LIVE ADVICE
We dedicated this issue to advice, because advice is the backbone of the insurance industry, both long term and short term. The past 12 months have again shown that advice is at the core of ensuring our clients receive the value that we as an industry are able to add.
There is no doubt that those who had the best financial advice, coped best last year. When the chips are down, it is essential to have a plan, to be prepared and to have a trusted adviser at your side.
Enjoy the read.
ISSUE #391 – RIDING THE STORM – FINDING THE SILVER LININGS
A year like no other has passed and a year like no other lies before us. We are well into January as I write this, and the year definitely started with a frenzy of activity, fuelling my excitement for a strong revival of our economy. Prediction is that we will see a 2,7% growth in GDP but I hold a more positive view and I am building my strategy around an upward trajectory for the next five years.
We decided to dedicate this edition of COVER to thoughts and opinions across the industry to provide perspective on what was and what might be on the cards in 2021.
Our commentators provide multiple views on the lessons learnt and the opportunities that are being presented to our industry. A must read to start your year.
ISSUE #390 – MARINE INSURANCE
This has been a tough year for all and Reinsurers were no exception. The year has however confirmed Reinsurers position as the foundation of the industry. The pressure brought about by COVID-19 and the fall-out still expected, is bound to lead to some changes in the year to come. Read what the experts have to say in our regular December Reinsurance Feature from page 20 – 34.
Just like every other industry, the marine and cargo sector are also facing severe challenges. We asked a few prominent players for their comments.
Happy holidays from all of us at COVER.
ISSUE #389 – RETIREMENT – A MATTER OF PLANNING
Retirement has become a more complicated matter than ever before. Besides the political and economic challenges, the normal tax planning and investment decisions, we now also have a myriad of different options to choose from when it comes to products, platforms and funds to work through.
There is a direct correlation between the quality of your planning and the quality of your retirement. In the retirement feature in this months magazine, we unpack the road to retirement as well as the opportunities from retirement, so be sure to check it out from page 26 – 35.
The COVID pandemic has brought forward an escalation in the incidence of cyber risks, from fraud to data breaches. This could potentially have a more devastating effect on society than our current pandemic challenges. In this months edition we have a collection of articles taking a look at Cybersecurity and Cyber risk management. Give it a read from page 12 – 23.
ISSUE #388 – INNOVATION – LIFEBLOOD OF PROGRESS
Here are just a few of my top picks in this edition:
1) Sustainability of the Broker – Read
There has been lots of talk about the end of the broker and the rise of digital. direct and insurtech taking over insurance distribution. COVER had a chat to Renasa to find out what they think about the sustainability of the broker channel.
2) Quo Vadis Central Banks – Read
Central Banks have always played a significant role in financial markets and monetary policy. Old Mutual explains how this is changing and how the role of Central Banks are coming under scrutiny
3) What Makes the Rand Tick – Read
The rand has been surprisingly strong since April/Peregrine Solutions provides comment on why this is and what to expect.
4) Claims Automation Coming of Age – Read
There has been a lot of discussion and focus on claims automation with the rise of insurtech innovations. AON South Africa provides some interesting comments on where we are at.
ISSUE #387 – GLOBE OF RISK
Louis Kahts, CIB, Head of Underwriting makes some interesting comments about our industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on page 17 of this issue. Being in a privileged position as editor of COVER, I followed with great interest, how companies responded to the challenge. The first CEO I interviewed after the lockdown was Garth Napier, MD of Old Mutual Insure. I still remember him saying, if I had asked him if 90% of their staff could work from home, he would have said
it is impossible. Yet, they did it in less than two weeks. No weeks of planning, no strategy, simply action and management.
THE LEADERSHIP EDITION
With great pleasure we bring you our special edition Leadership E-book, with an amazing collection of essays written by some of the most experienced leaders in our industry.
During your read you will certainly glean many insights into leadership, but for me, the one thing that stood out was authenticity. Authenticity creates trust, inspires even the most dissenting voice into positive action and has the power to create unity where there is great diversity.
Every business, industry and our country as a whole, now needs strong, authentic leaders to take us through this period of unprecedented challenge.
ISSUE #386 – WHERE IN THE WORLD IS VALUE?
What an exciting month for the COVER team. First we finalized the COVER Leadership Publication, a compilation of 30 articles penned by well know leaders in our industry. Inspired by the current unpredictable environment created globally by the COVID-19 pandemic, the chaotic South African political landscape and a disappointing local economic outlook.
As always, without sugar coating the realities of our predicament, these esteemed leaders provide guidance and positivity to assist us all to go forth and create magic. They certainly met the brief, but see for your self by visiting our site and downloading the pdf or reading it on our innovative WebMag platform. And, if you like it, feel free to spread the positivity by sharing.
ISSUE #385 – FORGED IN FIRE
Swiss Re Sigma explains why there should be a sharp COVID-induced pull back in the industry. 2021 will show a sharp recovery accompanied by rate hardening. Take a look at pages 14 and 16 – The FSCA and The FIA provide their comments on the challenges with Business Interruption Insurance after the COVID-19 Pandemic. It provides for some soul searching in our industry.
ISSUE #384 – CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING
Stagnation and uncertainty are serious concerns in this segment of industry, not just for the insurance industry. All eyes are on Government infrastructure programmes to provide some stimulus. This feature brings a few different views on the realities and opportunities we have before us..
ISSUE #383 – TOUCHED BY TECH
Quite appropriate to the COVID-19 push towards remote working and technology solutions needed to keep the insurance industry going, this issue is mainly dedicated to Insurtech and the various solutions it provides. Here we bring you a host of views, from varied perspectives, on the back of another highly informative Insurtech conference.
ISSUE #382 – HANGING ON
COVID-19 and insurance claims
In this months edition Donald Dinnie, Norton Rose Fulbright, provided us with two fascinating articles looking at claims in the time of the COVID-19 Virus on pages 10 and 12. You will also find several more perspectives on pages 13, 19, 21, 22, 27, 34, 35, 46, 49, 61, 63 and 67.
Don’t miss the article on page 63 that explores the effect of the oil price plunge and COVID-19 on the African countries most involved in the oil trade. It paints a challenging picture.
ISSUE #381 – COVID-19 INTO THE UNKNOWN
We have no experience to refer to. Markets, Business, Employees, Governments, Health Professional, Pensioners, we are all in the same boat. There is so much information going around and the updates are by the minute. On page 51 we have a thorough analysis of the legal implications of the Virus by Norton Rose Fulbright while IRMSA Alert shares some thoughts on how the virus could affect your business on page 64.