Marković, mr Mirjana

ARTICLES, DISCUSSIONS, ANALYSES, REVIEWS

OVERVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES OF INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NORTH AMERICA UNDER THE IMPACT OF CATASTROPHE LOSSES CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has increased the severity and frequency of natural hazards, thus leading to catastrophe losses. There is a growing need to reduce adverse eff ects on international economies, property and health of people, which is why diff erent types of insurance protection are created to respond to climate change and its consequences.
The state aid in North America, combined with optional insurance provided by private insurance companies, is but one of the responses to these challenges. This model, however, has displayed certain weaknesses such as moral hazard, adverse selection and the lack of solidarity. Fortunately, this can be overcome by combining compulsory and private insurance, state aid and earmarked reserve funds into the creation of an insurance model - a comprehensive coverage of natural hazards - as the only model that meets the current needs for protection.

Key words: climate change, natural hazards, catastrophe losses, insurance, reinsurance, activities of insurers.

ARTICLES, DISCUSSIONS, ANALYSES, REVIEWS

DRAWING A DISTINCTION BETWEEN INSUREDS BASED ON GENDER: DISCRIMINATION OR NECESSITY

In developed Western countries, the fundamental gender inequality, despite proclamations to the contrary, has not been „evened out“ yet, and it is reflected in an unequal approach to education and employment (in particular when taking into account highly reputed universities, highly paid jobs in business and positions entailing power and privileges in politics). Countries can only alleviate the consequences of their insufficient efficacy by shifting the burden to the private business, particularly to branches that are widely perceived as financially capable of withstanding even such blows.
The fact that the Serbian insurance market, being undeveloped, is not hugely impacted by these changes brings small comfort. Namely, only a negligible portion of the insurance products portfolio offers different rates based on the insured`s gender