Types of insurance companies

Insurance companies may be classified as:

Life insurance companies, who sell life insurance, annuities and pensions products.

Non-life or general insurance companies, who sell other types of insurance.

In most countries, life and non-life insurers are subject to different regulations, tax and accounting rules. The main reason for the distinction between the two types of company is that life business is very long term in nature - coverage for life assurance or a pension can cover risks over many decades. By contrast, non-life insurance cover usually covers shorter periods, such as one year.

Companies may sell both life and non life insurance, in which case they are sometimes known as composite insurance companies.

Insurance companies are also often classified as either mutual or stock companies. This is more of a traditional distinction as true mutual companies are becoming rare. Mutual companies are owned by the policyholders, while stockholders, (who may or may not own policies) own stock insurance companies.

Reinsurance companies sell insurance cover to other insurance companies. This helps insurance companies to spread their risks, and protects them from very large losses. The reinsurance market is dominated by a few very large companies, with huge reserves.

What is Insurance - Home

Table of Contents

What is Insurance Introduction

History of insurance

Types of insurance:

• Auto insurance
  (car insurance or motor insurance)

• Home insurance
  (homeowners insurance or household)

• Boiler insurance
  (machinery and equipment insurance)

• Title insurance

• Health Insurance
  (private and public health insurance)

• Life insurance
  (whole life or term life insurance)

• Political risk insurance

Types of insurance companies

Life insurance and saving

Criticisms of the insurance industry
(arguments for universal heathcare)