Insurance Brokers Sound the Alarm on Industry Flaws

Aug 5 , 2023

Serious challenges in settling Political Violence & Terrorism Insurance (PVT) claims were presented by the Ethiopian Brokers Association (EBA) last week highlighting the vast discrepancies between what customers consider to be covered and the actual services of insurance companies. Following an order by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), a restriction on the use of PVT as a marketing tool has created a gap between insurance companies and the general public. Teferea Wondimu, general manager of Fana Insurance Brokers presented the paper that pointed to the conflicting scopes of cover, placement of cover and perplexing exclusion stipulations in the insurance policies. With 56 insurance brokers, 18 insurance companies and one re-insurer in the country, the lack of reach and density in the sector was also cited by the brokers who bemoaned that their contribution to the industry is under-evaluated. The meeting between veterans of the industry was held at the Anbessa Insurance Building on Haile Gebreselassie St. Another paper presented by Hadush Tsehay indicated that five companies control nearly three-quarters of the market, pointing to a lack of diversity. He emphasised that motor insurance accounts for nearly half of the earnings while acknowledging that the little over 40pc in return on capital was a strong suit of the Ethiopian insurance sector.