Plunkett's Insurance Industry Almanac 2008

Book excerpt: Insurance and risk management make up an immense, complex global industry, one which is constantly changing. Competition continues to heat up, as mergers and acquisitions create financial services mega-firms. As the insurance industry grows more global, underwriters see huge potential in China, the world's fastest-growing business market. Meanwhile, technology is making back-office tasks easier and more efficient, while direct selling and e-commerce are changing the shape of the insurance industry. This carefully-researched book (which includes a database of leading companies on CD-ROM) is a complete insurance market research and business intelligence tool-- everything you need to know about the business of insurance and risk management. The book includes our analysis of insurance and risk management industry trends, dozens of statistical tables, an industry glossary, a database of industry associations and professional organizations, and our in-depth profiles of more than 300 of the world's leading insurance companies, both in the U.S. and abroad.