Insurance Handbook - Alaska Department of Community and ...

To The Reader
For over 50 years, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has provided
information to help consumers, reporters, insurance companies and researchers
understand how insurance works and what it does. The Insurance Handbook is
the latest addition to I.I.I.’s vast arsenal of resources, including books, brochures,
newsletters and videos.
Long a primary source of information, analysis and referral on property/casualty
insurance issues, the I.I.I. has broadened its reach over the years. Today, the I.I.I. is also
a leading source for clear, comprehensive information on annuities, retirement and
other life/health insurance concerns. The Insurance Handbook reflects this diversity of
subjects and issues.
The book begins with basic information on the various types of insurance,
including auto, home, life, annuities and long-term care. A glossary section contains
over 500 entries, including over 100 life insurance definitions provided by LOMA, a
worldwide association of life and financial services companies. A directory lists a wide
range of insurance organizations, including national, state and specialty associations.
Issues briefs provide overviews of the trends and developments shaping the insurance
industry from natural catastrophes to terrorism to workplace safety.
The Handbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the Institute’s other
information resources: our Web site (www.iii.org), which provides comprehensive
information on all aspects of insurance, and our various publications, including the
Insurance Fact Book, the Financial Services Fact Book and A Firm Foundation: How
Insurance Supports the Economy.
Its scope and clarity make it an ideal source for a wide variety of audiences,
including:
• Reporters
• Public policymakers
• Regulators
• Students
• Insurance company employees
• Academics
We believe this Handbook will prove a source of vital information to the media
and others who have long relied on the I.I.I.’s spokespersons and resources for
creditable, timely information. We appreciate your comments.
Robert Hartwig, Ph.D., CPCU
President
Insurance Information Institute