A comprehensive examination of the current condition and performance of medical malpractice insurance on a national basis and in the Florida market finds evidence that a crisis does exist. Specifically, from 2001 to 2002, the number of insurers nationwide writing positive direct premiums fell 40 percent; in part, because insurers are unable to raise premiums in proportion to increased losses. Bivariate Granger Causality analysis indicates that 1999, 2000, and 2002 losses are explained by the past two years premiums and losses; however, 2001 losses are not. Further, 2001 is the only year examined that incurred significant annual growth in the median of every performance variable tested. Significant deterioration in direct losses incurred, net investment income, policyholder surplus, and the loss ratio over time is also found. In addition, the annual average growth rate in direct losses incurred significantly increased from 1995-1998 to 1998-2001, while net investment income, policyholder surplus, and the loss ratio significantly deteriorated between these two time periods. An examination of the causes of this deterioration in the national market finds positive relationships between both direct losses incurred and policyholder surplus with net premiums written. A negative relationship is found between the amount of reinsurance ceded and net premiums written. An analysis of the Florida market reveals total claim costs are positively related to direct premiums written and Florida insurers experienced a significant deterioration in loss ratios. The evidence supports the contention that losses increased more than expected while investment income fell below expectations. There is no evidence to support the claim that insurance companies have been mismanaged. States with $250,000 caps on non-economic damages experience lower growth in loss ratios than states with no caps and states with modified caps. Also, the effect of rising defense costs on direct premiums written is not as large in states with total caps on non-economic damages. Lastly, ceteris paribus, insurers in the state of Florida would have realized savings of at least $538 million dollars, or 22 percent of total damages paid, if $250,000 caps on non-economic damages had been in place from 1991 to 2003. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Risk Management and Insurance in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2004. / June 22, 2004. / Liability Crisis, Insurance Cycles, Tort Reform, Medical Malpractice, Underwriting Cycles / Includes bibliographical references. / Kevin L. Eastman, Professor Directing Dissertation; Pamela P. Peterson, Outside Committee Member; Patrick F. Maroney, Committee Member; James M. Carson, Committee Member.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-193).

Thesis--Lausanne. / Bibliography, p. v-ix.

Service quality has been increasingly identified as a key factor in differentiating service products and in building competitive advantage. However, the differences of opinion between customers and service providers in the same industry have not received much attention in the literature. Therefore, to gain further insight into the development of service delivery in the insurance industry, differences between customers and service providers' perspectives need to be explored. / The study design used in this research was twofold. First, quantitative research was conducted in which customers and providers were participants. The conceptual model involved a comparison between customers and service providers' perceptions of the attributes of service delivery in the auto insurance industry. Moreover, a conceptual model of the determinants of different perceptions regarding six attributes; customer expectation, customer experience, customer perceived service quality, perception of corporate image, customer satisfaction and customer repurchase intention- are proposed and discussed. Both customers and service providers in the auto insurance industry were asked questions based on the same components of service delivery and related attributes. The first phase of the research, a quantitative based mail administered survey, was undertaken; four hundred and six questionnaires were sent to customers and one hundred sent to service providers in the auto insurance industry in Thailand. The results show that there are significant differences between customer and service provider perceptions concerning customer experience, customer perceived service quality, perception of corporate image, customer satisfaction and customer repurchase intention. / The second phase of the research involved a qualitative study using nine managers in the auto insurance industry in Thailand. Due to the exploratory nature of this research, face-to-face interviews were used to investigate five important dimensions of service quality in management in the auto insurance industry in Thailand. Further interviews were sought to investigate the conceptualization and measurement of customer satisfaction, service quality, repurchase intention and its importance to the auto insurance industry. Then, qualitative research by face-to-face interviews was used to illuminate various issues previously identified, and analysed the different perceptions between samples and examined the means to narrow the differences. The research disclosed that the reliability dimension is the important factor in implementing service quality in the auto insurance industry in Thailand. Results from the qualitative study also suggested that auto insurance companies in Thailand should be developing marketing strategies more focused on the needs of customers and thereby improve customer satisfaction. The results are of significance to operators in that they clearly identify the managerial implications of providing quality service to enhance customer satisfaction and with it customers' repurchase intention in auto insurance in Thailand. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2005.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986.

Typescript, etc. / Digitized by Kansas State University Libraries

This thesis is a pioneer study that examines the growing importance of global insurance markets and the factors that determine continued success and viability. A couple of issues relating to risk and insurance that have not been examined to such an extent in previous studies are represented through the examination of two of the fastest growing areas within international insurance services, namely those of global bancassurance and life insurance markets. Firstly, this thesis establishes what determines the demand for bancassurance using a sample of 73 companies from 28 developed and developing countries from across the globe. Methodological improvements are made on previous studies through the use of the advanced estimation technique known as Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) which helps account for such inconsistencies as measurement errors, heteroscedasticity, multicollinearity and endogeneity. The results obtained both extend and reconcile existing literature in the field of bancassurance. Secondly, the determinants that influence the level of life insurance consumption throughout the OECD are scrutinized with a particular focus on the influence of systems of law. Thus far no other study has attempted to discover the relationship between life insurance consumption patterns and the legal systems in place within a given nation. The key finding highlights the importance of systems of law on consumption patterns, and specifies that there is a significant positive relationship between the French and German civil-law systems and the level of life insurance consumption within the OECD. In addition, the findings in regards to other demographic, macroeconomic and social determinants extend as well as support the existing literature in the field of life insurance.

Thesis--Groningen.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982.