[ad_1]
The insurance group Axa Suiza will definitely leave the Swiss Insurance Association at the end of the year. In particular, the association’s specific positions on the EU framework agreement have led to differences that are difficult to bridge.
It will be interesting to see how Axa Switzerland will contribute to the political dialogue in the future.
Axa Suiza is the largest comprehensive insurer in the country, and the departure of the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA) at the end of the year is a great sign. The SIA is losing weight as a voice in Bern, which is not exactly beneficial for the industry. The subsidiary of the French insurance group Axa set out on Friday the reasons for the momentous step in a press release. It is primarily a different understanding of political influence, the spokesperson explained further on request.
Conciliatory tones from the SIA director
Axa Switzerland wants to pursue its own independent path in the political dialogue and in the future limit itself to factual contributions on fundamental issues of the insurance industry. He also says that the company views itself as “politically neutral” and will continue to strive to maintain a friendly relationship with the SIA, as well as with member companies. If you read between the lines, you can conclude that Axa Switzerland no longer agrees with the sometimes dedicated SVV positions.
Apparently, the bilateral discussions between the CEO of Axa Suiza, Fabrizio Petrillo, with the Director of SIA Thomas Helbling and all the members of the SIA Board of Directors have not brought any rapprochement. At the beginning of the summer it was made public that Axa Suiza wanted to stop membership after many years.
Helbling regrets Axa’s decision, and values the notification sent by the insurer on Friday to come out as adequate, balanced and fair. The fabric was not cut and, as is known, you meet twice in life. The SIA also views itself as “politically neutral”, but the association also takes a position on limited insurance-related issues, such as the Insurance Supervision Act or the BVG’s minimum interest rate.
A content strategy has been established for the years 2020 to 2024. This means that the SIA wants to be more involved in socio-political discussion with specific industry insights. In this sense, as a pillar of the Swiss financial center, they also want to assume economic responsibility. In other words, a group liability initiative does not leave the SIA indifferent, which is not surprising given the possible disadvantages for Swiss insurance groups such as loss of competitiveness.
The 2021 budget is not at risk
Specifically, according to Helbling’s statements, the Executive Committee jointly adopted a position on the EU framework agreement in early 2019 requiring that corrections be made. As is well known, SIA President Rolf Dörig spoke out clearly on these issues, even to the chagrin of Economiesuisse.
When asked if the SIA would have to cut its budget as a result of Axa’s departure, Helbling said there would be no immediate effects for next year. The association, which does not disclose its budget or individual membership fees, can, according to Helbling, draw on accumulated funds from the association. It will not take austerity measures in a hurry.
Space for pragmatic work
It will be interesting to see how Axa Switzerland will contribute to the political dialogue in the future, also because it has advanced in new and old business fields such as healthcare (never politically neutral). There should be a greater focus on the core issues of the insurance industry, the company spokesman said. Therefore, a clear position would be taken on a reform of BVG, while the company would not comment on non-industry issues, such as airline ticket taxes.
Furthermore, it will be a matter of keeping the promise made to promote a friendly relationship with the SIA and member companies in the future. Several services in the industry, such as data delivery for accident statistics, have a general purpose. Perhaps pragmatic cooperation outside the association structures will one day lead to rapprochement, which should be in the interest of all parties involved.
