Insurance is a form of risk management, in which the risk is shared by a large number of people. In case of a loss, a third party, called the Insurer, would pay compensation from the pool of resources provided by the group of people. The Insurer charges an amount called the premium from the group of people, and the amount is of sufficient scope to allow for payment of compensation to the people who face loss. Because the pool of resources is larger than the expected compensation to be paid, the excess is taken by the Insurer as his profit.

In theory, Insurance is very old, as Babylonian traders would distribute risk in this way as far back as the 2nd Millennium BCE. In the Middle Age the Guilds provided insurance. Towards the end of 17th century, London became a center of importance and has been a capital of insurance business since then, Lloyd’s being situated there. Insurance can be provided against many things, and so there can be various types of Insurance; thus, there is Automobile Insurance, Casualty Insurance, Credit Insurance, Life Insurance, Liability Insurance, etc. One can insure pretty unconventional things as well; thus, Lloyd’s had famously insured Tina Turner’s legs! Despite the variety of types of Insurance, Insurance companies are usually divided into two types: Life, and General/Non-Life.

Insurance as a form of hedging risk is catching on fast. It is always nice to have some form of risk management against natural calamities, sickness, vandalism or terrorism, theft or any of the unknown/unanticipated factors. People do not mind paying the hefty premiums to save themselves against risk. In this section of the webdirectory, we provide links to institutions providing Insurance cover against all types of risks.

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