Market

The term 'market' denotes a place where people buy and sell goods. There is, of course, no good reason why services should not also be sold in a market. For many years Lloyd's of London was the only place where representatives of buyers could meet sellers face to face but there are now similar markets in the United States.


   Most insurance today is arranged by intermediaries acting on behalf of clients. Their job is to arrange insurances on behalf of people who ask them to do so but also to encourage people to insure in respect of needs which the intermediary - being experienced in insurance and risk - makes them aware of.

   The diagram shows the general structure of the insurarice market. The buyers in the market are the public, industry and commerce as well as some local government and nationalised enterprises. Obviously there is a difference in the sizes of risks offered ranging from the contents of very small flats insured against fire, to large office blocks in the centre ot a big town.


   The people who offer insurance cover are the insurers who may be proprietary companies, societies, mutual indemnity associations or Lloyd's Undenvriters. Insurance may be bought directly from companies at their branch offices or through their represeptatives. Most insurance, however, is arranged through intermediaries who are approached by prospective insureds or bring the need for insurance to the notice of their clients.


   Intermediaries are brokers and agents who act on behalf of their clients but are usually paid in the form of commission by the insurers.