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Reasons for the Coexistence of Different Distribution Channels: An Empirical Test for the German Insurance Market

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  • Lucinda Trigo-Gamarra

    (Department of Economics – Chair of Money and Credit, University of Rostock, Ulmenstrasse 69, Rostock 18057, Germany.)

Abstract

Private insurance markets in Germany are characterized by the coexistence of different distribution systems. Insurance products are mainly distributed both by independent and dependent agents. Economic theory provides different explanations for the coexistence of distribution channels: the product quality hypothesis states that independent agents provide both insurers and customers with higher service intensity and product quality and, therefore, remain on the market. We sent a written questionnaire to German insurance intermediaries designed to measure service quality. Our analysis shows that a higher level of service quality among independent agents supports the product quality hypothesis. The Geneva Papers (2008) 33, 389–407. doi:10.1057/gpp.2008.16

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  • Lucinda Trigo-Gamarra, 2008. "Reasons for the Coexistence of Different Distribution Channels: An Empirical Test for the German Insurance Market," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 33(3), pages 389-407, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:gpprii:v:33:y:2008:i:3:p:389-407
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    1. repec:dau:papers:123456789/5054 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Augusto Felício, J. & Rodrigues, Ricardo, 2015. "Organizational factors and customers' motivation effect on insurance companies' performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(7), pages 1622-1629.
    3. Chang Vincent Y. & Wang Jennifer L. & Tzeng Larry Y., 2010. "A Reexamination of the Relationship between Organizational Forms and Distribution Channels in the U.S. Property Liability Insurance Industry," Asia-Pacific Journal of Risk and Insurance, De Gruyter, vol. 4(2), pages 1-26, July.
    4. Marcus C. Christiansen & Martin Eling & Jan-Philipp Schmidt & Lorenz Zirkelbach, 2016. "Who is Changing Health Insurance Coverage? Empirical Evidence on Policyholder Dynamics," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 83(2), pages 269-300, June.
    5. Annette Hofmann & Julia K. Neumann & David Pooser, 2018. "Plea for Uniform Regulation and Challenges of Implementing the New Insurance Distribution Directive," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 43(4), pages 740-769, October.
    6. Pang-Ru Chang & Jin-Lung Peng & Chiang Ku Fan, 2011. "A Comparison of Bancassurance and Traditional Insurer Sales Channels," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 36(1), pages 76-93, January.
    7. Miguel Angel Latorre Guillem, 2020. "The Customer Orientation Service of Spanish Brokers in the Insurance Industry: The Advisory Service of the Insurance Distribution Channel Bancassurance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-22, April.
    8. Benjamin L. Collier & Marc A. Ragin, 2020. "The Influence of Sellers on Contract Choice: Evidence from Flood Insurance," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 87(2), pages 523-557, June.
    9. Azegami Hideto, 2015. "Do the Over-the-Counter Sales at Banks Expand the Individual Annuity Market in Japan?," Asia-Pacific Journal of Risk and Insurance, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 47-76, January.

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