Knowing the functions and benefits of insurance is important before deciding to use it. Moreover, the understanding of insurance in Indonesia is still low. This can be seen from the amount of public participation in insurance which is still minimal, aka not so many enthusiasts. In fact, insurance in general or specifically has many functions and benefits to provide compensation for long-term protection funds such as asset / asset insurance, life insurance, and health insurance.
Insurance is defined as an agreement made by two or more parties, in which there is mutual bond between the insurer and the insured. The insurer receives insurance premiums from the insured as a form of risk change paid to the insured due to certain events in the future. This particular event is commonly understood as a risk if it results in things we don't want.
Insurance can be seen from a social and financial perspective. From a social point of view, insurance can be defined as a social organization that accepts risk transfer and collects funds from its customers to pay for losses that may occur to the customer or member. In short, insurance protects its customers from these losses which will be borne together. From a financial point of view, insurance is a tool used to reduce economic risk by cooperating with a number of work units / people / companies with the same or nearly the same potential risk so that all parties in the combination can bear these losses. With the funds collected in large numbers, these losses can be divided proportionally.
Primary Functions of Insurance :
1. Taking part in insurance means active in risk transfer
One of the primary functions of insurance, apart from controlling risk, also functions as a risk transfer mechanism so that the possibility of uncertainty (uncertainty) will result in losses due to unexpected events can be ascertained or converted into certainty in the form of compensation. loss or compensation claims from insurance premiums that have been paid.
Transfer of risk does not mean eliminating the possibility of misfortune from the insured / insurance customer. However, the transfer of risk is intended to provide peace of mind to customers against the possibility of adverse events. If you look at the rewards you will get, maybe the value of the premium paid is very little compared to the risks that may occur.
2. Insurance as a Fundraising Facility (Insurance Investment)
Insurance also functions to collect funds from customers or policyholders. The funds collected (from the premiums paid) can be used and developed by insurance companies through more profitable investment channels. Because one of the duties of an insurance company is to raise funds. Therefore, investment is an option that is often taken so that the money collected can be managed productively.
Investment activities carried out by insurance companies can be carried out anywhere. And the results of these investments can also be used as a strategy in reducing premium costs. After all, later these premiums will also be used together to cover risks borne by premium payers or customers.
3. More Insurance Ensures Balanced Premiums
The purpose of the balanced premium function here is that insurance can be relied on as a guarantor for someone's losses by paying clear premiums and the amount can be accounted for. The size of the premium that must be paid also depends on the applicable premium rate after being multiplied by the sum insured.
The premium rate is also known as the rate of premium. In the end, premium payments made by customers or policyholders will be of fair value or equal to the risk transferred to the insurer (the insurer). This condition is known as the equitable premium.
Advantages :
Providing guaranteed protection from risks of loss with a cost equalization system, that is, it is sufficient only to pay a certain amount and does not need to replace / pay for the losses incurred.
The work partner of the bank to provide credit because the bank needs a guarantee of protection for the collateral given by the money borrower.
Can be used as a medium for savings and investment to cover the loss of earning power of a person or business entity when he is no longer productive (working).
Disadvantages:
Lost funds if the premium is not paid
Every insurer has a sunk fund system. So if you stop paying premiums each month, the funds you paid beforehand will automatically expire, and you can't make a claim.
Part of the Premium Funds Become Company Profits
Regarding the previous point, payments that stopped in the middle of the road made the payments you previously made forfeited.
It makes you unable to make claims. As a result, the premium funds that you paid once now belong to the insurance company.