Zurich’s healthy attitude
Zurich Financial Services Australia has begun embedding corporate responsibility in all its business strategies, with everything from general insurance policies to client health and education included in the overhaul.
In terms of general insurance, Zurich plans to provide flood cover to its commercial customers in 2008 — a benefit that is currently only available as an option.
It is also looking to help small to medium enterprise customers understand and adapt to climate change risk by developing a broker-assisted education program.
Concerning investments, Zurich intends to sign the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment to ensure environment, social, and governance issues are incorporated into the investment decision.
And the company is partnering with the Heart Foundation to educate clients through their financial planners about the prevention of health problems, while also developing the Zurich-Heart Foundation Health Index aimed at tracking the heart health of Australians.
“Zurich’s aim is to embed corporate responsibility in all its business strategies, decision and operations,” Zurich chief executive David Smith said.
“It is not a matter of corporate responsibility being ‘nice to do’ — it is now a business imperative.”
Smith added that a healthy customer was likely to have fewer claims meaning premiums could be reduced.
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