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Asuransi - The History of Insurance

Asuransi is an Indonesian word for insurance. Insurance is defined as the equitable risk transfer of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. The main concept of insurance - that of spreading risk - has been around as long as human existence.

The first methods of transferring or distributing risk were practiced by Chinese and Babylonian traders as long ago as 3000 to 2000 years BC, that is about 5000 years ago. Chinese merchants used to travel with a lot of valuable things, they travelled through land and water. When they travelled across the island, they distributed their goods into several ships to limit the loss due to any single ship capsizing. While the Babylonians developed a system which was recorded in the famous Code of Hammurabi around 1750 BC. It was practiced by early Mediterranean sailing merchants. A merchant who wanted to ship his trades would receive a loan to fund his shipment. If the shipment arrived in good condition, the merchant should pay back the loan to the lender with an additional sum in exchange for the lender's guarantee to cancel the loan should the shipment be stolen.

In England, insurance was first established in the late 17th century. But before that time, there are "friendly societies" existed in England. Each member donated amounts of money to a general sum that could be used for emergencies. Near the end of the 17th century, London's growing importance as a centre for trade increased demand for marine insurance. While in the United States, In 1752, the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire became the first mutual fire insurance company in America.

Insurance in Indonesia started in the Dutch colonial period, associated with the success of the country's companies in the plantation sector and trade in Indonesia. To ensure its survival, then insurance is absolutely necessary. During World War II activities of insurance in Indonesia practically stalled, mainly because of the closure of the insurance companies owned by Dutch and British.

After World War ended, the British company and the Dutch company resume operations in Indonesia after its independence. Until 1964, the insurance industry market in Indonesia was still dominated by Foreign Companies, especially the Dutch and English.

About 10 years later, in 1975, Avrist forerunner began when Mr. Harry Diah established PT Asuransi Jiwa Ikrar Abadi (AJIA) officially in November 1975. AJIA Headquarters located in one of the properties in Jalan Saharjo, Jakarta. AJIA opened the Group Management Division, which offered a variety of products and group insurance service and pension funds. In 1984, AJIA made joint venture with American International Assurance. Co., Ltd.. (AIA) and became the first multinational joint venture life insurance company in Indonesia. In 2009, AIA Indonesia renamed PT Avrist Assurance and became an independent company, with the support of more than one million loyal customers, an extensive network of distribution channels and reputation as one of the leaders in the Indonesian insurance market.

The success of an insurance company can not be separated from its agents. Insurance agents have much to contribute in the success of their companies.
And the success of an insurance agent usually depends on the support of the company and the good protection products the company provides.