Ateneo - UPO

The course awards 2 ECTS credits and comprises 15 hours: two-thirds consist of lectures and seminars led by experts, while the remainder involves assignments.
The course examines the role and functions of ‘insurance’ and, in particular, the following topics:
- the insurance literacy gap,
- the insurance coverage gap,
- the needs arising from an ageing population – such as the need for long-term care and private pension schemes –,
- climate change and natural disasters,
- the role of insurance agents and other insurance distribution channels,
- the challenges posed by complex claims.

The instructor will provide articles, working papers reports and slides in order to deepen specific course topics by the course official web page. The login to the web page requires a password; please contact the instructor to get it.

1.Knowledge and understanding: the students will acquire the knowledges needed to understand: the features of the various types of “pure” risks as well as of the different techniques aimed at managing them.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding to evaluate insurance and pension products by applying theoretical knowledges.
3. Making judgements: the ability of choosing the instruments best suited to satisfy insurance and pension needs and to evaluate their risks.
4. Communication skills: the students will acquire the ability to use the technical language used by professionals in the field at issue.
5. Learning ability: The knowledge of the most important information sources will make them able to better support their arguments.

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1. Knowledge and understanding: traditional face-to-face lessons and self-study based on teaching materials. During the Course some qualified guest speakers will be invited to share with the class their professional experience. The program includes the following structure: 1 CFU for theoretical lessons and 1 CFU for testimonials and applied activities.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: assignments carried-out during the course.
3. Making judgments: students will be stimulated to make a judgemets on relevant cases, also through assignments and presentations.
4. Communication skills: the meaning of the terms used by professionals in the field of insurance will be adequately explained.
5. Learning skills: every topic will be discussed beginning from the illustration of the problem and then analyzing the various possible solutions.

Further information can be found in the Course official web page at the following link: https://www.dir.uniupo.it/?. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

A final assingment to be completed in small groups 1. knowledge and understanding: through an assignment. 2. applying knowledge and understanding: through an assignment 3. making judgements:through an assignment. 4. communication skills: through an assignment. 5. learning skills: through an assignment. Each aspect will get a score between 0 and 6 points.

- Introduction on the course: objectives, program, assessment.
- Risk and uncertainty. Pure risks vs. financial risks.
- Methods of managing pure risks.
- The features of the “insurance device” and elements of insurable risks.
- The need for supplementary pension provision and long-term care (LTC).
- The activities and functions carried out by insurance companies in relation to the prevention of and protection against catastrophic risks.
- The distribution of insurance products.
The course addresses the issue of the gender gap, with particular reference to pension investments and long-term care (LTC) policies.

KNOWLEDGE
- to know the fundamental features of the insurance “mechanism”;
- to know the characteristics of the main types of both insurance and occupational pension contracts;
COMPETENCES
- to be able to interpret the technical and economic features of both insurance and occupational pension contracts from the contractor’s point of view;
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS
- to be acquainted with the technical terminology used in the insurance sector at both the domestic and the international level;
- to be able to read, comprehend and comment technical material from books, financial journals or other sources.
Minimum sufficiency level: students know the fundamental categories of insurance instruments and intermediaries and can apply acquired knowledge in a basic way to the evaluation of straightforward instruments.
Advanced level: students can autonomously analyse complex financial situations, construct comparative arguments across instruments and intermediaries, and interpret developments in the insurance sector.