Increasing pension savings, tackling the impact of climate change and the cost of health services are three areas where insurance companies can play an important role, said Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, speaking at the Annual General Assembly.

“Private insurance is a vital gear for the proper functioning of our economy and our daily lives. It provides protection to people, businesses and organizations, ensuring the sustainability of investment and business initiatives. It shields citizens to unpredictable situations, reducing the cost of economic disorders, “Mr. Hatzidakis stressed. While in relation to the industry’s demands to expand tax incentives, he noted: “I think you will recognize that the government is obliged to maintain the budgetary balance. We are considering the possibilities of further tax relief, always in the context of our fiscal policy. “

Challenges

Referring to the challenges of which Insurance Companies can assist, Mr. Hatzidakis stood:

-In the viability of social security systems in the light of demographic aging problem that, he noted, are facing almost all European countries. “During the first four years we proceeded to the top reform of auxiliary insurance with the individual piggy bank and the creation of TEKE,” he said, adding: “The first three years have secured 533,000 employees and 200,000 employers who pay their contributions to the Fund. Already the funds that have been brought to TEKA reach 283 million euros and will soon become the largest institutional investor in the country. In December 2023 we went on to another step, with the adoption of the law on the reform of professional funds. With modern rules of governance and transparency, tax incentives for long -term pension savings and enhancing surveillance. “

“These reforms, he said, benefit the insured who will enjoy higher pensions in the future. But they also benefit the whole of the national economy, utilizing part of the pension savings to boost new investments. “

-In the impact of climate change and natural disasters. “He said, he said, a new framework for cooperation between the state, insurance companies and citizens to create a more effective risk management model.” Mr Hatzidakis emphasized the initiatives adopted by the government, such as importing initially and doubling at 20% of the reduction of ENFIA. Also, quasi -compulsory insurance against natural disasters for real estate worth more than 500,000 euros, as otherwise will not be compensated by the state, for large businesses with turnover of more than 500,000 euros and all cars. “We are watching developments in this area inspired by international good practices. And having as a basic care to come up with a result that will be in favor of their citizens and their property and not against them, “he said.

-In the face of increasing costs in the health sector. “There is significant room for the development of private health insurance in Greece by transferring resources from the unofficial – gray piece. This would be for the benefit of state revenue. But also for the benefit of the citizens themselves who will be able to enjoy better and cheaper services – and feel less uncertainty, “the deputy prime minister said. In this regard, the abolition of a 15% tax on health insurance for children up to 18 years of age is moving. Also, the regulation for calculating the amount of health insurance premiums and at the cost of the services provided. “The truth is that the annual increases, especially in life -long contracts, were unbearable for citizens. The aim of the government is to ensure consumer protection on the one hand and the capital adequacy of the companies on the other, “he said.

Mr. Hatzidakis also made a special reference to the adoption of the “right to oblivion” by insurance companies, noting: “The voluntary application of the Code of Conduct was an self -evident humanity move for about 400,000 of our fellow citizens, survivors of cancer, so that they are no longer disadvantaged. And they can now make their decisions on loans and life insurance, liberated from the bonds of their relevant medical history. I would like to thank the UAE and the companies in the industry for the constructive role they played. “

“The government, Mr Hatzidakis concluded, recognizes the substantial contribution of insurance companies, which he considers an ally in the effort to raise the Greek economy even higher. We remain committed to our commitments to expand the market for private insurance services, while enhancing transparency and competition, and ensuring effective consumer protection. “

Nikitiadis

George Nikitiadis, PASOK-KINAL Development Department, emphasized the importance of the industry for society. He was particularly mentioned in the health sector, noting that the National Health System is depreciated daily while the cost of health insurance contracts emphasized that increases have shook the confidence of the world.

He noted that “if the market operates smoothly then this is the benefits of not only the citizens but also the companies themselves.”

In order to formulate a new most representative Health Index, he emphasized the need to organize a continuous dialogue with companies and insureds and proposed for the new Health Index to join the consumer and consumer opinion.

For high hospitalization, he said that a PASOK delegation had visited the Competition Committee to be informed and, as it became known, “the research has not been completed but completed and will then be published by the text that will map the private health site”.

Geopolitical developments reinforces the feeling of insecurity to citizens, he continued, stressing “we want stable and we all have to delve deeper into the problems of the space for motivation such as the further reduction of ENFIA for real estate”.

“We need a new relationship of trust that creates added value for all of us, for further penetration of the industry and a government that proposes solutions to enhance transparency and protection of competition but at the same time with a reliable national health system that private insurance will work. Because there are countless cases with financial straits that the state alone patients spend their components or borrow to ensure their health. They want a human and healthy environment, ”he concluded.

Sardine

UAE President Alexander Sarrigeorgiou said: “The elephant in the room is constantly growing and is not interested in politics or economic conditions or geopolitical developments. Elephant is climate change and the issue for society is what we do, before, and after any natural disaster. Savings and longevity are the big issue. “

He continued that for most countries the solution is given through the combination of private and social security “but the Greek people are undercover and the average Greek pays much more for property, health and pension than the average European” he added.

The president emphasized that only 15% of Greeks have private health insurance but “instead of tax breaks, the state is in the wrong way to look at the market let’s look at what is going on in Europe. To see as a whole picture, I add that measures have been taken in the right direction at the same time, such as the insurance of houses that rose from 15% to 18% and we expect another increase. “

For the retirement, he added that TEKE is in the right direction “but not enough” as he said while proposing to extend the exemption provided for young people and children, to health contracts perhaps for the over 60 years.

“The insurance market is here, but we still have a road but we have no time,” he said, stressing that the insurance market in our country is reliable to take the part of the dangers it suits it.

For her part, the Director General of UAE, Elina Papaspyropoulou emphasized in her speech that the insurance is, above all, a social offering institution.

One area of ​​concern to the industry is road safety and in this context there is cooperation with Traffic “but we believe in a national strategy on the subject” as he noted.