On September 20, 2022, a panel discussion titled “Is insurance a cost or a smart investment?” was held at the Falkensteiner Hotel in Belgrade.
The event was organized by the Serbian Association of Financial Directors, bringing together representatives from Dunav, Triglav, and Sava Insurance, as well as DistriRisk LLC, an insurance brokerage company. The panel served as a platform for sharing experiences and presenting insurance programs that are attracting growing interest from corporate clients.
Given the disruptions in business caused by global challenges, companies are showing increasing interest in trade credit insurance (both domestic and international), voluntary health insurance, and various forms of liability insurance.
Tatjana Smiljanić, Head of personal insurance at Sava Insurance, stated that in response to the new and growing needs of clients using healthcare services during the pandemic, the company enabled diagnostic procedures and medical examinations related to COVID-19 complications, covered up to the full limit of the contracted health insurance package.
Representatives of Dunav and Triglav Insurance addressed the business challenges faced by companies in today’s environment.
Ivan Grujić, Assistant executive director at Triglav Insurance, highlighted that trade credit insurance offers significant advantages—not only in protecting against uncollectible receivables, but also in increasing sales, improving borrowing conditions with banks, and boosting competitiveness.
Jelena Pavlović, Director of the department for liability, transport, and credit claims at Dunav Insurance, emphasized the importance of corporate liability insurance and shared numerous real-life examples of claim settlements. She also noted a growing trend in Serbia: companies are increasingly purchasing professional liability insurance across various professions, as well as Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance and professional liability coverage for IT companies.
Marija Kujović Stanimirović, Partner and representative of DistriRisk LLC, underlined the key role of brokers in providing professional support to businesses when negotiating insurance policies. She explained the importance of risk assessment tailored to specific company activities, analysis of insurer terms, and support throughout the claims process.
She also pointed out a fact that often surprises clients: insurance brokerage services are typically provided at no additional cost to the insured.
Financial directors actively participated in the discussion through numerous insightful questions. The overarching conclusion of the panel was clear: insurance should be seen as a valuable investment — one that brings peace of mind.