Instructions for FIRE375 term paper

Instructions for FIRE375 term paper

Please choose a specific discussion question. For example, if you want to write a paper about insurance pricing, ask yourself what area in insurance pricing you would like to talk about. Then narrow it down to a very specific area, such as, “what are the factors influencing the premium of ,say, auto insurance, and how? And further discuss, say, how can you reduce your insurance premium accordingly? ”, or e.g., “The using of credit record in underwriting and rating.” You can discuss, for example, how it is used, is it socially fair and economically fair? What are reasons for adopting or banning it in insurance pricing? (Actually, most states allow using credit record except several).

a) Each paper must be typed/printed, 3-4 pages in length, 12pt and double space.

b) Each paper must clearly state the question/issue, provide an answer or explanation or discussion, and make reference to the source(s) from which the answer/explanation was obtained. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

c) Each paper must be presented in class. Smart classroom (PowerPoint and others if any) technology must be used.

The criteria for a good paper and presentation include:

1. A suitable title for your paper and a clearly stated specific discussion question/topic

2. Not a summary of the course lecture or textbook.

3. Not just a general introduction of a common type of insurance that is introduced in class.

4. Logic discussion:

• There is not wrong or right answer for many issues in risk management and insurance. As long as your discussion supports your opinion, it is a good paper. I do not just expect to see the right answers (if any); instead the focus will be on your reasoning.

5. Concise and clear conclusion

6. Include references (do not forget this!!)

7. PowerPoint should be prepared for your presentation.

Paper and PowerPoint Submission

1. Please submit your paper and presentation PowerPoint through “dropbox” in D2L before or on the due date.

2. There will be a 20 points penalty for each late calendar day.

Examples of topics

(The followings are just some examples. You don’t need to pick from the following topics!! IT’S AN OPEN TOPIC PAPER.)

1. Use genetics in insurance pricing

2. Aviation insurance

3. Auto insurance fraud

4. Credit default swaps

Page 1

Instructor: L. Zhang

5. Are women or man safer driver

6. DNA Testing and Insurance: is it an ethical insurance premium pricing tactic?

7. Does car theft increase over the holidays

8. Wal-Mart being sued for liability

9. How much coverage is enough

10. Discrimination in automobile insurance rating systems

11. Auto insurance-purchase and claims

12. Major exclusions to homeowners insurance

13. Should insurance companies be able to charge by the mile and the way you drive by putting a device on your car?

Useful links

Insurance Journal Lots of insurance news stories: http://www.insurancejournal.com Risk and Insurance Dot Com Current news and stories: http://www.riskandinsurance.com Chubb Companies Good-sized library of case type articles: http://www.chubb.com Business Insurance Current News and Events: http://www.businessinsurance.com National Underwriter Current News and Events: http://www.nationalunderwriter.com Property & Casualty Dot Com Current News and Events, Jobs, and More....: http://www.propertyandcasualty.com Lloyd's of London History, News, and More: http://www.lloyds.com/ Risk World News & Views: http://www.riskworld.com/ Insurance Services Organization A Premier Source of Information: http://www.iso.com/

Page 2