This project is designed to determine the attitude of the general public towards insurance contract in Nigeria. The topic to be discussed is “ensuring positive consumers attitude towards insurance contract in Nigeria. A study of IGI Enugu”. In chapter one of this work, I treated the introduction, significance of the study, statement of problems and definition of terms and also limitations of the study. In chapter two, I reviewed some related literature. Chapter three is the research design and methodology which focused on the method employed in the course of this work. It related to the type of sample method of collecting data, it also provide the types of data used and its sources. In chapter four, I presented the summary of findings and discussion. Finally, in chapter five I presented the conclusion and recommendations. Where I for saw the need of the insurance practitioner putting more efforts towards attracting the general public in adurring the important of insurance

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of content vi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 6

1.3 Objective of study 6

1.4 Research question 7

1.5 Significance of the study 8

1.6 Scope of the study 8

1.7 Limitation of the study 9

1.6 Definition of terms 10

Reference 12

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Meaning and purpose of insurance 13

2.2 The insurance market 15

2.2.1The insurance market is up of the following 15

2.2.2The insurers 16

2.2.3The insurance intermediaries 17

2.3 Classes of insurance contracts 17

2.3.1Marine insurance 18

2.3.2Fire insurance 18

2.3.3Life assurance business 19

2.3.4Accident insurance 19

2.4 Factor affecting the insurance contract 20

2.4.1Size and the distribution of population 21

2.4.2National income 22

2.4.3Market competition 22

2.5 Consumers attitudes towards insurance contracts in

Nigeria 23

2.5.1Religious effect 24

2.5.2Social clubs and age grades 24

2.5.3Ignorant 25

2.5.4Claim procedure 26

2.5.5Low standard of living 27

2.5.6Fire insurance 27

2.5.7Motor insurance 29

2.5.8Marine insurance 30

2.6 Buyers/consumers behaviour. 31

2.7 Claims record 32

2.8 Constraints of marketing insurance products 34

2.8.1 Problems of marketing insurance in Nigeria 35

2.8.2 Culture 35

2.8.3 Political 35

2.8.4 Economy 36

2.8.5 Educational system 36

2.9 Odds in marketing insurance products 37

2.9.1 Quality of service /poor marketing 37

2.9.2 Competition 38

2.9.3 Financial stability 38

2.9.4 Training 39

2.9.5 Fake operation 39

2.9.6 Poor channel of distribution 39

2.10 Legal and regulatory constraints 40

Reference 42

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Research design and methodology 43

3.2 Sources of data 43

3.2.1Primary data 43

3.2.2Secondary data 43

3.3 Population of study 44

3.4 Determination of sample size 44

3.5 Reliability of the study 45

CHAPTER FOUR

Summary of findings and discussion

4.1 Findings 46

4.2 Discussion 64

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion 48

5.2 Recommendation 49

Bibliography 51

Appendix I 53

Appendix II 54

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

This research work will first look into insurance is all about; insurance as a risk management device is, therefore a contract to the economic well-being of man. It is also endemic in any society as a way of averting and ameliorating the financial consequences of misfortune has been engaging the attention of man at every age. Before the advent of the British Merchant in Nigeria, there was no organized insurance business as we know it today. There has been some existed traditional system of risk sharing, which could be described as crud or primitive forms of mutual and social insurance schemes. The extended family system, age-grade association, town union were some mutual insurance like schemes for showing benevolence to their members who had suffered some misfortunes such as death, ill-health, fire ravage or court case. Both the extended family system and clan or town union still exists in Nigeria today, but most of their insurance function ahs been taken over by an organized insurance system. Similarly, the age grade system still plays on important role in some parts of the country, especially in matters relating to moral development, but like the extended family system and clan unions, they no longer render any noticeable insurance servicers to their members. Then the determinant of every marketing is the ability of the producers to provide for the consumers the quality and quantity of goods that will satisfy then at affordable price, provided at accessible place. In event to provide these goods, the producer should consider and see the customer or clients as the “king”, this is because without the clients, there will be no insurance business.

According to Philip Kotlers, 1977:100, he said the fact that their customers clients as the case may be, are getting more educated and have better tools, such as the internets as the proposed to buy with more discrimination. Power has been passing from the manufactures to the distributors and now is passing to the customers I.e. “client”, therefore, the customer is the king. It is vital that markets ever before, continually strive to meet customers need because that is the only way they will succeed in this increasingly competitive market practice. In insurance practice the insures therefore, the insurers should strive to see that the needs of their insured is if the insured fail to their then, the insured attitude will change.

Insurance marketing consist of the buyer, the intermediaries and the sellers of the insurance policies. Individuals as well as co-operate organizations toward insurance. Contract is greatly influenced by customers attitudes. Apparently, the attitude of clients towards insurance service is a function of two broad group of factors namely, the controllable factors are bordering mainly on the usually marketing mix which comprises the element of insurance market namely product, planning, distribution channels, advertising and sales promotion.

In the contract of insurance, the insures will ensure that in the practice have to articulate the products, planning, distribution, channels, advertising and sales promotion in a such away that the insured attitude for the business will be enticing. For example an insurer that wants to boost the number of insured in motor insurance business will make sure that all the above mix are well put in place to meet the desires of the consumers.

According to Philip Kotter (1993), he said it is a combination of those controllable internal marketing variables, comprising the four Ps (4ps) which is the; price, place, product and promotion, which the firm uses to operate successfully within the marketing environment. The uncontrollable factor are socio-economic technological psychological, political and legal forces, outside the direct marketing of insurance. W.J Withrich (1989:102). Some social risk also contributed for the need of insurance cover. Theft, burglaries etc. has progressed tremendously during the centuries especially in the period of inflation. As a result of introduction to new business which brings about increase value and product line insurance contract in Nigeria has progressed tremendously as far as insurance is concerned, Nigeria are easily spurred into action only when they heard that insurable disaster has behave on some or others, in recent times there has been proliferation of social clubs, more of these clubs guarantee the payment of fixed sum of money to the deceased brothers or dependents, the deceased who was the members.

Experience shown that these clubs make such payments with reasonable dispatch on the death of their member, on the other hand, insurance payment condition stressed the satisfaction of certain legal requirement and hence the payment look for some time. The level of illiteracy is still high in Nigeria, this is itself couples with the per capita level also affects the consumer attitude toward insurance contract in Nigeria.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.

The problem associated to this research are as follows:-

1. Non settlement of claims by insurance companies affect the attitude of the consumers.

2. Ignorant of the general public on the important and benefit of insurance.

3. Lack of professionals in insurance company that will help in fashioning out the market mix to marketing insurance product.

4. The technical words used in drawing up insurance public.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY.

The objective of the study is as follows:-

1. To improve the settlement of claims by insurers.

2. To provide a mechanism framework that will help in educating the general public on the benefit of insurance.

3. To improve on the construction of policies with such words that not is confusion to the public.

4. To portray insurance as a service capable of taking care of loss occasional by the insured and not like a social club.

5. To improve on how to increase public awareness of insurance such that will be more informative.

1.4 Research question

The following research questions are formulated for the purpose of this research study:

1. How does non settlement of claims by some insurance companies affects the attitudes of people?

2. Does the general public know about the importance and the benefit insurance?

3. How do you get the information about insurance contract or business.

4. How does poor awareness of insurance affects the people attitude towards insurance contract?

5. Can insurance as a service provide capable of taking care of losses occasionally by the insured.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of this study is to ensure positive consumers attitudes toward insurance contract. Apart from this, there are other important attached to it, they are:

This study will be of immense help to the general public to employ a professional, such as broke that will guide the client according. It will also help the insurance company to observe the effects of non–settlement of claims. This study wine encourages the insurance companies to always use qualified personal “intermediaries” that wine guides the customers according to the norms or the contract. This project work wine be of important to the insured to suggest the best time and low to exercise his rights throughout the contract.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research on the ensuring positive consumers attitudes towards insurance contract in Nigeria aught to have been carried out to cover all the nation, Nigeria, but due to some unforeseen circumstance or contingencies, the study will be concentrated on the IGI insurance company, Enugu in Enugu state.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY:

The research work is limited only to the Nigerian consumers of insurance service and the insurance companies, because of its wide area of coverage, the following constraints abound and outside this may be classroom work. There are other study that help me in writing this project. The greatest limitation was that of financial Inadequacy, this there fore affected my movement in terms of traveling to and some states like Imo, Abia, and Anambra state which I could not be able together some information needed for the study. The unco-operating attitude of some respondents imposed some problem to his research, it is known that many respondent are usually very reluctant in discussing some important information.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Contract: This is legal binding agreement between two parties, which must have quality of valid contract, for eg. Consideration, after an acceptance, capacity etc. which is traceable by law.

Policy: This is a guidance of insurance contract: it is also provided proof on the term of contract at insurance.

Insured: This is a party to the insurance contract who agree to pay small amount of money called premium so as to enable him to be entitled to receive indemnity or compensation whenever the risk insured against occur.

Risk: This is a chance of loss.

Insurers: This is the party to insurance company who access the risk of the insured to know whether to accept or not, if yes at what condition.

Indemnity: This is a method of putting the insured back to the financial position which he was before the risk occur.

Premium: This is a monetary payment that flows from the insured to the insurer so as to enable him to be entitled to receive indemnity if the risk insured against occur.

Claim: This is a way of bringing to the notice of the insurer or the insurance company about the occurrence of the risk which they insured against by the insured.

Insurance: Insurance is a safeguard against risk any device aimed at reducing the chance of a risk occurring, and when it happens reducing the extent of it’s damage and providing the affected persons with compensation is a form of insurance.

Agents: Agent is an intermediary who works according to the direction of his principal.