RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Tailor-made insurance policy

February 28, 2001

A cigar smoking, sports car driving man who occasionally takes part in sporting activities, but also likes to eat well, could find a tailor-made insurance policy on the internet. This is not an advertisement for an insurance company, but a conclusion of the PhD research project of Informatics Engineer Willem Jan Willemse. His degree ceremony is on 6 March at TU Delft, the Netherlands. "Insurance companies should pay far more attention to the variety of lifestyles there are,” says Willemse. With the mathematical model and a software package that Willemse designed, this becomes possible, even on the internet.

Life and pension insurances are based on the life expectancy of the clients. An insurance company wants to be sure that they receive enough funds to be able to pay the promised amounts later. That is why they use charts with mortality statistics to calculate the premiums. “Insurance companies nowadays use techniques, laws and charts from the 19th century to calculate premiums for insurances,” says Willemse. “They do of course take the changes in the statistics into account, but not the current multitude of lifestyles. This means that the use of these techniques does not provide the results that the clients need."

What Willemse has actually done is not used charts, but clear models and formulas. "Actually very simple,” says Willemse, "in the first place, computers work better with formulas then with charts. Besides, and more importantly, all kinds of knowledge about mortality can be worked into models, but not into charts.” In Willemse’s project, this knowledge led to a new model that can calculate a premium based on the lifestyle of the client. One can even take into account individual physical traits of the client. For example the cigar smoking sports car loving man, who occasionally plays sports.

But that’s not all. The internet has obviously passed by the insurance branch unnoticed. Willemse: "In the future the client will of course want to find a life insurance suited to his lifestyle and situation using the internet. “That does mean that the insurance company’s website has to be fast, and smart enough to recognise different forms of insurance." Willemse developed software especially for this purpose, the Actuarial Knowledge System.

Delft University of Technology

Related Smoking Current Events and Smoking News Articles

Smoking Current Events and Smoking News RSS

Research reveals exactly how coughing is triggered by environmental irritants
Scientists have revealed how environmental irritants such as air pollution and cigarette smoke cause people to cough, in research published today in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Women Can Quit Smoking and Control Weight Gain
Many women don't quit smoking because they are afraid of gaining weight. That's because nicotine suppresses the appetite and boosts a smoker's metabolism.

Cigarettes Harbor Many Bacteria Harmful to Human Health
Cigarettes are "widely contaminated" with bacteria, including some known to cause disease in people, concludes a new international study conducted by a University of Maryland environmental health researcher and microbial ecologists at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France.

Study raises concerns about outdoor second-hand smoke
Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.

Early end to key study on benefits of niacin, a B vitamin, in keeping arteries open was premature
Heart experts at Johns Hopkins are calling premature the early halt of a study by researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Washington Hospital Center on the benefits of combining extended-release niacin, a B vitamin, with cholesterol-lowering statin medications to prevent blood vessel narrowing.

Athletes on performance enhancers more likely to abuse alcohol, other drugs
College athletes who use performance-enhancing substances may be at heightened risk of misusing alcohol and using recreational drugs as well, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

90 percent of Africans are not protected by smoke-free laws
As African nations are poised to undergo the highest increase in the rate of tobacco use among developing countries, nearly 90 percent of people on the continent remain without meaningful protection from secondhand smoke, according to a new report released at a regional cancer conference today.

Workplace BPA exposure increases risk of male sexual dysfunction
High levels of workplace exposure to Bisphenol-A may increase the risk of reduced sexual function in men, according to a Kaiser Permanente study appearing in the journal Human Reproduction, published by Oxford Journals.

Exposure to several common infections over time may be associated with risk of stroke
Cumulative exposure to five common infection-causing pathogens may be associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the January 2010 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Carnegie Mellon researchers link health-care debate to risk of dying in US and Europe
The current health care debate in the United States is complicated. Trade-offs between heath care expenditures, lifestyle choices and life expectancy have been suggested but seldom clearly demonstrated.

More Smoking Current Events and Smoking News Articles

	The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method by Allen Carr (Author) A new edition of the revolutionary bestseller, with four million copies in print. Allen Carr’s innovative Easyway method—which he discovered after his own 100-cigarette-a-day habit nearly drove him to despair—has helped millions kick smoking without feeling anxious and deprived. That’s because he helps smokers discover the psychological reasons behind their dependency, explains in detail how to handle the withdrawal symptoms, shows them how to avoid situations when temptation might become too strong, and enables them to stay smoke-free. Carr discusses such issues as nicotine addiction; the social “brainwashing” that encourages smoking; the false belief that a cigarette relieves stress; the role boredom plays in sabotaging efforts to stop; and the main reasons for failure. With...
	Smoking Food: A Beginner's Guide by Chris Dubbs (Author), Dave Heberle (Author) Everything you need to know about home smoking. In Smoking Food, Chris Dubbs and Dave Heberle assure us that smoking is an art, not a science, and they fearlessly reveal that art's essentials—and how simple they can be. They explain how to choose the best fuels (you can use corncobs!), how to build smokers from old refrigerators and cardboard boxes, and, of course, how to smoke everything from turkeys to turtles. Their advice is as ingenious and cost-conscious as any given by Alton Brown. Aware of the needs and wants of the modern cook, they include low-sodium preparations, alternatives to preservatives like sodium nitrite, and thoughts on safely handling meat. With more than one hundred recipes and tips for making brines, marinades, cheeses, appetizers, soups, and main dishes,...
	Small Brown Shiny Wooden Pipe for Tobacco Smoking with Case by Rollingforce Shiny brown pipe. Black case included. New. About 3.5 inches. Amazing item. Free Shipping to USA
	LifeSign QuitKey Smoking Cessation Computer by LifeSign QuitKey alters your smoking routine and eases you off cigarettes gradually. QuitKey reminds you when to smoke and when not to smoke. Step by step. Hour by hour. One day at a time. The QuitKey approach to quit smoking culminates 20 years of research. It was developed and proven effective with grants from the National Institutes of Health and builds on the enormous success of LifeSign, a first generation smoking cessation computer that uses the same gradual reduction technology. QuitKey works in two stages. Stage 1 (7 days): You smoke at your normal rate and use the QuitKey smoke button to record every cigarette you smoke. QuitKey uses this information to form your personal quit plan. Stage 2 (14 to 34 days): QuitKey helps you follow your quit plan by prompting you when to...
	Mastering the Craft of Smoking Food by Warren R. Anderson (Author) Here is an exceptionally complete guide to making real smoked food at home that tastes far better than commercially made products.
	Thank You for Smoking (Widescreen Edition) Starring: Joan Lunden, Eric Haberman, Aaron Eckhart, Mary Jo Smith, Todd Louiso Directed By: Jason Reitman WARNING: Thank You For Smoking "just might make you laugh your head off!" (MAXIM). Aaron Eckhart stars as Nick Naylor a sexy charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who'll fight to protect America's right to smoke -- even if it kills him -- while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son. When he incurs the wrath of a senator (William H. Macy) bent on snuffing out cigarettes Nick's powers of "filtering the truth" will be put to the test. As Nick says "If you want an easy job go work for the Red Cross."System Requirements:Running Time: 91 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: R UPC: 024543255048 Manufacturer No: 2235504
	How To Quit Smoking Even If You Don't Want To by Barbara Miller (Author) People often say, "I am not ready to quit smoking." This book gives you a step by step plan that will show you how to get ready to quit. Quitting smoking is like going into battle. With this plan in place you will be ready to win! You will learn how to develop your will power and tap into an incredible source of "Self-Power." This plan shows you exactly what to do. It is textbook format with ten brainstorming exercises you must do. People who smoke are often on "auto-pilot-thinking." This plan interupts the "auto-pilot" and shows you how to re-write the script. It is true, you do not have to want to quit smoking but you do have to want to change something about how you make decisions. It is not complicated. As a matter of fact it is all very easy. By doing the exercises...
	Brand New in Box Classic Tobacco Smoking Pipe by Sandra This is a beautiful smoking pipe. It is detachable into three pieces for easy cleaning. The pipe includes replacement auxiliary rubber rings, which are used to seal the detachment and one filter. This is the perfect gift for yourself or a beloved pipe smoker. Very old style, vintage type pipe. Small holes in bowl head allow for even smoke distribution with no need for a screen. Anti clog mouth peace will ensure you are ready to smoke at a moments notice!
	Smoking Everywhere 3.0 Gold 16mg High Mint Cartridge 5-Pack by Smoking Everywhere
	Hugh Hefner Smoking Jacket Costume by Zoogster Costumes Our Hugh Hefner Costume features the classic Hugh Hefner smoking jacket with pockets, belt closure and pipe. Youve always dreamed of being him, so why not look like him? Pants not included.