German public-law insurers do well - but time is running out

By Herbert Fromme, Cologne

Time is running out for Germany‘s public-law insurers. In year six of liberalisation, they are not doing too badly - in fact, they are gaining market share. But the picture is deceiving. If they do not act fast and bring core functions together, they will stand no chance against the industry‘s other major players, especially Allianz, Ergo, Aachen Munich and Axa Colonia.