The book gives an understanding of the principles and practice of the insurance market and how insurance companies operate in the property and casualty (PandC) and long-term insurance markets. It provides a sound understanding of all aspects of the nature and role of insurance, from basic principles through to how the industry works in practice. This includes how the insurance market functions and the relationship between the organizations involved, including why and how they are regulated. It also provides an overview of the types of products available.It describes the various business functions and activities undertaken by an insurance company and how they fit into the wider operational and ever-changing business environment. It compares relative merits of different insurance products and their suitability for customers in different circumstances and explains the product lifecycle and pricing aspects, how insurance companies operate and the insurance sector's positioning within the wider financial services environment.