Insurance

a.s.r. offers a broad range of insurance products, including property & casualty (P&C), health, pension and disability insurance (both collective and individual), as well as life and funeral insurance. In providing these products, a.s.r. considers their impact on people and the environment and seeks to contribute to a more sustainable world through its insurance activities.

Insurance and pension premiums are invested in line with the Policy on Responsible Investments. Controversial activities are reviewed against an ESG risk assessment during the acceptance process. a.s.r. insures sustainable solutions such as green roofs and solar panels and offers more sustainable claims repair solutions. In addition, a.s.r. actively explores whether transition markets, such as the sharing economy, can be made insurable – and continuously assesses how its products and services can be made more sustainable.

Through its insurance solutions, a.s.r. also contributes to the sustainable employability of the Dutch workforce and to supporting customers in maintaining their vitality. The organisation also considers how its services can help people make informed financial decisions and remain financially healthy.

Read more below on how a.s.r. puts its sustainability ambitions into practice as an insurer.

P&C encourages more sustainable choices by insuring businesses that contribute to the energy transition, biodiversity and a circular economy. To achieve this, the non‑life business Sustainability desk focuses on companies active in the renewable energy sector, recycling and waste reduction, and on organisations that work to prevent nature loss.

At the same time, the non‑life business applies clear acceptance criteria: companies with a material impact on climate change, such as producers of thermal coal and unconventional oil and gas, are not accepted. Producers of conventional energy must commit to the objectives of the Paris Agreement and have a transition plan in place. For other companies in the fossil value chain or in sensitive sectors, the non‑life business performs an ESG risk assessment.

Claims handling is carried out with a focus on repair rather than replacement, delivered through certified sustainable repair networks. Certification requirements include limits on greenhouse gas emissions, restrictions on the use of toxic automotive paints, waste management standards and minimum thresholds for the use of second-hand materials.

Supporting climate mitigation and the energy transition is an essential element of P&C insurance products. For example, P&C policies provide cover for solar panels and charging stations under building insurance. All P&C insurance products are assessed for their impact on sustainability factors, both before launch and on an ongoing basis.

By providing accessible and clear information through product sheets, telephone support, user-friendly websites, process guidance and transparent complaints procedures, the P&C business raises customer awareness and enables customers to make well-informed financial decisions.
a.s.r. health translates the joint agreements of the Dutch Association of Health Insurers (Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, ZN) into its own procurement policy to support the sustainability transition within the healthcare sector. This policy sets targets for making healthcare real estate more sustainable, promoting sustainable mobility and addressing other sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the healthcare sector. In addition to these collective actions, a.s.r. health also undertakes its own initiatives to stimulate innovation in the sector. Together with healthcare providers, it looks for new opportunities and inspires other parties by sharing effective practices. More information is available (in Dutch) at:

Samenwerken aan duurzame zorg

Preventing biodiversity loss is an important area of focus. a.s.r. incorporates ZN’s shared objectives into its procurement policy, such as reducing negative impacts associated with excessive medicine use. It was also the first health insurer in the Netherlands to introduce a more sustainable care module within contracts for pharmaceutical care. This module encourages agreements on de‑medicalisation and fossil‑free delivery. Two major health insurers have since adopted elements of this module.

a.s.r. also engages in the promoting of the circular economy. Its procurement policy is aimed at waste reduction, for example by exploring the use of washable incontinence products in collaboration with Slingeland Hospital, Radboudumc and UnderWunder. In addition, a.s.r. works with CareCycle to repurpose unused materials. Through Pharmaswap, pharmacies can share surplus stock, helping to prevent waste and reduce costs.

Sustainable employment practices are essential for a future-proof healthcare system. a.s.r. expects healthcare providers to invest in their employees and supports them in doing so. This enables healthcare professionals to remain healthy and employable, both now and in the future.

Encouraging individuals to take greater ownership of their health is another important focus area. a.s.r. believes in prevention and a healthy lifestyle as ways to reduce healthcare costs and safeguard accessibility. Policyholders are actively involved in their care process and receive support through tools such as a.s.r. Vitality and theZorg voor jezelf app. These initiatives promote preventive measures and selfcare, aim to relieve pressure on healthcare providers and contribute to a more efficient use of healthcare resources. Together with healthcare providers and policyholders, a.s.r. is working towards a sustainable, future-proof healthcare environment inwhich everyone has access to the right care at the right time.
Entrepreneurs are not automatically insured against loss of income due to incapacity for work, as there is currently no mandatory government insurance in place. They are therefore responsible for arranging their own financial safety net. With a.s.r.’s disability insurance, entrepreneurs can protect themselves against loss of income. In addition to providing benefit payments, a.s.r. offers guidance to help prevent incapacity for work and supports customers in their return to work.

Employees become eligible for a WIA benefit under the social security system after two years of illness. a.s.r. offers income insurance products that supplement this benefit and provides support with reintegration. Employers are required to continue paying wages during the first two years of illness. a.s.r. can take over the full administrative process relating to absenteeism management and reintegration, maintaining oversight of every reported case of sickness. This way, a.s.r. helps ensure that all parties take the necessary steps to enable employees to return to work as quickly as possible.

Employers are automatically insured through the Unemployment and Benefits Agency (UWV) for the Sickness Benefits Act (ZW) and the Return to Work Scheme for the Partially Disabled (WGA). They can, however, opt for the ‘own risk bearer’ status. In that case, they take on responsibilities such as paying benefits and preparing reintegration plans. With a.s.r.’s own risk bearer insurance products, these benefit payments are covered and employers receive support with absenteeism management and reintegration. This allows them to retain control while keeping risks manageable.

Vitality plays a key role in preventing absenteeism and incapacity for work. For this reason,a.s.r. Vitality is included as a standard component of all absenteeism and incomeinsurance products. The programme motivates healthy behaviour by rewarding physical activity and vitality. Healthy, energetic employees and entrepreneurs are the foundation of any successful organisation: higher vitality levels lead to lower absenteeism and a reduced risk of incapacity for work. Staying active helps people build mental and physical fitness, contributing to greater effectiveness, productivity and job satisfaction.

With these solutions, a.s.r. strengthens income security, sustainable employability and a healthy workplace culture for entrepreneurs, employees and employers.
a.s.r. pensions provides customers with accessible and easy‑to‑understand information through Advies van a.s.r. Whether customers build up their pension through an employer or independently, a.s.r. helps to clarify complex choices so they can make well‑informed decisions about their financial position after retirement. When a life‑annuity policy reaches its maturity date, Advies van a.s.r. also supports customers in deciding how to use the maturity amount.

Healthy and energetic employees are the foundation of any successful organisation: greater levels of vitality lead to lower absenteeism. a.s.r. Vitality is therefore available to all employers with a collective pension scheme. The programme encourages employees to be more active and rewards healthy choices. Being active helps people improve their mental and physical fitness, which in turn enhances effectiveness, productivity and job satisfaction.
a.s.r. funeral insurance takes a range of measures to reduce climate impact. Greenhouse‑gas emissions are lowered by supporting the sustainability efforts of its network of funeral service providers. a.s.r. funeral insurance also contributes to the energy transition by helping customers make more sustainable choices. Through Advies van a.s.r., customers receive guidance to make well‑informed decisions about their funeral arrangements, for example by selecting a more sustainable coffin.

a.s.r. life ensures, through Advies van a.s.r., that customers can make an appropriate choice for their term life insurance. Following a death, many expenses continue, such as mortgage or rental payments and children’s education costs. A term life insurance helps to mitigate these financial risks. Advies van a.s.r. supports customers in making these choices, helping ensure that dependants remain financially resilient after bereavement.