Exploring the Role and Applications of Blockchain Technology in Advancing Life Insurance and Family Takaful: Challenges and Strategic Solutions
Authors: Dr. Asma Hamzeh
Coordinator: Dr. Mitra Ghanbarzadeh, Dr. Nasrin Hozzarmoghadam, Faezeh Banimostafa Arab, Mahdieh Choopan, Masoomeh Noori
Abstract
Blockchain technology, characterized by its decentralized, transparent, and tamper-resistant nature, is rapidly emerging as a transformative catalyst in the insurance industry, particularly within life insurance and family takaful sectors. Given the sensitivity and confidentiality of individuals’ medical histories and personal information, blockchain offers critical enhancements in accuracy, security, and trust for recording and managing data, thereby improving operational processes and fostering reliable transactions between individuals and organizations. This study examines global examples of blockchain applications in life insurance and family takaful, alongside successful initiatives by insurance companies worldwide, with a specific focus on proposing solutions for blockchain integration at Saman Insurance Company in Iran. Despite its significant potential to prevent fraud, automate policy issuance and claims settlement, streamline health data access, and facilitate reinsurance coordination, blockchain adoption in Iran remains limited due to institutional, regulatory, and educational challenges. Key obstacles include a lack of comprehensive understanding of blockchain’s technical and strategic dimensions, unclear legal frameworks, and limited organizational readiness. Addressing these challenges requires a multidimensional approach that encompasses developing distributed ledger systems for secure and transparent data management, standardizing interoperable blockchain platforms, and fostering collaboration among insurers, regulators, technology developers, and academia. Furthermore, legal and regulatory reforms are essential to align blockchain’s decentralized architecture with existing insurance legislation, while targeted education and cultural change management are critical to empower personnel and facilitate organizational adaptation. This research, conducted in collaboration with Saman Insurance Company, offers an initial framework for the practical and strategic integration of blockchain technology in Iran’s life insurance sector. It underscores the necessity of a comprehensive national strategy combining education, policy development, technological standardization, and stakeholder cooperation to realize blockchain’s full potential. The findings contribute to guiding the Iranian insurance industry towards a more secure, transparent, and innovative future aligned with global digital transformation trends.
Keywords: blockchain, life insurance, family takaful, Iran, fraud, policy issuance
A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Identification Methods for Uninsured Motor Vehicles: Analysis of Financial and Legal Ramifications, and Policy Solutions
Authors: Azadeh Bahador
Coordinator: Dr. Maryam Ethnoashari, Davood Mirshekari, Azin Sadat Ostad Ramazan, Seyed Mohammad Taghi Fadhl Hashemi, Dr. Mojtaba Karimi
Abstract
This research project, commissioned by the Bodily Injury Fund, was conducted with an applied orientation. The study is structured into six chapters. Chapter One examines the efforts made to identify uninsured land motor vehicles in Iran. It provides a review and analysis of relevant laws, regulations, and executive directives pertaining to the denial of services to uninsured vehicles, the identification processes for such vehicles, and the measures implemented by law enforcement to restrict their movement. Chapter Two evaluates the performance of responsible institutions in defining offenses and implementing deterrent measures against individuals driving uninsured vehicles. It includes an assessment of the effectiveness of these measures and the roles played by key organizations, including the police force, the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, and the Central Insurance of I. R. Iran. Chapter Three focuses on the operations of the Bodily Injury Fund in accordance with Article 21 of the relevant law. It explores the specific modalities of expenditure outlined in the article, analyzes the Fund’s revenues and expenditures, and assesses expenditure trends over recent years. Chapter Four investigates the technologies and innovations used in selected countries—namely the United Kingdom, India, the United States, Canada, France, and Australia—for tracking and identifying the movement of uninsured land motor vehicles. It also evaluates the feasibility of adopting these methods within the Iranian context. Chapter Five reviews the financial and legal consequences imposed on drivers of uninsured vehicles in the aforementioned countries. Finally, Chapter Six offers policy recommendations and implementation strategies aimed at preventing the circulation of uninsured vehicles in Iran, drawing on international experiences and best practices.
Keywords: motor insurance, uninsured vehicle, Bodily Injury Fund
Future Studies, Potential Opportunities and Challenges of the Insurance Industry
Authors: Dr. Mohammad Hassan Maleki
Coordinator: Dr. Yazdan Goudarzi Farahani, Dr. Asma Hamzeh, Dr. Omid Ali Adeli, Dr. Masoomeh Kazemi, Dr. Mahdi Nasrollahi, Dr. Said Farahani Fard, Rahim Mosadegh
Abstract
The present study seeks to foresight the insurance industry with a focus on potential opportunities and challenges. Drivers affecting the future of the insurance industry were extracted through an analytical review of the literature and interviews with futures experts. 33 drivers were extracted through the literature review and structured interviews with experts. These drivers were classified into seven categories: economic, technological, environmental, legal, socio-cultural, governance, and structural. 24 drivers were obtained through a literature review. Subsequently, structured interviews were conducted with five experts to strengthen the list. The interviews were evaluated using thematic analysis, and nine drivers were added to the list at this stage. The 33 drivers extracted from the literature review and interviews with insurance industry experts were screened using the Fuzzy Delphi technique. At this stage, 25 drivers were eliminated from the calculations and eight drivers were selected for the final ranking. Drivers with a defuzziness value higher than 0.7 were considered for final prioritization using Marcos. In the current study, eight drivers had a defuzziness value higher than 0.7. The threshold value of 0.7 was considered for preliminary evaluation and screening of drivers. These drivers were: the amount of spending by insurance companies on research and development projects, the patterns of cooperation between insurtechs and the insurance industry, the level of penetration of fourth-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things in businesses and people's lives, the level of use of data-driven analytics using big data in the insurance industry, requirements related to sustainable development, technology regulatory policies in the country, strengthening takaful insurance in the country, and the development of corporate governance mechanisms. Then, the eight screened drivers were prioritized using the Marcos method. Considering the scores of the future drivers of the insurance industry, focusing on challenges and opportunities, the patterns of cooperation between insurtechs and the insurance industry, the extent of use of data-driven analytics using big data in the insurance industry, the extent of penetration of fourth-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things in businesses and people's lives, and technology regulatory policies in the country, had the highest priority. The drivers were also evaluated using the DEMATEL method. This method is used to assess effectiveness and efficiency. The results of the two methods were consistent. The scenarios of the future of the insurance industry were developed based on the two drivers of cooperation between insurtechs and the insurance industry and the extent of use of data-driven analytics using big data in the insurance industry, and interviews with focus groups. Each driver consists of two contrasting situations. Experts were asked to express their opinions on each scenario. The group leader collected the opinions of the experts. From the contrast of these two drivers, four scenarios were developed. The first scenario represented the ideal future and scenario number 4 represented the worst future for the insurance industry. The research scenarios were evaluated and reviewed using the Mabak method and considering three indicators: compatibility with domestic trends, compatibility with foreign trends, and the level of credibility. The third scenario was selected as the most likely scenario. This scenario had the highest score.
Keywords: future study, Fuzzy Delphi, DEMATEL, driver, defuzziness value, IoT
Enhancement and Revision of the Legal Solvency Model of the Central Insurance of I.R. Iran (Regulation No. 69) Based on the Localization of Leading Global Solvency Models
Authors: Dr. Behnam Shahriar
Coordinator: Chimen Mohammad Nezhad Baneh, Dr. Majid Benvidi, and Somayyeh Babaee
Abstract
The primary objective of this research is to examine leading global solvency models and compare them with the Iranian solvency framework outlined in Regulation No. 69, with the aim of developing and estimating a customized solvency model tailored to the Iranian insurance industry. The study investigates major international solvency models, including Solvency II (Europe), Risk-Based Capital (RBC) in the United States, the Solvency Margin Ratio (Japan), and RBC II (Thailand), among others. These models are systematically compared to Iran’s current regulatory model, enabling a theoretical and practical assessment of the existing solvency framework.
Following this comparative analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of each model were identified. Based on these findings, a theoretical framework for calculating a localized solvency ratio for the Iranian insurance market was proposed. The model was then operationalized by estimating relevant risk factors and parameters, and applied across all insurance companies operating within Iran.
The study culminated in the formulation of a revised regulatory directive. Key features of the proposed model include enhancements to available capital measurement; a comprehensive RBC approach encompassing life, non-life, and reinsurance sectors; improved modeling of underwriting risk; inclusion of audit risks such as currency fluctuations, asset–liability mismatches, and investments in affiliated and subsidiary companies; incorporation of lapse risk in life insurance; adjustment factor calculations for non-proportional reinsurance; and refined credit risk modeling.
Keywords: solvency, RBC, Iran insurance industry, Solvency Margin Ratio, underwriting risk
Identifying and Classifying Risks in Research Projects and Proposing Solutions
Authors: Dr. Mohammad Sadegh Saremi and Dr. Mohammad Mokhtari
Coordinator: Dr. Mahdieh Akbari Rowshan, Dr. Amir Zakeri, Fatemeh Kafi Mousavi, Alieh Fatemi Nezhad, Dr. Marzieh Shahverdi, Dr. Amir Ghaemi Nia, Hoda Maraghei, Dr. Asma Hamzeh, Dr. Mitra Ghanbarzadeh
Abstract
Research and Development (R&D) activities at both fundamental and applied levels in various fields are considered a crucial cornerstone for the development of a country. Defined research projects at these levels are subject to various risks for numerous reasons, which may impact the efficiency and achievement of the final goals of the projects, potentially leading to a waste of resources. Therefore, the issue of research project risk management, aimed at identifying, evaluating, managing, and controlling incoming risks in a dynamic manner, is critical. The objective of the present study is to identify risks and provide both insurance and non-insurance solutions.
In the present study, based on the life cycle of research projects at the aforementioned levels, 53 types of risks were identified using literature review, individual and group interviews. Additionally, the evaluation and prioritization of these risks were carried out based on the risk score criteria. According to the results, the top five identified risks are: the risk of prolongation of the contract signing process, the risk of excessive expectations from the employer, the risk of prolonged data and information collection, the risk of inaccuracy and insufficiency of data and information, and the risk of lack or weakness of human capital and the accumulation of sufficient knowledge in the specialized field.
Insurance policies such as Research and Development insurance, political risk insurance, intellectual property insurance, key person insurance, credit insurance, and professional liability insurance, alongside other common insurance policies, are proposed for mitigating and transferring certain risks. These risks include the dependency of the project's financial cycle on the project's financial resources, the risk of insufficient initial and working capital, the risk arising from incorrect budget estimation, and the risk arising from changes in economic, social, and political variables. However, due to the indeterminate nature of risk realization, qualitative nature, lack of observability and verifiability in a large population, and absence of data, many of these risks cannot be insured in the country.
Based on this, the design of a comprehensive system for research projects is proposed, which includes the following subsystems: national needs assessment subsystem, ranking subsystem for all employers and researchers of research projects, research project allocation subsystem, research project life cycle subsystem, a platform for research project brokers, and an integrated monitoring subsystem. The legal and authoritative position of such a system can be established through a decree by the Cabinet of Ministers. Considering that the target community consists of fundamental and applied research projects that are at technology readiness levels one to four, the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology is proposed as the executor due to its comprehensive nature and accumulation of specialized information.
Keywords: research project, Research and Development, risk realization, human capital
Identification and Classification of Risk Types in Knowledge-Based Companies, Products, and Technology Cores of Innovative Enterprises
Authors: Dr. Rouhullah Abujafari and Mohammad Dibaee
Coordinator: Dr. Mahdieh Akbari Rowshan, Dr. Mohammad Sadegh Saremi, Dr. Mohammad Hussein Mardi, Dr. Fatemeh Teymoura, Dr. Zahra Kalhur, Dr. Rasoul Afshar Tabar, Farzaneh Nowbari, and Dr. Asma Hamzeh
Abstract
Knowledge, innovation, and technology are regarded as the foundational pillars for analyzing the principles of production economics. Within this context, knowledge-based companies, often referred to as knowledge-driven enterprises, come into play. These companies are inherently rooted in technology, innovation, research and development, and knowledge. Due to these foundational characteristics, such companies are exposed to higher levels of risk and uncertainty compared to traditional firms, making the establishment of a dynamic and integrated risk management structure not only essential but also a critical success factor.
Knowledge, innovation, and technology are considered the foundations for analyzing the principles of production economics. In this context, knowledge-based companies, commonly referred to as knowledge-driven enterprises, emerge. These companies are inherently technological, innovative, research and development-oriented, and knowledge-based. Due to these foundational characteristics, such companies face higher levels of risk and uncertainty compared to traditional firms, making the establishment of a dynamic and integrated risk management structure essential.
Based on risk assessment using the risk score criterion (the product of the probability of risk occurrence and its impact severity), derived from structured interview data, 37 types of risks were identified with values higher than the average. Among these, the category of medical devices, supplies, and equipment had the highest average risk score, while commercialization services had the lowest. However, when the critical value of the risk score criterion in the questionnaire results was adjusted, 34 risks were found to be above the average value. Nevertheless, the overall prioritization of risks remained unchanged, as data analysis from both methods indicated that the risks of fluctuations in macroeconomic variables (exchange rates, tariffs, inflation, etc.), lack of sufficient financing facilities, changes in policies and the legal environment (tax laws, credit regulations, etc.), inability or weakness in securing internal project financing, and inability or weakness in securing external project financing ranked first to fifth in priority.
Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that a comprehensive and integrated database of these companies be established in collaboration with the government and insurance industry players. Within this framework, the government can effectively play its supportive, facilitative, and regulatory roles, preventing resource wastage, misallocation, and redundant efforts. Additionally, the database would enable the creation of necessary internal and market mechanisms for bilateral interaction between companies and insurers.
Keywords: knowledge-based company, risk score criterion, project finance, risk occurrence
Examining Modern Models of Health Insurance Companies' Operations Worldwide (Managed Care Organizations) and Designing a Suitable Model for Iran
Authors: Dr. Amir Ashkan Nasiri Pour
Coordinator: Mitra Ghanbarzadeh, Nasrin Hozzarmoghadam, Fatemeh Atatalab, Asma Hamzeh, Mahdi Riahifar, and Zahra Majedi
Abstract
Several factors, including insufficient financial resources, organizational disparities, widespread technological reliance, high costs of services, unnecessary prescriptions, superfluous testing, and unjustified service requests, contribute to the most pressing issues in health insurance management. A fundamental problem lies in the flawed systems, necessitating significant changes in managerial approaches. In particular, the redesign of financing mechanisms and the relationships between the insured, insurers, and healthcare providers, such as hospitals and paraclinic centers, has become imperative. Analyzing the medical insurance system in Iran and comparing it to other countries highlights the importance of risk transfer to insurance institutions and their relationships with healthcare service providers as key factors influencing the efficiency and effectiveness of the medical insurance system. This study aims to explore contemporary models of medical insurance management globally, with a focus on managed care. In this context, various forms of managed care, their mechanisms and implementation, organizational structures, and control and monitoring systems will be identified and analyzed. Ultimately, a suitable model tailored to Iran’s context will be proposed.
Keywords: health insurance, Managed Care Organization, Iran, medical expenditure
Examining the Issue of Vehicle Depreciation Caused by Accidents and Incidents
Authors: Sayed Mohammad Taqi Fadhl Hashemi
Coordinator: Azadeh Bahador, Dr. Maryam Ethnoashari, and Ismail Fallahi
Abstract
Accident-related damages can be broadly categorized into two types: direct and indirect. Direct damages are those that are visibly apparent and are compensated through the insurance payout. In contrast, indirect damages are not immediately visible but result in a reduction in the vehicle's value. This reduction in value, commonly referred to as "vehicle depreciation," occurs when a car is involved in an accident. Despite repairs being carried out to the highest standards, a vehicle’s market value will typically decrease following an accident, as potential buyers are reluctant to pay the pre-accident price for a car that has been damaged.
Vehicle depreciation is defined as the difference in a car's market value before and after an accident. Notably, most insurance policies globally cover the depreciation of the damaged vehicle, rather than the one responsible for the accident. While the issue of depreciation is widely acknowledged in many countries as a recognized liability, claims for compensation have often been directed toward the insurance industry. This unresolved issue has led to widespread dissatisfaction among policyholders and victims, eroding trust in the insurance sector. In many cases, policyholders are forced to file lawsuits and endure lengthy legal processes to receive compensation for the loss in value.
This research project was conducted in five distinct sections: 1) Investigating the issue of vehicle depreciation within the country; 2) Reviewing statistics on depreciation claims paid out by insurers; 3) Analyzing the treatment of depreciation in foreign insurance markets; 4) Conducting interviews with industry experts to identify challenges and potential solutions; 5) Proposing actionable, localized solutions based on both domestic and international practices, alongside results from the expert interviews.
Keywords: accident, car damage, car depreciation, compensation, filing claim