Comparing Single- and Multichannel Distribution Strategies in the German Life Insurance Market: An Analysis of Cost and Profit Efficiency

To explain the success of different distribution strategies in the life insurance industry, we analyze the performance of single- and multichannel distribution firms in the German life insurance industry. We estimate cost and profit efficiency for three groups of life insurers: multichannel insurers, direct insurers, and independent agent insurers. We use nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis to calculate efficiencies for German life insurers for the years 1997-2005. We identify the absence of performance advantages of specialized insurers as the most important reason for the coexistence of different distribution systems.