a.s.r. operates in nearly all Dutch insurance markets and aims to maintain cordial and transparent working relationships with stakeholders in the markets in which it operates, public and private.
a.s.r. governance of engagement efforts
The coordination of political engagement by a.s.r. and the related outreach to key policymakers and stakeholders is overseen at Management Board level, ensuring that a.s.r.'s stated policies and ambitions are the guiding considerations for such efforts.
Civil society participation
In fulfilling its role within civil society and as contributor to the ‘polder model’ - the consultative policymaking process employed in Dutch politics - a.s.r. values a balanced dialogue with national interest groups, grass-roots initiatives, and legislators. According to Article 4.1 of the statutes of incorporation, a.s.r.'s interests are aligned with those of all its stakeholders, including civil society. This alignment drives a.s.r. to pursue its stated ESG goals, whether in collaboration with trade associations and other memberships or through specific a.s.r. initiatives.
On occasion, a.s.r. will independently enter the public debate on matters that are closely linked to the fundamentals of its core markets. For example, in February 2024, Dutch financial press quoted concerns by a.s.r. CEO Jos Baeten, calling for an improvement in the Dutch investor climate. In the summer of 2024, a.s.r. CEO urged via the press for government participation in reaching insurability of growing flooding risks, resulting from climate change.
Another instance took place in August of 2024, when the CEO of a.s.r. reminded the Dutch government that rigid price regulation of rental housing will be self-defeating when it leaves institutional investors without sufficient leeway to pursue the triple goals of profitability, sustainability, and affordability in Dutch rental housing markets.
Formal exchange of views with authorities
a.s.r. engages in direct contacts with formal government counterparts such as regulatory bodies, government agencies and policy makers. a.s.r. requires that public affairs, lobbying and political network activities all comply to the highest standards and best practices.
To this end, a.s.r. is a signatory of the Dutch Association for Public Affairs' (Beroepsvereniging voor Public Affairs - BVPA) Code of Conduct and the Dutch Insurers Code of Conduct. a.s.r. is registered with the EU transparency registry.
More generally, a.s.r. contributes to the political dialogue on industry standards, compliance and other policy developments via its membership and participation in the various trade associations that reflect a.s.r. strategy and operations.
In 2024, a.s.r. was a member of the following national trade associations and as such represented in their respective EU affiliations:
Dutch Association of Insurers (Verbond van Verzekeraars);
Dutch Association of Institutional Investors in Real Estate (Vereniging van Institutionele Beleggers in Vastgoed - IVBN);
Dutch Association of Healthcare Insurers (Zorgverzekeraars Nederland);
Dutch Fund and Asset Management Association (DUFAS);
Association of publicly listed companies at Amsterdam Euronext exchange (VEUO).
a.s.r. participates actively within those organisations in working groups, ad hoc platforms and at board level. This strong participation allows a.s.r. to monitor and enhance the alignment of the positions expressed by associations with the a.s.r.'s long-term strategy. At the same time, memberships of industry associations provide a platform to develop and share industry best practices.
Two Executive Board members of a.s.r. have a chair position within an industry association.
Due to its membership of the Dutch Association of Insurers, a.s.r. is also represented in the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW). As the preeminent platform for Dutch employers and trade associations, VNO-NCW is formally assigned eight of 36 seats in the Dutch Social and Economic Council (SER), the deliberative body that provides official advice on social economic issues to the Dutch government and parliament.
Membership fees to trade associations
In 2024, the total membership fees to these trade associations amounted to € 5.14 million (2023: € 2.96 million). Fees to these trade associations is based on a percentages of the premiums volume, assets under management and type of stock exchange listing.
Dutch Association of Insurers (Verbond van Verzekeraars): € 4,577,403 (2023: € 2,269,000);
Dutch Association of Healthcare Insurers (Zorgverzekeraars Nederland): € 439,490 (2023: € 601,000);
IVBN: € 80,000 (2023: € 50,000);
DUFAS: € 34,498 (2023: € 29,000);
VEUO: € 9,378 (2023: € 6,958).
In line with its Code of Conduct, a.s.r. does not contribute financially to political parties.