Santam Rated Primary African Insurer for 2006

Leading South African insurance company, Santam, has been named primary African-based insurance company for 2006 by Reactions, a highly respected monthly international global insurance, reinsurance and associated financial markets publication.

Traditionally the primary insurance company of the year awards are geared toward the enormous global multi-national insurance companies such as AIG, Munich Re, Benfield and Zurich.

However, as one of the most widely read insurance-focused publications in the world, three years ago Reactions added regional categories to the rating system to establish the finest insurance companies in Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Judging is done via extensive reader polls through CEOs, CFOs and other senior level executives in the insurance, reinsurance and broking industries, as well as CFO's and Risk Managers of Fortune 500 and FTSE 500 companies.

Said Santam chief executive, Steffen Gilbert, 'This is the first year that we achieved top honours. In the two years previous, the world's largest insurance company AIG took the honours.

'Not only are we extremely proud to have received this award, but pleased that it has reinforced our position as South Africa's biggest short-term insurer and highlighted how successfully the Santam brand is growing.'