The Sars outbreak took a toll on Hong Kong's insurers last month, as sales of life and travel insurance policies fell.
Life sales were affected as agents found it hard to arrange face-to-face meetings with potential clients, Insurance Commissioner Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun told the South China Morning Post yesterday.
'Even if clients are willing to meet agents, many of them are reluctant to go to clinics or hospitals to have medical check-ups as required under the terms of the policies,' he said.
It was inevitable that the local insurance industry would be affected by Sars, he said.
'But in the longer term, it should lead to an increased demand for insurance as people become more aware of the need for protection,' Mr Tang said.
'Travel insurance has been the sector hit hardest due to the drop in business and leisure travellers because of the Sars outbreak.'
