Allianz SE : Why is a glove box called a glove box?

Since the existence of cars many items have been kept in glove boxes. From mirrors to small revolvers for dangerous drives on deserted highways. Why specifically the glove has proven itself successful as eponym, is revealed in our Discovery of the Week. This and even more astonishing facts are found on Allianz Open Knowledge.

Glove box

The future of buying a car

Sustainability is a very important subject for Allianz. Today we make promises to our customers that we have to keep in the future. Our video explains how we manage to do this.

More on Sustainability on allianz.com

It's that time again! When spring comes, the convertibles awaken from their winter hibernation. Nothing is better than a sunny day in a convertible. The downside: When the weather is bad, there is little joy, and the rooftop stays shut. But what if there were a sunshine guarantee? Say the driver gets some compensation when the skies go gray? Disappointed motorists can even get that bad weather risk covered in some markets though their manufacturers. At a certain point in the year, for example, they can get 100 euros per rainy day as a little consolation for Mother Nature's more sullen moods when folks want to drive with the top down.

Read more in the Study "The Weather Business"

Fresh water has no substitute-and only a fraction of today's supply is safe for consumption. Given a fast-growing world population, the massive urbanization of developing nations and poor infrastructure in developed countries, the need for water is set to grow exponentially.

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Republication royalty free if source is named: allianz.com / Allianz Global Investors.

Piracy attacks are still a concern. In 2013, piracy attacks declined by eleven percent to 264 reported incidents worldwide according to International Maritime Bureau statistics. The AGCS Shipping Review 2014 suggests the piracy model could be broken in Somalia in a couple of years if naval patrols continue.

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Republication royalty free if source is named: allianz.com / AGCS

As a long-term insurer and investor, sustainability has been a part of Allianz's business for more than 120 years. Many sustainability issues influence our daily work, presenting both challenges to overcome and opportunities to capture.

Have you ever wondered why and how a company like Allianz addresses them? Find out how we respond to the different issues, from A for alternative energy to D for diversity, and from M for Microinsurance to Z for zero emissions.

Join us on our journey

and make sure you come back to allianz.com/sustainability on March 14 to read the full 2013 Sustainability Report.

The ambitious Paralympian Anna Schaffelhuber is competing as a German medal hopeful in the category monoski at the Paralympics in Sochi. The video shows Anna explaining that she has found her calling and passion in skiing.

"London 2012 was a turning point in the history of the Paralympics: The joy at all the athletes' successes took center stage for everyone. This spirit is what makes Paralympic sports truly unique and I hope that this sprit is carried on in Sochi. Allianz wishes all Paralympians lots of fun and success," says Joe Gross, head of market management for Allianz SE.

The video of Anna Schaffelhuber at Youtube

The Hollywood production "Pompeii" is opening in theaters on February 27th. On the occasion we have dug up an infographic showing the volcanic eruptions that have been most dangerous for people. The eruption of Vesuvius in the year 79 as shown in the movie is on 10th place.

Volcanoes: the terrible beauty on earth

"Motor business is an important source of premiums. The market volume is 50 billion US dollars - the largest in the world! About 45,000 cars are sold every day. Last year the mandatory third-party motor liability insurance sector was opened to foreign insurers. Since then, foreign insurers have been able to provide the whole spectrum of motor products to customer". (Allianz China General Insurance CEO Peter Nestmann)

The new face of China

The fear of hacker attacks is rising. This is shown by the infographic "hidden risks" from the Risk Barometer by Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). Attacks from hackers were long underestimated by the business world. They have now made a big jump and appear in the Top 10 of the AGCS Risk Barometer for the first time. Which risks are more important and which ones are less relevant in 2014 are shown in this graphic.

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Download Risk Barometer

This is the sum Allianz has invested in renewable energies in the past year according to David Jones, Head of Renewables. Allianz's total investments in this area accumulate to 1.7 billion euros. The portfolio of Allianz Capital Partners (ACP) now comprises 42 wind farms in Germany, France, Italy and Sweden and seven solar parks in Italy and France.