his car becomes immediately much less careful in driving; and the exponents of auto-suggestion would probably tell us that anyone who insures against sickness is likely to be ill, from the mere fact that he thinks about it.
Competition in insurance is keen, especially in foreign countries, and most of our great composite companies do a large business abroad; and its management needs the highest skill and vigilance to keep an even balance between the necessity of working at rates which shall meet competition and attract custom, and that of making full provision against the risks involved. At the same time insurance business is one in which established reputation and prestige are of enormous value—if you buy a knife or a pair of boots you have got your article and there's an end on't, and you are not concerned further with the seller. If you buy insurance of your warehouse against fire or of your ship against marine risks, you are very greatly concerned to be certain that the seller will, if you have to make a claim at some future date, be not only solvent but prompt and fair in meeting it. It need not be said that in these respects the British offices have an unrivalled reputation the world over, so that as long as they are given a fair chance by local legislators, they are well equipped to keep their flag flying.
