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Zilkens' News Blog 24 2026

More good news from our company: Bastian Bauer will join Petter Börgers on the management board of Zilkens Fine Art Insurance Broker GmbH. Bastian Bauer, who is responsible for finance at Attikon and also serves as managing director for other group companies, will oversee accounting and financial reporting, whilst Petter Börgers will manage client and insurer relations – without whom our business simply wouldn’t run.

The mood among insurance brokers regarding new business is currently negative – as reflected in so many of the sentiment reports emerging from the German press. No one is saying it outright – but the upcoming World Cup is likely to be partly to blame. Experience shows that customers’ willingness to switch providers is even more limited at this time of year, as national fervour distracts them from many other matters. From Thursday, night shifts will be worked to stage one of the most environmentally damaging World Cups. Mexico and Canada, which Trump wants/wanted(?) to subjugate, are jointly hosting this first-class extravaganza with the US. If Germany is knocked out in the group stage, the tense atmosphere in the country is likely to rise further. The elections in Saxony-Anhalt will likely still be conducted with a ‘firewall’ mentality, because no one is openly addressing the AfD’s policy points to demonstrate that their approach to education and cultural policy – among many others – stems from an era to which my generation certainly does not wish to return, as it was characterised by conformity and hatred of minorities.

Berlin remains the city with the most burglaries in the country – 29 a day – whereas Bremerhaven records fewer than one burglary a day – it’s actually hard to believe when you ask around among your friends. In relation to its population, Mühlheim an der Ruhr tops the list. From an insurance perspective, therefore, the risk of theft remains a challenge.

Insurers have recently invested heavily in social media to reach younger customers in particular. A study has now found that the proportion of younger people interested in insurance products via these channels has fallen from 37% to 30%. Personal advice seems to be becoming more important again in this complex product landscape. After all, you are buying a piece of paper whose worth only becomes apparent when you find yourself in a situation you would rather not be in. And then often come those with a legal background, explaining why the product is not supposed to apply in that particular instance. With an insurance broker at your side, the chances increase that you can successfully remind the insurer of its commitment to pay out.

The ATTIKON Group – comprising around 300 people from some 40 brokerage firms – is meeting today and tomorrow in Frankfurt to improve collaboration between companies that were previously competitors, thereby creating active added value for all customers. I wish them every success.

Stefan Kobel has put together a comprehensive piece – a fast start and a bit of a let-down at the end. It’s well worth a read.

Wishing you a hopefully pleasant week, Stephan Zilkens and the team at Zilkens Fine Art Insurance Broker GmbH, who will be available to assist you as usual from Wednesday onwards.