The National Insurance Institution (INS in Spanish), hitherto the
holder of the state insurance monopoly, is getting ready to compete in
an open market now. One of the major steps towards that goal is the
establishment of four companies, one dedicated to international
business, another to services, a third to life, and a fourth to
marketing. With them and some new products, the state insurer will be
able to operate more freely vs. its competitors. INS chief executive
Guillermo Constenla said that as soon as the opening of the insurance
market was passed at Congress, the institution moved to adjust to the
new times.