Russian Visitor Learning About Insurance Field

The economic research chief of the Russian Academy of Sciences is visiting Ventura County as part of a world tour designed to help her and her partners establish a privately owned insurance company in the former Soviet Union.

The economist, Inna Schneiderman, is one of five owners of Figes Co., a Moscow firm that plans to sell health and life insurance. Much of Russia’s universal health-care system is being replaced by the private sector, Schneiderman said.

During her trip, Schneiderman will study insurance operations in the United States and Canada. She is the guest of Walt Reimer, agent in charge of Allstate Insurance Co.’s office on Market Street in Ventura.

“The idea of offering people freedom of choice in insurance and other fields is new and exciting in my country,” Schneiderman said. She added that the introduction of free enterprise in her nation offers “tremendous opportunities for American companies to go to Russia and make profits while helping our people at the same time.”