Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary Gen Re has shrugged off a torrid claims period earlier this year to post encouraging results in the third quarter.

Gen Re property and casualty premiums earned in the third quarter were $US750 million ($738 million), compared with $US748 million ($736 million) for the corresponding period in 2010.

Property underwriting results for Gen Re in the third quarter included catastrophe losses of $US126 million ($124 million) that related to events in Japan, New Zealand, the US, Europe and Australia.

Gen Re reported pre-tax underwriting gains of $US114 million ($112 million), slightly down from the $US119 million ($117 million) achieved in the third quarter of 2010.

Life and health premiums increased by 6.2% to $US40 million ($39 million) for the third quarter, while pre-tax gains for underwriting in life and health were down by $US48 million ($47 million).