Munich Re’s insurance portfolio slips
Munich Re’s primary insurance business has reported a drop of 62% in its operating result to €477 million ($934 million).
Lower investment results and a writedown after acquiring a majority stake in Bank Austria Creditanstalt Versicherung have contributed to a drop in the reinsurer’s insurance segment, largely comprising the Ergo Insurance Group.
Ergo CEO Torsten Oletzky says the acquisition will strengthen the insurer’s position in the bancassurance sector even if it has initially had a negative effect on its result.
“The fact that we have come through the crisis reasonably well so far in primary insurance is mainly thanks to our very good underwriting,” he said.
The combined ratio in property-casualty insurance was 91.2% compared to 93.4% in 2007.
While Munich Re says it is not giving a prognosis for this year’s outlook because of the difficult economic conditions and market volatility, it anticipates gross premium income in reinsurance will be €21-22 billion ($41-43 billion) and €17.5-18.5 billion ($34-36 billion) in primary insurance, and is aiming for a group combined ratio of 97% compared with last year’s 99.5%.
Lower investment results and a writedown after acquiring a majority stake in Bank Austria Creditanstalt Versicherung have contributed to a drop in the reinsurer’s insurance segment, largely comprising the Ergo Insurance Group.
Ergo CEO Torsten Oletzky says the acquisition will strengthen the insurer’s position in the bancassurance sector even if it has initially had a negative effect on its result.
“The fact that we have come through the crisis reasonably well so far in primary insurance is mainly thanks to our very good underwriting,” he said.
The combined ratio in property-casualty insurance was 91.2% compared to 93.4% in 2007.
While Munich Re says it is not giving a prognosis for this year’s outlook because of the difficult economic conditions and market volatility, it anticipates gross premium income in reinsurance will be €21-22 billion ($41-43 billion) and €17.5-18.5 billion ($34-36 billion) in primary insurance, and is aiming for a group combined ratio of 97% compared with last year’s 99.5%.