Zurich Financial Services Group has beaten analysts' forecasts to record a 22% rise in net profit to $US5.6 billion ($6.2 billion) for last year.

The Swiss insurer enjoyed a 4% increase in gross written premiums and general insurance fees to $US35.7 billion ($39.6 billion).

Operating profit from general insurance operations climbed 6% to $US4 billion ($4.4 billion).

But Zurich's combined ratio jumped 1.7 percentage points to 95.6%, reflecting weaker underwriting profitability.