The householders class of general insurance secured a third straight period of positive results in the December quarter, according to Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data.

The segment’s results have been closely watched after poor performances in recent years. It returned to profit in the June quarter of last year as GWP rose and claims pressures eased.

In the December quarter, householders gross written premium rose to $4.22 billion from $3.97 billion in the preceding three months, the number of risks written increased to 3.15 million from 3.1 million, and incurred claims increased to $2.1 billion from $1.79 billion. 

The insurance service result, a measurement of underwriting performance, eased to $208 million from $416 million; in the year-earlier December quarter the class made a $681 million loss. 

The net combined operating ratio for short-tail property overall, which includes householders, domestic motor, commercial motor, and fire and industrial special risks, was steady at 88.1%. 

The overall general insurance industry’s after-tax profit declined to $1.72 billion in the December quarter from $2.08 billion in the September period amid a drop in investments. 

Total insurance revenue rose 1.5% to $19.5 billion, with the insurance service result slightly weaker at $2.17 billion compared with $2.21 billion. 

The investment result, which moved around significantly from quarter to quarter over the past calendar year, eased to $998 million from $1.84 billion. 

A total of 88 entities were included in the December report, down from 89 in the September quarter. 

The statistics are available here.