The top insurers after the first semester

Astra Asigurări climbed to the top of the insurance company list at the end of the first semester, after registering an increase of over 40% of the subscribed gross premiums in the first six months, of up to lei 575 million, as indicated by the data published by the National Union of Insurance Companies in Romania (UNSAR). At the end of June 2009, Astra came in third in the insurer top, outrivaled by Allianz-Ţiriac and Omniasig.

Astra, the only insurance company present in the top ten with a Romanian majority capital, became a market leader after the first three months of 2010, outrivaling the company that had been a market leader for several years - Allianz-Ţiriac - due to the high sales of vehicle liability insurance policies. Allianz subscribed gross premiums amounting to lei 496 million, during its first semester, registering a decrease from lei 670 million during the same term in the previous year. Omniasig - ending up on the last level of the top - also registered a decrease in the subscribed gross premiums in the first six months, to lei 484 million, from lei 596 million in January-June 2009. The following two places in the top are held by Groupama and BCR Asigurări, with subscribed gross premiums of lei 368 million, respectively lei 237 million. Groupama, a company established in 2009 after the merger between Asiban and BT Asigurări, registered a 9% decrease of its business during the first semester. The premiums subscribed by BCR Asigurări - taken over by the Vienna Insurance Austrian group - have also decreased by 24% in the first six months, to lei 237 million. Asirom, coming in fourth at the end of the first semester last year, has dropped to the sixth position in June, with subscribed premiums of lei 236. Uniqa, Generali, Euroins and Carpatica Asigurări held the last positions in the top, while Ardaf was the first company under their level.

In the top compensations that were paid, Omniasig took the lead with lei 347 million, followed by Groupama, Astra and Allianz. The level of net premium reserves exceeds the gross premiums subscribed by several companies in the top 10, and it was lower than this level for Uniqa, Euroins, Carpatica Asig, Omniasig, Asirom.

Source: Ziarul Financiar

Date: 05-09-2010