Best’s Special Report: Preliminary First-Half 2019 Results Show Reduced Underwriting Income for U.S. Property/Casualty Industry

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The U.S. property/casualty industry’s net underwriting income declined by 9.6% to $4.8 billion in the first half of 2019, compared with $5.3 billion in the same prior-year period. This financial review is detailed in a new Best’s Special Report, titled, “First Look – Six-Month 2019 Property/Casualty Financial Results,” and the data is derived from companies’ six-month 2019 interim statutory statements that were received as of Aug. 20, 2019, representing an estimated 97% of the total property/casualty industry’s net premiums written.

Net earned premiums grew by 3.8% in first-half 2019, and underwriting expenses and policyholder dividends were stable; however, this was offset by a 5.6% increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) incurred. As a result, the combined ratio for the property/casualty industry weakened by one percentage point from the prior-year period to 97.4. AM Best estimates catastrophe losses accounted for 4.5 percentage points on the six-month 2019 combined ratio, up from an estimated 4.2 percentage points in the prior-year period.

A $432 million increase in net investment income during first-half 2019 offset most of the underwriting decline, resulting in pre-tax operating income remaining unchanged at $33.1 billion. Due to a $1.2 billion reduction in realized capital gains, industry net income declined 2.4% from the prior-year period to $32.7 billion.

To access a copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=289014.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.

Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Matthew Coppola

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Christopher Sharkey

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Jim Peavy

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Source: AM Best