Best’s Special Report: U.S. Property/Casualty Industry’s Net Income Jumped 70% in 2018

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry’s net income improved significantly to $61.4 billion in 2018, a $25.2 billion increase from the prior year, aided by a reduction in catastrophe losses and an increase in net investment income. These preliminary results are detailed in a new Best’s Special Report, titled, “First Look: 2018 Property/Casualty Financial Results,” and the data is derived from companies’ 2018 annual statutory statements received as of Mar. 11, 2019, representing an estimated 96% of the total P/C industry’s net premiums written.

The report states that increases in premiums written and earned outpaced the increase in incurred losses and expenses, and as a result, the P/C industry’s combined ratio for 2018 improved 4.4 points to 99.3 from 103.7 in 2017. AM Best estimates that catastrophe losses accounted for 5.9 points on the 2018 combined ratio, down from an estimated 10.1 points in the prior year. The improvement in net income and $6.2 billion in additional contributed capital was more than countered by a $99.7 billion decline in unrealized gains and $5.5 billion in additional stockholder dividends, resulting in industry surplus declining 0.6% to $741.0 billion from the end of 2017.

To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=283645.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190315005255/en/

Matthew Coppola

Associate Director

– Corporate Data Management

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5627

matthew.coppola@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy

Director, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: AM Best