Letter to Shareholders
Zurich Insurance Group Letter to Shareholders Annual results 2021
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to propose a dividend of
The Property & Casualty (P&C) business achieved the best combined ratio in 15 years and double digit top-line growth. Commercial insurance in particular benefited from disciplined underwriting, higher prices and an increase in new business. Higher risk-adjusted prices and continued measured progress towards our growth ambitions took P&C gross written premiums to more than
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board |
Group Chief Executive |
|
of Directors |
Officer |
1 Estimated Swiss Solvency Test ratio (SST) ratio, calculated based on the Group's internal model approved by the
Business operating profit (2020:
Net income attributable to shareholders (2020:
212%
Swiss Solvency Test ratio1 (January 1, 2021: 182%)
14.0%
Business operating profit after tax retuon common shareholders' equity (2020: 11.0%)
Proposed dividend per share (2020:
Strong performance
Full-year 2021 business operating profit (BOP) was
Net income after tax attributable to shareholders was
36 percent compared with the prior-year period. This reflects the improvement in BOP, supported by higher levels of realized capital gains.
The Group's capital position is very strong. The Swiss Solvency Test (SST)1 ratio was estimated at 212 percent, an increase of 31 percentage points over the prior year and well in excess of the Group's target for an SST ratio of 160 percent or above. The planned sale to GamaLife of a life and pension back book in
Property & Casualty
Property & Casualty BOP of
The Group achieved price increases of 7 percent in the year, driven by commercial insurance across all regions, with the level of price increases well above claims cost inflation.
Life
The Group's Life business delivered a strong performance over 2021, with continued focus on the execution of its long-term strategy to grow protection and capital-light savings products. Full-year BOP of
Life new business annual premium equivalent (APE) sales returned to growth, with a 5 percent increase on a like-for-like2 basis. The rise in sales reflects favorable growth momentum in unit-linked and protection products.
Farmers
Gross written premiums of the Farmers Exchanges3 increased 20 percent in the year. Excluding the contribution of the
Farmers BOP of
A strong franchise
Throughout 2021, the Group continued to advance its customer-focused strategy, increasing the use of customer insights to improve their experience. This is reflected in continued improvements in customer satisfaction (as measured by net promoter system scores) in most of the Group's retail markets.
These improvements, together with demand through partnership distribution channels, supported further growth in the number of retail customers⁴ by 2.2 million to 55.4 million, despite ongoing uncertainty from the pandemic.
- Like-for-likecomparisons represent the change in local currencies and are adjusted for the SME portfolio transfer of
CSS Versicherung AG inSwitzerland , the portion ofAdira Insurance business inIndonesia written in 2019 after the deal completion in November 28, 2019, but booked in 2020, the sale
of theUK retail wealth business, the sale of group life business in theU.S. , the acquisition of theMetLife U.S. P&C business, and the reclassification of Zurich Global Employee Benefit Solutions from Life toZurich Global Ventures in Group Functions and Operations. Zurich Insurance Group has no ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges.Farmers Group, Inc. , a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, provides certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges as its attorney-in-fact and receives fees for its services.- Based on 8 retail markets, i.e.,
Australia ,Brazil ,Germany ,Japan ,Italy , Santander JV,Spain ,Switzerland .
Technology is also playing a critical role in maintaining
With many customers in the
Sharpening our focus on sustainability
The extreme weather events of 2021 again highlight the pressing need to take collective action to address climate change. The insurance industry has a natural alignment with the sustainability agenda, and we are particularly proud of our work in this area throughout the past year as we continue to reinforce
The Group has established ambitious decarbonization goals for its operations and investment portfolios and has strengthened its ambition to reduce exposure to the industries that emit the most CO2.
Employee satisfaction remains at its highest level since 2017, thanks in part to the support provided to employees during the ongoing pandemic and the Group's long-term goal to enhance training, provide career opportunities and increase diversity. As part of this priority,
Board nomination
The Board of Directors will propose the election of
Looking ahead
In November 2022, we will chart our course for the next three years, setting targets for a new strategic cycle. As we take stock of how far
We thank you for your continued engagement and support. Yours sincerely,
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the |
Group Chief |
|
Board of Directors |
Executive Officer |
Financial calendar
Annual General Meeting
April 06, 2022
Dividend payable from
April 12, 2022
Half-year results
August 11, 2022
Note: all dates are subject to change
Disclaimer and cautionary statement
Certain statements in this document are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives of
be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and plans and objectives of
(in particular applicable exclusions) of insurance policies as written and interpreted by the Group and may be subject to regulatory, legislative, governmental and litigation-related developments affecting the extent of potential losses covered by a member of the Group or potentially exposing the Group to additional losses if terms or conditions are retroactively amended by way of legislative or regulatory action. Zurich
All references to 'Farmers Exchanges' mean
of Governors.
It should be noted that past performance is not a guide to future performance. Please also note that interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year results.
Persons requiring advice should consult an independent adviser.
This communication does not constitute an offer or an invitation for the sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction.
THIS COMMUNICATION DOES NOT CONTAIN AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN
The Letter to Shareholders is published in English and German. In the event of inconsistencies in the German translation, the English original version shall prevail.
Contact information
Registered Office
Zurich
Mythenquai 2, 8002 Zurich,
For more information please visit:
Attachments
Disclaimer


California Moves To Grant Health Care To Immigrants; Is NY Next?
(02.2022) Press release 4Q 2021 results
Advisor News
- IRI pitches retirement agenda to Jeffries as democrats shape affordability platform
- Help child-free clients plan for their later years
- When new investment trends emerge, Gen Z is most likely generation to be first in
- Could ‘plain English’ become an advisor’s secret weapon?
- IRI urges Senate action on 403(b) parity legislation
More Advisor NewsAnnuity News
- Guidance, bulletin or reg? NAIC debates form of annuity illustration update
- Nationwide adds mutual fund-linked strategy to New Heights Select FIA
- NUNN INTRODUCES BILL TO CUT RED TAPE, GIVE IOWANS CLEARER INSURANCE INFORMATION
- NAIC working group pressed to accelerate annuity illustration overhaul
- State Auditor James Brown Kicks Off Life Insurance Awareness Month With Policy Locator Tool
More Annuity NewsHealth/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News