Hannover Re broadly satisfied with outcome of 1 January treaty renewals

Hannover, 4 February 2015:

Hannover Re is largely satisfied with the outcome of the treaty renewals as at 1 January 2015 in light of the challenging business environment, even though the rate quality of the renewed portfolio fell short of the previous year. "The price decline in many markets was significant compared to the previous year. Thanks to our good rating and long-standing customer relationships we nevertheless achieved a rather pleasing outcome. Despite our systematic selective underwriting policy we were able to keep our portfolio stable", Ulrich Wallin, Chief Executive Officer of Hannover Re, explained. German and US business held up especially well in this renewal season.

The treaty renewals were particularly notable for a clear trend towards increased retentions carried by ceding companies. This was due to the fact that market-changing major losses were again absent in 2014 and hence the capital resources of primary insurers improved still further. The inflow of capital from alternative markets (ILS) continued to put prices under additional pressure, above all in natural catastrophe business. This led to rate reductions in many areas and in some cases deteriorations in conditions. It was, however, possible to push through rate increases under programmes that had suffered losses in 2014. This was especially true of Germany. The significant losses incurred in the aviation line, on the other hand, did little to boost prices.

Of the total premium volume booked in the previous year in property and casualty reinsurance (excluding facultative business and structured reinsurance) amounting to EUR 6,179 million, roughly two-thirds of the treaties with a volume of altogether EUR 3,988 million were up for renewal as at 1 January 2015. Of this, a premium volume of EUR 3,617 million was renewed, while treaties worth EUR 371 million were either cancelled or renewed in modified form. Including increases of EUR 350 million from new treaties and – to a more limited extent – from changes in prices and treaty shares, the total renewed premium volume thus came in at EUR 4,023 million; this is equivalent to an increase of 1% at unchanged exchange rates.

Target markets

The treaty renewals in North American business passed off satisfactorily: property business presented a broadly stable picture, albeit with poorer commissions in some instances. Whereas heavier pressure on rates could be felt in general liability, the professional indemnity lines proved more robust. Slight rate increases were recorded in Canada owing to the losses incurred in 2013 and 2014. All in all, the rate level in the United States continued to be commensurate with the risks, thereby enabling us – in part also through targeted new business acquisition – to grow the premium volume in North America by altogether 5%.

In Germany, the largest single market within the segment of Continental Europe, Hannover Re was again able to expand its already excellent position through its subsidiary E+S Rück. Further price increases were obtained for non-proportional motor own damage covers on account of losses from windstorm and hail events of the previous years. Both here and in homeowners' comprehensive insurance the rate quality has improved. There is still ground to make up in non-proportional motor liability business, while the situation in industrial fire insurance also remains strained – prompting the company to write such risks highly selectively. The total portfolio in the domestic German market closed with a modest premium gain due to new customer relationships.

In France Hannover Re was able to position itself well as the purchasers of reinsurance protection applied more rigorous selection criteria. The markets of Eastern Europe are intensely competitive in view of their growth potential, as a consequence of which rates came under appreciable pressure in some countries.

Specialty lines

In marine reinsurance a worsening in the loss experience from the wrecks of the "Costa Concordia" and "Rena" prevented a more substantial drop in prices. Rates for the reinsurance of offshore risks declined as anticipated. All in all, the renewed premium volume contracted marginally.

The significant major losses incurred in the aviation line in 2014 had only a qualified positive effect on the rate trend. Rate increases remained limited owing to the continued plentiful availability of insurance capacities. Nor did any appreciable hardening take hold in the market for war covers. The premium volume booked for the entire aviation line contracted by 8%.

Hannover Re is satisfied with the outcome of the renewals in credit and surety reinsurance, where around three-quarter of the portfolio was up for renegotiation. Hannover Re was able to maintain its market share. The premium volume retreated, however, as a reflection of the higher retentions carried by ceding companies.

Global reinsurance

The picture in Hannover Re's global reinsurance segment was a mixed one: the company is satisfied with its treaty renewals in Latin America, although the main round of renewals will not take place until 1 July 2015. Despite soft market conditions overall and fiercely competitive placements, the company maintained its market position in the region and achieved prices that were commensurate with the risks. Most notably, existing customer relationships and the premium volume were expanded in Brazil, thereby offsetting slight declines in premium from other countries.

The growth potential for agricultural covers remains considerable, above all in emerging markets. Both here and in the United States the company was able to enlarge this portfolio thanks to its intimate market knowledge.

In natural catastrophe business developments varied: while US property catastrophe business saw declining rates, as anticipated, owing to the absence of market-changing major losses, price increases were achieved in other regions. Most notably, improvements of 5% to 10% were attainable in Germany under loss-impacted programmes. The premium volume booked by the company increased by altogether 8%.

Outlook for 2015

Despite softer market conditions overall in property and casualty reinsurance, it is Hannover Re's assumption that the underwriting result should again be in the region of the 2014 figure provided major losses remain within the expected range. In view of its very good positioning in the reinsurance market and the high quality of its loss reserves, the company should – depending on the burden of major losses in property and casualty reinsurance – be able to generate good underwriting results again in 2015, even though the rate quality in the reinsurance market has deteriorated appreciably. Based on anticipated stronger profitability in life and health reinsurance as well as stable income – in absolute terms – expected from investments under own management, Hannover Re is confident of achieving its declared profit targets.

Hannover Re expects to generate a stable or slightly higher gross premium volume in the 2015 financial year based on constant exchange rates. The return on investment is expected to come in around 3.0%, with Group net income anticipated in the order of EUR 875 million. As usual, all statements are subject to the proviso that major loss expenditure does not exceed the anticipated level of EUR 690 million and that there are no unforeseen adverse movements on capital markets.