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Property and casualty insurance

Premium volume written in property and casualty insurance

Premium development
Due to the extremely positive development in the year 2007, the UNIQA Group was able to increase its premiums written by 7.9% to €2,198 million (2006: €2,037 million). Despite the sometimes intense competition situation, in the automotive segments in particular, the premium volume in Austria increased by 2.8% to €1,268 million (2006: €1,234 million). In the Central and Eastern European regions (CEE & EEM), the rapid growth continued in 2007 as well. The premiums written grew by 23.6% to €528 million (2006: €427 million), thereby contributing 24.0% (2006: 21.0%) to the Group premiums in property and casualty insurance. However, considerable growth was also achieved in the Western European markets (particularly in Italy and Germany), with premiums written in this region rising by 6.9% to €402 million (2006: €376 million). Overall, the international share of Group premiums in this segment was 42.3% (2006: 39.4%).

Details on premium volume written in the most important risk classes can be found in the Group notes (cf. Group notes no. 30).

The retained premiums earned (according to IFRS) in casualty and property insurance totalled €1,858 million at the end of the year (2006: €1,716 million) – representing an increase of 8.3%.

Property and casualty insurance segment	2007 € million	2006 € million	2005 € million	2004 € million
Premiums written	2,198	2,037	1,934	1,656
Share CEE & NEEM	24.0%	21.0%	18.7%	18.6%
Share WEM	18.3%	18.5%	19.6%	13.4%
International share	42.3%	39.4%	38.3%	32.0%
Premiums earned (net)	1,858	1,716	1,628	1,394
Net investment income	258	141	131	89
Insurance benefits	-1,251	-1,130	-1,106	-908
Net loss ratio (after reinsurance)	67.3%	65.9%	68.0%	65.1%
Gross loss ratio (before reinsurance)	67.9%	64.1%	66.4%	63.6%
Operating expenses less reinsurance commissions	-606	-569	-553	-479
Cost ratio (after reinsurance)	32.6%	33.2%	34.0%	34.4%
Administrative cost ratio (net after reinsurance)	8.6%	9.2%	9.4%	8.4%
Net-Combined ratio (after reinsurance)	99.9%	99.0%	101.9%	99.5%
Gross-Combined ratio (before reinsurance)	98.7%	95.4%	98.2%	95.8%
Profit on ordinary activities	238	129	81	59
Net profit	193	104	54	53

Developments in insurance benefits
Due to the storm losses over the course of the year and reserve-strengthening measures, the total retained insurance benefits increased in 2007 by 10.7% to €1,251 million (2006: €1,130 million). Insurance benefits increased in Austria by 7.0% to €765 million (2006: €715 million) and in Western European countries by 20.5% to €215 million (2006: €178 million) as a result of an accumulation of major losses. In the Central and Eastern European regions (CEE & EEM), insurance benefits were up only moderately – compared with the rise in business volume – by 14.7% to €237.2 million (2006: €272 million).

As a result of this development and despite the continued, consistent implementation of reorganisation measures and risk-oriented underwriting policies, the net loss ratio (retained insurance benefits relative to premiums earned) increased by 1.4 percentage points to 67.3% (2006: 65.9%). The gross loss ratio (before reinsurance) at the end of 2007 was 67.9% (2006: 64.1%). In Austria, the net loss ratio for the past financial year was 70.2% (2006: 67.9%) and in Western Europe 73.1% (2006: 67.2%), while in the CEE & EEM regions it amounted to 57.3% (2006: 59.7%).

The level of reserves in property and casualty insurance (retained technical provisions in relation to earned premiums) rose slightly again in 2007, reaching 112.2% at the end of the year (2006: 110.9%).

Operating expenses, combined ratio
The total operating expenses less reinsurance commissions and profit shares from reinsurance business ceded increased in the property and casualty segment by 6.5% to €606 million (2006: €569 million) representing a lower rate of increase than the premiums. In the process, acquisition costs rose in line with premium income by 8.1% to €445 million (2006: €412 million), while other operating expenses increased only moderately by 2.1% to €160 million (2006: €157 million).

The cost ratio in property and casualty insurance sank in the past financial year to 32.6% (2006: 33.2%). The administrative cost ratio also declined 8.6% (2006: 9.2%). However, the net combined ratio increased due to the rise in the loss ratio and was at 99.9% in 2007 (2006: 99.0%). The combined ratio before reinsurance was 98.7% (2006: 95.4%). Excluding the losses from the storm “Kyrill”, the net combined ratio was 99.2%, placing it only slightly above the level of the previous year. The adjusted combined ratio before reinsurance was 95.9%.

Investment results
The net income from investments less financing costs increased in the past financial year by 83.4% to €258 million (2006: €141 million), primarily due to the exceptional profits from the capital increases of STRABAG SE. The capital investments in property and casualty insurance increased by 7.4% to €3,590 million (2006: €3,343 million).

Profit on ordinary activities, net profit
Profit on ordinary activities increased in property and casualty insurance in 2007 by 85.0% to €238 million (2005: €129 million). Net profit was up by 86.2% to €193 million (2006: €104 million).

Glossary

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Acquisition costs		The amount paid in currency or currency equivalent in acquiring an asset, or the current fair value of another form of payment at the time of acquisition.
Actuarial provision		Provision in the amount of the existing obligation to pay insurance claims and premium refunds, mainly in life and health insurance. The provision is calculated in line with actuarial methods as the balance of the cash value of future obligations less the cash value of future premiums.
Affiliated companies		Affiliated companies are the parent and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are companies in which the parent may exercise a controlling influence on business policy. This is the case, for instance, if the parent directly or indirectly holds more than half of the voting rights, if control agreements have been concluded or if the parent is in a position to nominate the majority of the members of the Management Board, or of other controlling bodies of the subsidiary.
Asset allocation		The structure of the investments, i.e. the portion of the total investments invested in the different vehicles of investment (e.g. shares, fixed income securities, holdings, real estate, money market instruments).
Asset liability management		Management concept in which decisions regarding company assets and liabilities are coordinated. This involves a continuous process in which strategies for assets and liabilities are formulated, implemented, monitored and revised, in order to achieve the financial goals with defined risk tolerances and restrictions.
Associated companies		These are participating interests consolidated at equity, i.e. by including them in the consolidated financial statements with the corresponding share in the equity. The major prerequisite for doing so is the possibility of the Group exercising a decisive influence on the operating and financial policy of the associated companies, regardless of whether the Group actually exercises that influence.
At amortised cost		Recognised on the balance sheets at the amortised cost, i.e. the difference between acquisition costs and the redemption amount is spread out over the corresponding pro rata term or capital share.
Benchmark method		An accounting and valuation method preferred under IFRS.
Book value (amortised acquisition costs)		The original acquisition costs minus lasting reduction in value and differences between acquisition costs and redemption amount are credited or debited to acquisition costs, with an effect on income until the amount falls due.
Cash flow statement		Shows the cash surplus from operating, investing and financing activities generated by the company during a specific period (source and use of funds).
Combined ratio		Sum of the operating expenses and the insurance benefits (both retained) in relation to the premiums earned in property and casualty insurance.
Corporate governance		Corporate governance refers to the legal and factual framework of the management and monitoring of companies. Corporate governance regulations are geared towards transparency and thus strengthen the trust in management and control focusing on value creation.
Cost ratio		Operating expenses (retained) in relation to premiums earned.
Deferred acquisition costs		These comprise the expenses incurred by an insurance company for concluding new insurance policies or renewing existing policies. Amongst other costs, they include acquisition commissions and expenses for handling the proposal form and risk underwriting.
Deferred taxes (active/passive)		Deferred taxes arise from temporary differences between the commercial balance sheet and the balance sheet for tax purposes, and those resulting from uniform valuation standards throughout the Group. The calculation of deferred taxes is based on the specific tax rates of each country that the Group companies are based in; changes in the tax rate that have been decided on as at the balance sheet date are included.
Deposits receivable/payable under reinsurance business		Amount receivable by the reinsurance company from the ceding company on the basis of the reinsurance business accepted by the reinsurer and which, for the latter, is similar to an investment. The amount equals the amount the ceding company provides as collateral. Analogously: deposits payable.
Derivatives		Financial contracts whose value depends on the price development of an underlying asset.
Direct insurance business		Insurance contract taken out by a direct (primary) insurance company with a private person or company, as opposed to reinsurance business accepted (indirect business) which refers to the business accepted from another direct (primary) insurer or reinsurance company.
Diversification		Diversification is a business policy instrument that generally involves positioning or distributing the activities of a company over various areas to avoid dependence on single factors.
Duration		The weighted average maturity of an interest-sensitive financial investment or a portfolio. It is a risk measure of the sensitivity of financial investments to changes in the rate of interest.
Earnings per share		The consolidated profit for the year divided by the average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include subscription rights exercised or to be exercised in the number of shares, and in the consolidated profit for the year.
Earned premiums		The premiums earned on an accrual basis, which determine the year's income. For calculating the amount of earned premiums, in addition to gross premiums written, the change in unearned premiums in the business year, the provision for expected cancellations and other receivables from unwritten premiums are considered.
Equity method		Method used for recognising the interests in associated companies. They are, in principle, valued at the Group's share in the equity of these companies. In the case of interests in companies which also prepare consolidated financial statements, the valuation is based on the share in Group equity. Under current valuation, this measurement is to be adjusted for proportional equity changes, with the interest in the net income for the year being allocated to the consolidated result.
FAS		US Financial Accounting Standards laying down specifics of US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
Goodwill		Excess over the purchase price for a subsidiary and the share in its equity after winding up the hidden reserves attributable to the purchaser on the date of acquisition.
Gross amounts		Presentation of the balance sheet items prior to the deduction of the amount which is allocated to the business ceded to a reinsurer.
Hedging		A way of insuring oneself against unwanted price fluctuations by the use of adequate counter positions, particularly in derivatives.
IAS		International Accounting Standards.
IFRS		International Financial Reporting Standards. As of 2002, the term IFRS refers to the entire concept of standards adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board. Standards that were adopted before that are still called International Accounting Standards (IAS).
Insurance benefits		Expenses (net of the reinsurer's share) arising from claim settlement, premium refunds and profit participation, and from changes in the actuarial provisions.
Loss ratio		Retained insurance benefits in property and casualty insurance, in relation to premiums earned.
Minority interests		Shares in the equity of associated companies that are not held by Group companies.
Minority interests in net profit		The share of net profit allocated not to the Group, but to shareholders outside of the Group holding interests in associated companies.
Multitranches		Bonds involving a put option under which the seller can sell additional bonds (with an identical or shorter term) to the buyer. The buyer receives a premium which increases the yield on the security as opposed to a 'normal' security having the same term and yield.
Operating expenses		This item includes acquisition expenses, the handling of the policy portfolio and reinsurance expenses. After deduction of commissions and profit participations received under reinsurance business ceded, the remaining expenses are the net operating expenses.
Premiums		Total premiums written. All compulsory premiums in the financial year, from insurance policies in direct business and reinsurance business accepted.
Profit participation		In life and health insurance, the policyholders are entitled by law and by contract to an adequate share in the profits generated by the company. The amount is reset every year.
Provision for outstanding claims		This provision includes the obligations for payment of insurance claims which have already occurred on the reporting date, but which are not yet completely settled.
Provision for premium refunds and profit participation		The part of the profit to be distributed to the policyholders is appropriated to a provision for premium refunds and/or profit participation. The provision also includes deferred amounts.
Reinsurance		An insurance company would cede parts of its own risk to another insurance company.
Reinsurance premiums ceded		Share of the premiums paid to the reinsurer as a consideration for insuring certain risks.
Retention		The part of the risks assumed which the (re)insurer does not cede.
Retrocession		Retrocession is the ceding of reinsurance business accepted to a retrocessionaire. Professional reinsurance companies and also other insurance companies, within their internal reinsurance business, use retrocession as an instrument for spreading and controlling risks.
Return on equity		The return on equity (before tax) is the profit on ordinary activities in relation to the average total equity (without consideration of the contained net profit). It is used as a general indication of the company' s efficiency.
Revaluation reserves		Unrealised profits and losses resulting from the difference in the present market value and acquisition value and/or the amortised acquisition costs for fixed interest securities are allocated to this reserve, without affecting income, after the deduction of deferred taxes and provisions for deferred profit participation (in life insurance).
Risk		The possibility that negative factors could influence the future financial situation of the company. Furthermore, in the insurance business, risk is understood as the possibility that a claim will arise because a danger that has been ensured against occurs. The insured object or insured person is also frequently referred to as a risk.
Risk management		Ongoing, systematic and continuous identification, analysis, evaluation and management of potential risks that could endanger the assets, financial situation and profits of a company over the medium and long terms. Target: to ensure the continued existence of a company, secure the company goals against disruptive events, with the aid of appropriate measures, and improve the company value.
Securities available for sale		Available-for-sale securities are securities that are neither meant to be held until maturity nor have they been acquired for short-term trading purposes. Available for sale at any time, they are recognised at par value on the balance sheet date.
Securities held to maturity		Securities representing money claims which are held with the intention of keeping them to maturity. They are recognised at amortised cost.
Solvability		Level of own funds in an insurance company.
Stress test		Stress tests are a special form of scenario analysis with the goal of being able to quantify the potential loss of portfolios during extreme fluctuations in the market.
Subordinate debt		Debt which is honoured in the case of winding up or bankruptcy only after all the other debts have been settled.
Supplementary capital		Capital paid in which is agreed to remain at the insurance company's disposal for at least five years, with no cancellation possible; it accrues interest only to the extent that this is covered by the net profit for the year. It can only be repaid prior to liquidation after a pro rata deduction of the net losses incurred during the retention period; in the case of liquidation, it can only be redeemed after those payables have been settled or secured that do not constitute equity or participation capital.
Trading portfolio		Debt securities, shares and other securities (primarily derivatives and structured products) which are held mainly for short-term trading purposes. They are recognised at current market value.
Unearned premiums		That part of the premium income of the year which refers to periods of insurance that lie after the reporting date, i.e. which have not yet been earned on the reporting date. In the balance sheet, with the exception of life insurance, unearned premiums have to be shown as a separate line item under the actuarial provisions.
US GAAP		US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Value at risk		A method for measuring market risks in order to calculate the expected value of a loss that might occur in an unfavourable market situation, with a determined probability within a defined period of time.

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Business lines

Property and casualty insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

International markets

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE & EEM)

Western Europe (WEM)

Glossary