The premiums in the Western European markets recorded a particularly high increase in the past financial year due to the strong life insurance business in Italy. The premium volume written rose in 2010 by 32.6% to € 1.101 million (2009: € 830 million). The recurring premium business increased by 4.8% to € 676 million (2009: € 645 million). The single premium business more than doubled, growing 129.6% to € 425 million (2009: € 185 million). In 2010, the WEM region contributed 17.7% (2009: 14.5%) to the Group premiums.
