Technical items

Insurance and reinsurance contracts along with investment contracts with a discretionary participation feature fall within the scope of IFRS 4 (Insurance Contracts). In accordance with IAS 8, the provisions of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) in the version applicable on 1 January 2005 were applied to all cases for which IFRS 4 contains no specific regulations on recognition and measurement. For accounting and measurement of the insurance-specific items of life insurance with profit participation, FAS 120 was observed; FAS 60 was applied for specific items in health, property and casualty insurance and FAS 113 for reinsurance. Unit-linked life insurance, where the policyholder bears the entire investment risk, was accounted for in accordance with FAS 97.

Based on the regulations, technical items must be covered by suitable assets (cover funds). As is standard in the insurance industry, amounts dedicated to the cover funds are subject to a limitation as regards availability in the Group.

Insurance and investment contracts

Insurance contracts are contracts through which a significant insurance risk is assumed. Investment contracts are contracts that do not transfer a significant insurance risk and that do not include a discretionary profit participation feature. They fall under the scope of IAS 39 (Financial Instruments).

Reinsurance contracts

Ceded reinsurance is stated in a separate item under assets. The profit and loss items (premiums and payments) are deducted openly from the corresponding items in the gross account, while commission income is reported separately as its own item. Reinsurance acquired (indirect business) is recognised as an insurance contract.