In­sur­ers de­fy eco­nom­ic un­cer­tain­ties in 2022

Swiss private insurers have fared relatively well in a year marred by economic uncertainty. Although insurers were not spared the effects of inflation and capital market turbulence, they maintained a strong performance with solid solvency and robust premium volumes, which increased slightly in 2022. ‘Once again the private insurance sector has demonstrated stability in a difficult environment,’ said Rolf Dörig, president of the Swiss Insurance Association SIA, speaking at the annual media conference in Zurich. He stressed that this is not least thanks to the framework conditions in Switzerland, which have to be continually safeguarded. ‘This is the only way that insurers can continue to strengthen the resilience of the Swiss economy and its population, and thus perform its economic responsibility,’ he added, alluding to the important reform of the occupational pension system. From the perspective of the SIA, all elements for a good solution are available. ‘It's now up to parliament to finish the work started as soon as possible,’ stressed Dörig.

Growth in all branches of non-life business

Non-life business continued it trajectory of the past few years and recorded 3 per cent growth on the previous year, according to the SIA’s projections. ‘This saw it exceed a long-standing growth average. It's also a sign of the robust demand of the previous year,’ comments Urs Arbter, the association's director. This was particularly marked in the fire, natural hazard and property damage insurance segment, which grew by 8.3 per cent, attributable primarily to higher insured values. In motor vehicle insurance, premium volumes remained largely constant, although the sector insured a higher priced and larger vehicle portfolio. However, rising premiums are expected in the near term, reflecting long-term cost increases.

Life business more or less stable, OPA reform remains urgent

After a sharp decline in premium volumes in some areas of life insurance business from 2020, growth in unit-linked insurance products in the individual life segment in 2022 ensured an overall premium volume almost at the previous year's level. However, group business continues to decline. The good news for life insurers is the normalisation of interest rates, which promises long-term earnings prospects in the important bond business. ‘However, higher guarantees cannot be issued until the increase in interest rates is proven sustainable,’ cautions Ruedi Kubat, SIA board member and CEO of Allianz Suisse. He stresses that even if the solvency of life insurers proves that they have met these challenges with the right strategies, a reform of the second pillar remains inevitable and urgent.

New study confirms major economic significance of reinsurers

The BAK Economics-led study 'Volkswirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Rückversicherung in der Schweiz’ was also presented at the annual media conference. The study confirms that globally active reinsurers are one of the most productive sectors of the Swiss economy. With a value added of CHF 3.7 million per full-time position, they exceed the production level of the overall economy many times over. Reinsurers have recorded sharp growth since the turn of the millennium, boosting their significance within the insurance sector considerably. With claims payments of almost CHF 22 billion in 2021, Swiss-based reinsurers contribute significantly to the stability and thus the resilience of the global economy. With 45 reinsurers, most of which are based in the Zurich/Zug region, Switzerland is the world's third-largest reinsurance location. ‘Our country benefits from reinsur-ers in various respects, whether as risk carriers, capital providers, taxpayers or in the form of expertise and highly specialised personnel,’ says Nina Arquint, president of the SIA's Reinsurance Committee and Chief Risk Officer of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. This makes it all the more important that Switzerland remains an attractive location. For internationally active reinsurers, access to open reinsurance markets worldwide and inter-nationally compatible regulation and oversight adapted to the business model are particularly important in their choice of location.

No projections are available for reinsurance business in 2022. The SIA expects the growth trend to continue with a slight increase in premium volume.

Note to editors

The Swiss Insurance Association (SIA) represents the interests of the private insurance industry at national and international level. The association has approximately 70 members, which include many specialist, national-level property, life and supplementary health insurers, and global primary insurers and reinsurers. Private insurers employ about 50,000 people in Switzerland. The sector is among the most productive and highest value-adding of the economy. With their expertise in risk coverage and hazard prevention, private insurers assume economic responsibility: they make a significant contribution to the stability of Switzerland's economic system and prosperity. With that in mind, the SIA is committed to the sustainable development of the sector and its locations.

Media contact
Swiss Insurance Association SIA
Lisa Schaller, media spokesperson
Phone: +41 44 208 28 56
Email: lisa [dot] schallersvv [dot] ch
Head office phone: +41 44 208 28 28