The reinsurrance giant Munich Re reported a loss this first quarter of 2011 at 948 million Euro ($1,346,720 USD). The reason for these losses is due to the extreme frequency in a short time period of natural disasters; mainly with Australia, New Zealand, and the earthquake in Japan. The company isn’t projecting a total loss on the year though. Their CFO Jrg Schneider has gone on record stating that this year will still be profitable. He said the company will be able to absorb the losses, and be able to exploit opportunities in positive market development.

The first few months for Munich Re had been a bit rocky, with pre tax losses totaling 1.38 billion. Higher than expected tax benefits lowered the forecasted net loss, which was also do to the 11% drop in equity, a stronger Euro, and weaker investments. On a positive note, the company’s gross premium written increased by 11.3%. Munchi Re wasn’t the only business hit hard by the world wide natural disasters. Other reinsurance businesses are also in the same boat. At this time last year the net operating amount totaled over 1.25 billion Euro, with this years numbers at only 605 million. The posted losses are do to high claim costs are at t 683 for the quarter, with a net combined ratio of 159.4%, and 109.2% on the premiums. 69 points alone coming from the disasters, totally 2.7 billion Euro. It’s estimated that Japan totaled 1.5 billion, with Australia and New Zealand having 1.1 billion.

Part of Munich Re’s predicted and obvious bounce back towards the end of the year, is going to be the result from 1.1 billion in renewals in the USA, Japan, Korea, and other global clients; Japan being responsible for 35% of them. These renewals after March 11th also saw an increase of up to 50% in recent disaster areas and globally, because of the severity of them. It’s predicted that this will also be the case for Australia, and New Zealand, with Munich Re continuing to take advantage of these opportunities.

Munich Health premiums were increased to 1.5 billion. That’s a 900% increase in the operating results, contributing 21 million to the group’s profit, with the gross premium income growth up by 22.7% This resulted from a new North American treaty, and the addition of the Windsor Health Group. This served to strengthen Munich Health’s position in the American market, and would have had an even larger impact on the premium volume if exchange rates hadn’t deviated.

For 2011’s financial year, the group estimates the gross premium volume for Munich Re to range circa 25 billion. With Munich Health to hit around 6 billion, and their insurance ranging between 19-20 billion. Munich Re will continue to proceed business by the projections that gross premiums will total around 47-59 billion. Confident that their long term objective of a 15% post-tax return on their RORAC, they expect to counteract these losses, and post profits by the end of the year.

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As with all other companies the insurance companies seem to be pulling out of the economical crisis well. It has been a long time since we’ve seen profit increases like the ones we’ve seen this first quarter of the year. Nationwide Mutual Insurance company is one such company, where profit is substantially noticeable.

Nationwide Mutual insurance finance executives are ecstatic with the current profit increase and hope it continues, but are reluctant to believe it will. This company saw a large 29-percent increase over that of last year during the first quarter of 2011. These profits are a result of the lower-than-expected payments made in 2010 claims and overall investment growth, the mean financial markets are stronger. There was also an operating profit — excluding the one time gains and losses — and this amount was also up by 10 percent giving a total profit in this area of $476 million.

Financial experts do not expect the second-quarter numbers to be as profitable. Strong storms are expected through the spring months and insurance claims are expected to rise. The high number of tornadoes that went through the southeastern states in the United States during the month of April will affect all insurance companies, creating losses of between $3.7 billion and $5.4 billion. At least this is the estimate according to a Boston catastrophe modeling company. Tornadoes and natural disasters tend to run rampant during the spring and summer months causing insurance claims to rise substantially.

Although Nationwide does not expect to be hit as badly as other insurance companies,because their business holdings extend through Virginia and North Carolina, but are not as strong in southern and western states. Meaning there will be fewer claims for this company by insurance holders. However it would be turning a blind eye to the situation to assume that none of these natural disaster occurrences will affect claims on insurance policies.

However, Nationwide is experiencing profits in other areas of operation as well. Operating profit for the company’s property and casualty division had a 17 percent increase over the profit in 2010. This was a total of $338 million. The financial services division also met with the profit increase racing into $162.9 billion in assets under the new management. This is up 12 percent compared to last year’s first quarter. The sale of variable annuities also rose in the first quarter $21.7 billion, which is more than 60 percent increase over the profit seen in the first quarter of 2010.

Retirement savings products and core insurance products also remains strong and continues to gain market shares. People are investing strongly which creates a stronger profit gain for the company and for its future investors. Nationwide hopes the better administration and financial products will continue to rise. Nationwide is currently owned by Allied insurance of Des Moines who bought the company in 1998. It is a stable and profitable insurance company, that currently employs 4000 people in central Iowa, and hopes to have continual growth for decades to come.

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When you own a vehicle, auto insurance is a necessary evil. If you are a resident of Wisconsin and currently shopping for insurance timing may be of the essence. Currently there is a bipartisan debate taking place over whether legislating insurance minimum coverage limits will actually make coverage more affordable.

Back in 2009 Governor Jim Doyle increased the minimum levels; this had not been done since way back in 1982. These laws double the coverage for liability claims for bodily injury to $50,000 per person and $100,000 for multiple claimants. On top of this the minimum for property damage was raised to $15,000

On both sides of the debate there are claims for the need for increased coverage to protect motorist and potential victims financially while at the same time ensuring that insurance is affordable for lower and middle income drivers.

The numbers are not yet in on how repealing this law will reduce insurance costs for the average driver. There is a serious consideration though about having only minimum coverage, it is sufficient to meet the requirements to drive. However what would happen to you financially if you hurt or killed someone or damaged their property to a significant degree?

You could be found liable for serious medical expenses and a wide array of other costs on top of legal fees that could easily surpass the state legislated minimums. This is something that few people consider until tragedy befalls them.

If you feel you cannot afford sufficient insurance for your needs then you may want to shop around. There are many sources for auto insurance and not all coverage is created equally. Do not look at the price of the premium alone as price is only what you pay however what you get is more important. Does your policy cover incidentals such as chipped windshield? Some basic plans have more bells and whistles than others and at the end of the day why pay more than necessary?

Now back to the debate over repealing the law for state mandated minimums, this may reduce the total premium you pay just be aware that if the coverage is reduced your liability increases. Would you pay a few dollars more to protect yourself from a few hundred thousands of debt applied to you through a liability claim in which you were found to be at fault?

This is not all gloom and doom; there is a bright side that if you are a mature and safe driver you will be enjoying some of the lowest premiums in the nation. The years of your responsible driving is yielding great dividends in reduced risk and fees to enjoy the freedom of driving. Just double check the insurance company you are buying coverage from to make sure that their reputation is one that you feel comfortable with. Getting a bargain is only as good as the business offering it. By doing this you will have one less worry in your life and smooth sailing ahead.

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