Hiscox enjoys profit increase in tough market

Specialist insurer’s retail branch is the biggest contributor to its profit for the period

Hiscox enjoys profit increase in tough market

Insurance News

By Lyle Adriano

Hiscox has unveiled results for its first-half interim period (for the six months ending June 30, 2017), showing that despite “on-going headwinds,” the Lloyd’s underwriter managed to turn in a modest profit.

The specialist insurance provider reported a gross written premium of £1,459.6 million (approximately C$2,389.6 million) for the first half of 2017 ending June 30 – £171.1 million (about C$279.9 million) more than for the same period last year. In addition, the company’s net premiums earned for the first half of 2017 came in at £936.6 million (about C$1,533 million), compared to last year’s £767.5 million (approximately C$1,255 million).

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According to a release, Hiscox’s profits before tax increased year-over-year by 12.5%, excluding the impact of foreign exchange. The underwriter credited its retail business as the main driver of its profit for H1 2017. Hiscox’s USA operations have also been recognized as a “stand-out performer,” generating 31.1% premium growth (in USD).

“We are managing the cycle and driving retail growth, as our long-held strategy of balancing the portfolio between volatile big-ticket business and steady retail business continues to deliver,” commented Hiscox CEO Bronek Masojada. “Despite tough market conditions we are finding opportunities.”


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Hiscox sees premiums grow despite rate pressure


 

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