Reinsurer premiums up in first nine months of 2018

A group of 18 U.S. property/casualty reinsurers surveyed by the Reinsurance Association of America wrote $45.49 billion in net premiums during the nine-months ended Sept. 30, up 32.9% from $34.22 billion during the first nine months of 2017, the association reported Monday.

The combined ratio for the group improved to 98.2% from 111.9% for the same period in 2017, RAA data showed.

Policyholders’ surplus was $180.2 billion, up 5.7% from $170.5 billion in the prior quarter, the association said in a statement released with the data.

The largest net underwriting gain was posted by National Indemnity Co. at $1.11 billion, followed by Odyssey Reinsurance Group at $90.9 million, the data showed.

Everest Reinsurance Co. had the largest net underwriting loss at $491.9 million, followed by Munich Reinsurance America Inc. at $433.1 million.

Twelve of the 18 reinsurers surveyed posted a net underwriting loss, according to the data.