In Nicaragua during 2020, a year marked by the pandemic generated by the covid-19 outbreak, the outlays for life insurance claims increased and for automobiles decreased.
Figures from the Superintendence of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Siboif), detail that between January and November 2019 and the same period in 2020, the amount disbursed by insurance companies for life insurance coverage increased by 78%, from $10.7 million to $19 million.
Between July and October 2020, the number of people in Guatemala exploring options for life insurance online increased by 3%, and the number of Panamanian consumers seeking auto insurance increased by 39%.
CentralAmericaData's interactive platform, Consumer Insights, monitors in real time changes in consumer habits in all markets in the region and in other Latin American countries, with fundamental information to understand their behavior, new trends and anticipate eventual changes in their purchase patterns.
From January to June 2020 in Nicaragua, the amount paid by insurers for life insurance increased by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, a rise that could be explained by the health crisis generated by the spread of covid-19.
Although the Nicaraguan government had only 116 deaths from covid-19 as of July 28, the numbers of insurance companies competing in the local market reflect another reality.
Last year in Nicaragua, insurance sales totaled $199 million, 4% less than in 2018, a drop that can be explained in part by the drop in life, health and accident policies.
Data from the Superintendence of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Siboif) detail that between 2018 and 2019 premium sales fell by $9 million, from $208 million to $199 million.
Customers who are guided by immediacy and technology, who are also more focused on travel than buying health or life insurance, force insurers to reinvent their processes to continue increasing their sales.
Because the population group known as the "millennials," which is made up of customers who like to keep up with the buying process and are not willing to wait, companies must transform to keep up with their sales pace.
Explained by the behavior of the Costa Rican market, in 2017 Central American insurers received $5.02 billion in premiums, 7% more than in 2016.
According to a report drawn up by Revista Desempeño Asegurador, in 2017 "... insurance sales in the region expressed an absolute increase of US $334.7 million, an amount that represented a rise of 7.1% compared to sales in 2016."
Projections are that this year growth of the Central American insurance sector will be driven by activities in the markets of Costa Rica and Guatemala.
From the report "Prospects 2018: Insurance Sector in Central America" by Fitch Ratings:
Stable Rating Perspective:The rating outlook for the Central Americaninsurancesectoris stable for 2018, given that most of the rated companies maintain a stable outlook on an individual basis.Fitch Ratings believes that the sector shows stable fundamentals, as a result of good profitability levels and high liquidity and capitalization indicators in all countries, which it expects to continue to be reflected in solid balance sheets in companies.
Growth in sales of vehicles and homes in the country has generated an opportunity for the insurance business, in a market where penetration is only 3%.
Greater purchasing power and the consequent increase in purchases of homes, cars and other goods is generating interesting opportunities for other complementary businesses.
Life, health, and accident policies accounted for most of the 12% growth recorded in premiums during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2016.
Total premiums recorded in the first quarter of the year, according to figures provided by Victor Urcuyo, head of the Superintendency of Banks and Other Financial Institutions, amounted to $57 million, almost 13% more than in the same period last year.
According to Fitch Ratings growth in the insurance sector in Central America in 2017 will be driven by the markets of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
From the report "Outlook 2017: Insurance in Central America" by Fitch Ratings:
Rating Outlook Stable:Fitch Ratings´outlook for insurance ratings in Central America is stable. The agency believes that there is a limited probability of rating adjustments in the next 12 to 18 months, which could lead to significant changes in the risk profile or the weighted support in some cases.
Panama stands out as the country with the highest penetration rate in the region, and at the other end is Honduras, with the lowest rate, and below the average in Latin America.
From a report by MAPFRE: "Trends of growth in insurance markets in Latin America":
Guatemala
The insurance market penetration rate in Guatemala stood at 1.23% in 2015, showing a stable trend over the analyzed period,graduallymoving awayfrom the average for the region. The deepening index, meanwhile, stood at 19.7%, with a tendency toward gradual improvement, but still below the average for the Latin American markets.
The increase in the use of medical policies and a greater culture of prevention explains the 15% increase in the demand for private hospitals in the region expected for this year.
Despite the economic difficulties faced by each country in the region, demand in this sector has not diminished, as 60% of service users have private medical insurance. This underlies "...
Auto policies are the fastest growing category, with an increase of 14% so far this year compared to 2013.
Lack of a culture of prevention is preventing the emerging Nicaraguan insurance market from achieving high growth rates in most policies. Car policies are the most sought after, but those for life, property and health are growing slowly.
"... In 2013, the insurance industry paid $40 million in personal insurance, which included life insurance, accident and health insurance and pension income; also in property insurance including car insurance, fire and other policies, $105.2 million was paid."
Between December 2012 and December 2013 revenue from premiums went from $138 million to $156 million.
The pace of growth in the insurance sector in Nicaragua increased during the first quarter of 2014, registering premiums of $43 million, an increase of 21% compared to the same period in 2013.
Laprensa.com.ni reports that "... of the total premiums sold during 2013, the property insurance segment accounted for 71% of total sales, receiving $111.15 million, reflecting a growth of 10 5% compared to the $100.56 million sold in 2012. "
Products in the category of life, accident and health lead the 6% increase in premiums seen in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2013.
Total premiums paid in the first quarter amounted to $42 million, of which 37.4% were for first party car insurance, 21.0 % for fire insurance and associated lines, 19.09 % for life insurance (individual and collective) and the remaining 6.01 % for health insurance.