As a result of the damage and losses caused by covid-19 and tropical storms Iota and Eta, insurers in Guatemala have received compensation claims of about $65 million.
According to statistics from the Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions (Agis), due to the Eta storm, up to November 30th, 1.005 claims were reported for floods or slopes, which amounted to about $32 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.
Although the covid-19 outbreak in Guatemala has increased interest in medical and life insurance, it is expected that because of the economic crisis, group insurance sales will be affected.
Figures revealed by directors of the Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions (AGIS), detail that so far the months with the highest incidence of positive cases have been June and July.
The policy of collective life insurance and medical expenses for deputies, directors and deputy directors of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala is tendered for a 24-month term.
Guatemala Government Purchase 10457577:
"The coverage of the Collective Life and Medical Expenses Insurance policy shall be for the use of the Honorable Representatives, Deputies, Directors and Sub-Directors of the Congress of the Republic, which shall be valid for two (2) years.
Between 2017 and 2018, the number of people insured against accidents and diseases grew 17%, from 1.6 million to 1.9 million.
According to figures from the Quarterly Bulletin of Financial Inclusion Indicators, December 2018, compiled by the Superintendence of Banks, since 2016 there has been a sustained increase in the number of insured persons.
During 2018, Guatemala's insurance sector increased 3% year-on-year, well below the 8% growth rate reported between 2016 and 2017.
According to figures presented by the Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions (AGIS), between 2017 and 2018 the total of premiums subscribed in the country went from $881 million to $907 million.
According to the association of insurers, the increase in the sector's income is partly because of the dynamism registered in the life and medical i
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.
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 insurance industry had a turnover of $795 million in premiums, thanks to segments such as health, damages, and vehicles, accounting for 1.2% of Guatemala's GDP last year.
According to the Guatemalan Association of the Insurance Industry (Agis), growth in areas such as health and hospitalization (13.3%), damages (6.9%) and automotive (6.8%) vehicles favored a general growth in premiums in 2015 of 6.3% compared to the amount accumulated in 2014, with total premium income being in the order of Q6.157 million.
The segment of medical expenses policies registered the largest increase, up 26% over the previous year.
The Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions (AGIS) is looking to give greater impetus to reinsurance this year, as currently only one third of the total premiums are ceded to reinsurers.
Salvador Leiva, president of the AGIS told Elperiodico.com.gt that "...
In August 2014 the field of health and personal accident was the category which recorded the biggest loss, equivalent to $7 million.
A monthly report by the Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions shows that the categories of personal health and auto accident and were two which experienced the greatest losses in the month of August.
"For the sector's improvement, it will be key to adjust fees for products with high accident rates, as well as more careful subscription"
By the end of June 2009, net premiums had grown at an inflation adjusted rate of 9.8%, although lower growth should be expected for the end of the year, due to worse economic performance. Growth in individual insurance was remarkable (14% average), specially in collective life and accident and health, while general damage insurance saw a 7% increase.