In Costa Rica, only the state insurer and Oceánica de Seguros presented proposals for the tender of the Social Security Fund's all-risk insurance service, estimated at more than $2 billion.
Taking part in the process to award a contract for a policy to protect all of the buildings, machinery, equipment, furniture, merchandise and even the collection of works of art and books and magazines owned by the Social Security department, were the National Insurance Institute (Instituto Nacional de Seguros or INS) and Oceánica de Seguros.
Income from insurance premiums grew by 16% compared to the same month in 2015, reaching $1.021 billion, in a market with great growth potential.
From the Monthly Bulletin by the Superintendent of Insurance:
Compulsory insurance tending become more stable.The SOA, as explained in previous bulletins, showed a sharp increase in December 2015 to January 2016 (<236 100 000 000) due to a change in the accounting records, but in the rest of the year its growth every month has been close to the average, which maintained very high annual growth, but is tending to become more moderate.
Income from voluntary insurance premiums grew by 18% in relation to June 2015, reaching $490 million.
From a monthly report by the Superintendent of Insurance:
The evolution of compulsory insurance in respect to previous months is: 32% growth that corresponds to an increase of ¢38.6 billion colones in SOA, concentrated in January of this period as a result of a change in the accounting methodology, specifically, for the SOA period, premiums that were previously registered in December of each year were recorded in January 2016 of this year.RT premiums decreased by ¢15.6 billion colones.
The Superintendency of Insurance in Costa Rica is planning to start the process of opening up the market for compulsory automobile insurance in the first quarter.
In order to liberalize the market for compulsory automobile insurance, there first needs to be a review and approval of a decree which will focus on the regulation of the sale of insurance from the National Insurance Institute (INS) to private companies.
Fitch Ratings expects moderate growth in premiums in Costa Rica, increased interest in personal insurance in Guatemala, and stable performance in Nicaragua and Honduras.
From the report "Outlook 2015: Central American Insurance Sector":
Between January and September revenue from sales of these policies increased by 74% compared to the same period in 2013, with the sale of group insurance policies to companies being the factor driving the growth.
According to data from the Superintendent of Insurance, in January-September, the sector as a whole has accumulated $116 million in premiums for such policies.
US insurer BlueCross BlueShield, has announced the opening of its operations in the country, which will be part of the Puerto Rican Triple-S Group.
From a statement issued by BlueCross BlueShield Costa Rica:
Insurer arrives in the country with plans for complementary health
• Member of the BlueCross BlueShield Association (BCBSA), an organization of more than 37 healthcare companies in the United States and other countries and which serves, through them, over 100 million policyholders.
Distance marketing of financial products is a business alternative with great potential in Costa Rica.
Elfinancierocr.com reports that "distance marketing of financial products and insurance in particular, is an alternative for both for business insurers as well as intermediaries. However, when insurance mediation activity is regulated by the risk involved, it deserves special attention by the Superintendent of Insurance. "
A report by SUGESE contains information on Basic Indicators, Market Structure and Participants and Products.
December 2012 Bulletin from the Superintendent of Insurance (SUGESE):
Basic Indicators
The total amount of direct premiums was ¢466.2 billion in 2012, with 69% of that amount corresponding to voluntary insurance. The retention of these total direct premiums compared to 2011 remained at 81% and the total retained earned premiums (allocated ) increased from 96% in 2011 to 91% in 2012.
In Costa Rica, 4 years after the opening up of the sector, the 10 private insurance companies have a 9.8% market share.
The undisputed leader remains the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), with a 90.2% market share and among the private companies the strongest are Mapfre and Assa with a 9.6% share between them.
According to the Superintendent of Insurance, the largest segment of the market is the general insurance category (51%), followed by sickness insurance (26%) and personal life policies (26%).
The Central Bank of Costa Rica is putting to public consultation the Regulation for Defence and Consumer Protection Insurance.
The regulation will be under consultation until 27 December.
Nacion.com reports that "According to this regulation, all natural or legal persons who are properly identified can make complaints or appeals with insurance firms provided these requests relate to their interests or legally recognized rights."
Four years after the de-monopolization of the market, the National Institute of Insurance holds 91.5% of insurance premiums and 12 private insurance companies have won the remaining 8.5%.
An analysis of the topic made by Juan Pablo Arias in his article in Nacion.com, shows that the main benefit of the new competitive environment is growth of the sector in terms of policies issued, which increased by 24% from the date of de-monopolization, with growth attributed to the lowered rates.
The superintendent of insurance, Javier Cascante, said the company, which is the eleventh to join the insurance market after its opening, will have a joint operating license, for personal and general policies.
A report by Fitch notes the momentum in the insurance sector in Central America and its growth potential.
From the report by Fitch Central America is entitled "Performance of Insurance Industry Central America: Well Positioned for Growth ":
The insurance industry in Central America managed to increase premium production by 12% compared to 2010, where Panama, Guatemala and Honduras recorded an above-average growth. The countries with the highest contribution in the production of $3.44 billion dollars that the industry reached the end of 2011, are Panama and Costa Rica, a positive sign that the region is recovering from the economic crisis.
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