In August 2015 a growth rate of 8% in claims and 4% in the value of premiums was recorded.
Although growth in claims has moderated compared to previous months, the Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance believes that the gap between the growth of premiums and claims is still wide and capital required of insurance companies and premium costs need to be raised.
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.
Insurers say the highly competitive market is generating large variations in the prices of premiums, particularly in auto policies.
Growth in claims, primarily in motor insurance, which increased 14% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2013, is generating increases in prices of premiums.
Claims are growing at a faster rate than the premiums paid by customers, which rose by 9.94%, after going from $117,696,000 in the first seven months of 2013 to $129,395,000 between January and July this year. According to Berguido, these figures indicate that, contrary to what was expected, there are not yet "significant price increases" in premiums and they are not widespread.
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.
Industry participants predict a year-end in the red because of a sharp increase in claims for losses.
Prensa.com reports: "Although total premiums up to October 2013 was $976 million, with growth in the sector of 9.6% compared to the same period last year, the directors of the Panamanian Association of Insurers (Apadea) predict that at the end of the year there will be a loss. "
During the first half of 2012, the insurance sector in Latin America had a premium volume of $77,085 million, maintaining growth rates of two digits.
According to César Quevedo, deputy director of the Institute of Science at Seguro de Fundación Mapfre, the insurance industry is "key" to this global market.
On presenting the report, "The Latin American insurance market," the official noted that this "is a key region for the present and future in global 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.
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."
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.
A low penetration level of insurance as related to GDP allows for sustainable growth of insurance businesses.
In the past five years, Panama has seen an explosion of commercial development and an influx of insurance companies. The country is about to remake its insurance legislation, which is also aimed at helping the country become a regional hub for insurance and reinsurance, according to Carlos Abrahams, a director at Global Intermediaries.