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.
In 2017 in Panama, premiums totaled $1.471 billion, 5% more than in 2016, but the loss ratio in fires and floods increased almost four times.
According to a report by the Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance of Panama (SSRP), in 2017 market growth was accompanied by an increase in claims, as insurance companies paid out $119 million for the fire and flood coverage policies, a figure that exceeds the $26 million disbursed in 2016 by 365%.
The Guatemalan insurance association reports that at the end of the year premiums totaled $926 million, 8% more than in 2016.
According to a report presented by the Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions, the growth of 7.7% was below the 9% that had been foreseen for 2017.It should be noted that medical insurance exceeded expectations, growing above 10%.
The insurers' association has reported a 9% increase in premiums generated in September this year.
Enrique Murillo, executive director of the Guatemalan Association of Insurance Institutions (AGIS), told Elperiodico.com.gt that"... the total premiums generated in September 2017 is $708 million, while up to the same month last year the figure was $640 million."
The Executive Committee of the Lempa River Hydroelectric Station is putting out to tender all risks insurance to cover machinery breakdown and consequential loss, for a term of one year.
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.
Colombia's Grupo Sura has concluded the purchase of 100% of Seguros Banistmo and has started procedures in Panama to merge both companies.
From a statement issued by Grupo Sura:
In compliance with the duties of disclosure of relevant information, Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana SA informs that today its subsidiary Suramericana SA has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Seguros Banistmo, SA, an insurance company organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Panama, which belonged to Banistmo SA, a subsidiary of Bancolombia SA
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.
Experts on the prevention of money laundering will be meeting in Panama City on October 19th, 2014 to discuss the impact of this practice in the insurance sector.
Organized by the Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance the Forum will bring together enforcement officers from insurance companies registered in the country.
Private insurers are beginning to outperform the state insurance company and have so far captured a 40% market share.
The ranking of the premiums made by the Superintendency of Banks and Other Financial Institutions (Siboif) reveals that in the case of Seguros América S.A.,in the first quarter of 2013, they led the market with 29.3% of the sector. The company following them is Instituto Nicaragüense de Seguros y Reaseguros (Iniser) with 26.4%, ASSA Compañía de Seguros SA with 18.9%, Seguros Lafise with 17,5% and Mapfre Nicaragua with 7,8%.
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