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.
The National Commission of Banks and Insurance Companies is tendering the collective life and hospital medical insurance policy for the staff of the institution for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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.
Atlántida Vida insurance company started operations in the local market and will be focused on the life and health sector.
The new participant, which will start with a capitalization of $6.2 million and is projected to reach $10 million in premium income, belongs to the Honduran business group Inversiones Atlántida.
The Central Bank tenders the group life insurance policy and hospital medical expenses for a group of employees of the institution for a two-year term.
Total insurance premium revenues in Costa Rica totaled $1.261 million in 2018, 3% more than in 2017.
According to figures from the General Superintendence of Insurance (Sugese), between 2017 and 2018 the per capita spending of Costa Ricans on insurance increased slightly by 1.8%, from $248 to $252.
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.
Because of vehicle and health insurance performance, premiums paid in Panama last year totaled $1.562 million, 6% more than in 2017.
Preliminary figures from the Superintendence of Insurance and Reinsurance detail that last year income from vehicle insurance totaled $321 million and increased 9% with respect to 2017.
In the first ten months of this year, premiums of $1.245 million were subscribed in the country, exceeding in 5% the value reported in the same period of 2017.
The most recent data from the Superintendence of Insurance and Reinsurance detail that between the first ten months of 2017 and the same period of 2018, the value of premiums subscribed went from $1,188 million to $1,245 million.
In the first seven months of this year in Panama, $864 million worth of premiums were written, an amount that exceeds by 3% the value reported in the same period in 2017.
According to figures from the Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance, between the first seven months of 2017 and the same period in 2018, the value of subscribed premiums went from $839 million to $864 million.
Growth in Personal Accident and Individual Life policies accounted for most of the 12% growth recorded during the fifth month of the year in the Dominican Republic.
In May, compared to 2017, the lines that reported the highest growth were: Bonds, 132%; Personal Accident, 41%; and Individual Life, 34%, reported the Superintendency of Insurance.
In Panama during the first four months of the year $491 million was written in premiums, which is 3% more than the $375 million reported in the same period in 2017.