The Judicial Power in Honduras is putting out to tender collective life insurance and medical hospital policies for the institution's officials and employees at the national level.
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.
The Honduran National Port Company (Empresa Portuaria Nacional de Honduras) is putting out to tender protection insurance for its personnel and the assets belonging to the institution.
The Fire Department of Panama is putting out to tender collective life and international health insurance policies for its operative personnel, for a period of 24 months.
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.
According to Fitch Ratings, pension insurance has become a problem in terms of technical profitability for the companies that sell them.
From a statement issued by Fitch Ratings:
Fitch Ratings - San Salvador - (April 28, 2016):
Pension insurance has become a challenge in terms of technical profitability for sellers, says Fitch Ratings. One of the benefits of the current pension system is protection against disability and pension insurance, contracted by the Pension Fund Administrators (AFP) for its members. This coverage is provided by insurers and covers the insured against accidents or diseases that would make it impossible for them to work. In addition it also covers beneficiaries when the insured person dies, providing the required additional capital to finance pensions.
In the first quarter of the year, total premiums in the country totaled $338 million, 5% more than in the same period last year, driven by automobile insurance.
Vehicle insurance is the most in demand, reporting $63 million in premiums from January to March 2015, representing an increase of 11.8% compared to the same period last year. The second sector reporting the most growth is health, with premiums of $57.3 million, ie an increase of 6% and finally the premiums for group life reported $41 million, according to the Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance in Panama.
Premiums for personal policies led growth in 2014 compared to the previous year, followed by general and mandatory policies.
From a statement issued by the Superintendent of Insurance in Costa Rica (SUG):
Voluntary insurance represent 69% of total premium revenue, showing an increasing trend across the board. Total premium income, including compulsory policies, was $1.1674 billion.
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.