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.
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.
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.
Two years after the amendment to the Law of the sector, the insurance market covering risks for short periods at low costs has been consolidated.
Banks and supermarkets are some of the outlets that insurance companies use to market a product that has established itself as a commercial operation with a low risk for insurers.
"The results of the implementation of Law 12 of April 3, 2012 are apparent to Jorge Barreiro Troitiño, corporate vice president of Nacional de Seguros, who said that just after 2012 the number of customers the company has increased by 50%, reaching 80,000 customers. "
The venture is in micro-markets with products costing up to $30 per year and with compensation ranging from $10 thousand to $15 thousand.
According to Luis Della Togna, Superintendent of Insurance and Resinsurance in Panama (SSRP), "the idea is to launch low-cost products in order to generate a micro-culture among the middle and lower classes."
With the "interesting economic growth in the country more and more companies are setting up in Panama, some even specialize in the field of life and health for the three class levels," said the official.
Backed by the Central American and Caribbean Network of Microfinancers six companies have begun offering microinsurance to families and small businesses.
Ivan Gutierrez, executive director of the Central American and Caribbean Microfinancers Network (Redcamif), said that "from July this year six microfinance institutions will start to offer life and accident insurance, health insurance and temporary disability income."
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 coming into effect of the new Law on January 1st, 2011, would incite the creation of more insurance products geared towards individuals.
Insurance in Guatemala has now a 7% penetration, a very low percentage compared to other Latin American countries where it reaches 25 to 30%.
The article by Leonel Díaz Cedeño of Prensalibre.com, reported that the Superintendent of Banks, Victor Mancilla, stated: "The new legislation also brings competition, as it opens the door to foreign insurers to operate in the country. At the moment there is only a formal request from a British insurer, but there have been contacts from Mexico."