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Management’s Discussion (Continued)<br />
Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)<br />
GEICO (Continued)<br />
underwriting costs that are capitalized and expensed as premiums are earned over the policy period. The new accounting<br />
standard, which we adopted on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2012, accelerates the timing of when certain underwriting<br />
costs are recognized in earnings. We estimate that GEICO’s underwriting expenses in 2012 would have been about $410 million<br />
less had we computed DPAC under the prior accounting standard. The effect of transitioning to this new accounting standard<br />
was completed in 2012. Excluding the effects of the accounting change in 2012, the ratio of underwriting expenses to premiums<br />
earned (the “expense ratio”) in 2013 declined by approximately 0.4 percentage points from 2012.<br />
Premiums earned in 2012 were approximately $16.7 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion (9.0%) over 2011. The growth in<br />
premiums earned for voluntary auto was 9.0% as a result of a 6.5% increase in policies-in-force and an increase in average<br />
premium per policy as compared to 2011. Voluntary auto new business sales in 2012 increased slightly compared with 2011.<br />
Voluntary auto policies-in-force at December 31, 2012 were approximately 704,000 greater than at December 31, 2011.<br />
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in 2012 were $12.7 billion, an increase of $687 million (5.7%) over 2011.<br />
The loss ratio was 75.9% in 2012 and 78.2% in 2011. Losses and loss adjustment expenses in 2012 included $490 million<br />
related to Hurricane Sandy. With the exception of Hurricane Sandy, GEICO’s catastrophe losses tend to occur regularly and are<br />
normally not individually significant in amount.<br />
Despite the losses from Hurricane Sandy, our loss ratio declined in 2012 as compared to 2011. Claims frequencies for<br />
property damage and collision coverages were down about one percent, comprehensive coverage frequencies were down about<br />
ten percent, excluding Hurricane Sandy, and frequencies for bodily injury coverages were relatively unchanged. Physical<br />
damage severities increased in the two to four percent range and bodily injury severities increased in the one to three percent<br />
range from 2011.<br />
Underwriting expenses incurred in 2012 increased $586 million (21.1%) compared with 2011. The increase was primarily<br />
the result of the change in U.S. GAAP concerning DPAC discussed previously. We estimate that GEICO’s underwriting<br />
expenses in 2012 would have been about $410 million less had we computed DPAC under the prior accounting standard. Based<br />
on that estimate, GEICO’s expense ratio in 2012 would have been less than in 2011.<br />
General Re<br />
Through General Re, we conduct a reinsurance business offering property and casualty and life and health coverages to<br />
clients worldwide. We write property and casualty reinsurance in North America on a direct basis through General Reinsurance<br />
Corporation and internationally through Germany-based General Reinsurance AG and other wholly-owned affiliates. Property<br />
and casualty reinsurance is also written in broker markets through Faraday in London. Life and health reinsurance is written in<br />
North America through General Re Life Corporation and internationally through General Reinsurance AG. General Re strives to<br />
generate underwriting profits in essentially all of its product lines. Our management does not evaluate underwriting performance<br />
based upon market share and our underwriters are instructed to reject inadequately priced risks. General Re’s underwriting<br />
results are summarized in the following table. Amounts are in millions.<br />
Premiums written Premiums earned Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)<br />
2013 2012 2011 2013 2012 2011 2013 2012 2011<br />
Property/casualty ................ $2,972 $2,982 $2,910 $3,007 $2,904 $2,941 $148 $399 $ 7<br />
Life/health ...................... 2,991 3,002 2,909 2,977 2,966 2,875 135 (44) 137<br />
$5,963 $5,984 $5,819 $5,984 $5,870 $5,816 $283 $355 $144<br />
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