U.S. reinsurers write $25.3 billion in net premiums in 2005

A group of 26 U. S. property-casualty reinsurers wrote $25.3 billion of net premiums during the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2005, according to a survey of reinsurers’ statutory underwriting results conducted by the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA). Among the companies surveyed, the RAA survey shows the leading companies in terms of 2005 net premiums written were: National Indemnity Company: $3.15 billion Transatlantic/Putnam Reinsurance Company: $3.1 billion GE Insurance Solutions: $2.42 billion Everest Reinsurance Company: $2.29 billion Odyssey Reinsurance: $2.1 billion Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation: $2.03 billion General Re Group: $1.99 billion Berkley Insurance Company: $1.73 billion American Re-Insurance Company: $1.25 billionOverall, the reinsurers’ combined ratio was 129.4%, compared with the combined ratio of 106.2% reported by a similar group of reinsurers for the twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2004. The ratio is attributable to a 102.9% loss ratio and a 26.5% expense ratio, the RAA reports. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., RAA is a non-profit trade association of domestic property and casualty reinsurers and reinsurance intermediaries. RAA underwriting members write nearly two-thirds of the gross reinsurance coverage provided by U.S. reinsurance companies and affiliates.