Net Premiums Written
Candlefocus EditorNet premiums written represent the total value of all insurance policies sold minus a consideration for expected losses in the form of ceded premiums to the reinsurers. Gross premiums written are the total value of insurance policies sold before accounting for any reinsurance. Insurers use reinsurance arrangements to limit their risk exposure and better manage risks. When an insurance company transfers a portion of its underwriting risk to a reinsurer, the insurance company must “cede” or pay a portion of the premiums written to the reinsurer. If a policy is canceled, or if a policy claims payout more than anticipated, then the reinsurance partner may be required to reimburse the insurance company for the ceded premium. The net premiums written for the insurance company is calculated by subtracting the ceded premium from the total premium written.
The net premiums written reflects the underwriting dynamics at work in the insurance marketplace. Premium ceded to reinsurance partners is an important indicator of risk management effectiveness, as insurers strive to optimize their risk exposure. In a competitive insurance market, insurers have to pay close attention to the net premiums written, as it can be a key indicator of the health and profit of the business. Net premiums written can help insurance companies gauge how much new business they have attracted and how much they have written off in losses related to claims.
From a customer perspective, net premiums written give a good indication of the insurer's willingness to take on additional risk. If the net premiums written are high or increasing, it could be due to the insurer offering discounts or incentives to attract new business. On the other hand, if the net premiums written are declining, it could mean that the insurer is focusing on risk management and reducing its exposure to potentially costly claims.
In summary, net premiums written are a key metric for insurance companies. It helps them to assess the amount of business they are doing and measure their risk exposure. For customers, net premiums written serve as an indicator of an insurer’s willingness to take on additional risk. Net premiums written are instrumental in providing a comprehensive analysis of the profitability and health of an insurance business.