Insurance Industry Analysis March 2013

Analysis of major South African insurers’
results for the year ended 31 December 2012
March 2013
Fortune
favours
the brave
Insurance
industry
analysis
www.pwc.co.za/insurance
About this publication
We are pleased to present the second edition of PwC’s analysis of major insurers’ results. This
publication comments on the financial results of South Africa’s major insurers for the year
ended 31 December 2012. The results are a positive reflection of the health of the industry in
a tough global operating environment.
The results of the following insurance groups were considered in this publication, with a
focus on their South African insurance operations:
Long-term insurers
• Discovery Holdings Ltd (Discovery)
• Liberty Holdings Ltd (Liberty)
• MMI Holdings Ltd (MMI)
• Old Mutual plc (Old Mutual)
• Sanlam Ltd (Sanlam)
Short-term insurers
• Absa Insurance Company Ltd (Absa)
• Mutual & Federal Ltd (Mutual & Federal)
• Outsurance Holdings Ltd (Outsurance)
• Santam Ltd (Santam)
• Zurich Insurance Company South Africa Ltd (Zurich)
Due to differences in reporting periods, availability of information and changes in, for
example, accounting policies, comparable information is not always available for all periods.
We have highlighted areas where there are differences in the information presented for the
insurers in Section 8 of this publication.
100 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

Table of Contents
1. Overview of insurance industry results 1

2. Long-term insurance 5
3. Short-term insurance 10
4. Investment performance 13
5. Capital and solvency 17
6. Insurance financial reporting in ‘no man’s land’ 19
7. Key industry statistics 24
8. Basis of information provided 28
9. Contacts 30
1. Overview of insurance industry
results
1.1 Long-term insurance
Key indicators – on an aggregated basis
Group IFRS earnings increase by 2%
Group return on average equity of 19%
Group embedded value profits up by 53%
Value of new business written up by 27%
Margin on new business improves to 3.2%
Despite continued market uncertainty and economic turmoil • Strong local equity market performance in 2012;
during 2012, the local equity market closed at almost record
• Significant reduction in long-term interest rates – to the
highs. Although global investment markets remained volatile,
lowest level in many years;
local performance was strong, with the JSE All Share Index
closing 23% higher than in 2011. The all bond index yielded a • Sovereign debt downgrade;
strong total return of 16% which was beneficial for long-term
• An increase in the trade deficit;
insurers.
• Rand weakness;
A significant proportion of the business written by long-
term insurers provide for a contractual link between the • Pressure on consumer disposable income;
investment return generated on assets which are passed on • Inflationary pressures on the economy;
to policyholders. Much of the investment gains of 2012 are
therefore offset by a corresponding increase in policyholder • High levels of unemployment; and
benefits. Over the past couple of years, insurers have also • Regulatory changes which continue to affect all insurance
adopted a more conservative investment strategy with regard businesses.
to shareholder asset allocations. This is partly due to the
impact that riskier asset classes have on their solvency capital Despite the above, there were some positive developments.
requirements. The long-term insurers reported stronger new business growth
in the last quarter of the year. In the aggregate, they increased
The long-term insurers included in this publication increased the embedded value of South African new business written by
group IFRS earnings by 2%. Different insurers achieved 27%, to R4.7 billion. They were also able to increase volumes
varying levels of success and the aggregate result has been of new business on a present value of new business premium
impacted by Old Mutual’s Emerging Market IFRS earnings basis by 7.4%, marginally above inflation. Margin on new
which decreased by 32%. The extent to which shareholder business written increased from 2.7% in 2011 to 3.2% in 2012,
assets were invested in the equity, bond and money markets supported by the lower risk discount rate used to discount the
as well as differences in hedging strategies impacted on the value of future profits.
individual insurers’ performance.
The majority of companies included in this publication had
It is important to note that South African long-term interest positive results with regard to their lapses/ persistency
rates reduced significantly in 2012, with the 10 year experience relative to assumptions set in 2011. All companies
government bond yield decreasing by more than 100 bps. This reported gains from positive mortality and morbidity
had an unfavourable impact on the valuation of investment experience. Despite the growing inflationary pressure on
guarantees for those groups that historically offered significant the economy, fuelled by high oil and energy prices and Rand
investment guarantees in some of their products. depreciation, most companies put through relatively small
increases in their expense assumptions for 2013. Going
Although CEOs focused less in their result presentations on the forward, insurers are likely to focus on achieving efficiencies
impact that factors in the external environment had on their through tight budgetary controls.
businesses in 2012, these cannot be ignored:
Old Mutual reported that in 2000, Africa’s GDP was
• Continued high volatility in global equity markets; $587 billion; in 2012 it is estimated to be just under $2 trillion
• European Sovereign dept crisis; and it is expected to grow in excess of $2.5 trillion in 2016.
The GDP growth is fuelled by a growing youthful population
• Subdued GDP growth; that are becoming increasingly urbanised and have more
discretionary income.

Given these exceptional growth prospects and the fact that Old Mutual’s focus, with its existing partnerships, is to sell
this population is underserviced by the insurance industry, funeral cover products, but is considering the possibility of
it is no surprise that long-term insurers are prioritising their expanding its product range as consumers are now able to pay
strategic business initiatives to include their expansion into for these products using their mobile phones. Sanlam has a
Africa. Liberty, Old Mutual and Sanlam have confirmed their presence in 10 African countries outside of South Africa. Old
preference to deliver growth in existing African partnerships. Mutual is exploring expansion opportunities into West and
Liberty plans to expand through focussing on rolling out new East Africa and has earmarked R5 billion for this. However,
products, affinities and enhancing distribution channels. the chief executives cautioned that businesses in Africa are
MMI has a footprint in 12 African countries, excluding South often expensive to acquire and organic growth might be an
Africa and have set aside R500 million to invest in expansion alternative option in some of these countries.
through organic growth or acquisition of businesses in Africa.
PwC 2
1.2 Short-term insurance The underwriting margin achieved in 2011 of 9.3% was nearly
halved to 4.6% in 2012. This has, to a large extent, been
attributed to the significant catastrophe losses suffered in
Key indicators – on an aggregated basis 2012. Following the adverse weather experience, panel beaters
Gross written premiums up 10% had to be imported to cope with the increased volume of motor
vehicle repairs. However, it is important to note that most
Claims ratios deteriorated to 66% insurers also reported an increase in their ‘business-as-usual’
claims. The increased prevalence of out of the ordinary events
Underwriting margin reduced to 4.6% has forced insurers to relook at, and better understand, the
risks they are underwriting.
Investment returns increased by 37%
The industry’s overall claims ratio increased to 66% (2011:
International solvency margin of 43%
62%). This compares to loss ratios last seen in 2009. In
addition to the large catastrophe losses, insurers have
2012 has once again shown the importance of insurance in attributed this to the weaker Rand in the second half of the
a world that is economically challenged and where natural year and a pickup in the crime-related claims. In the current
catastrophes have become regular headline news, both locally economic environment, firms, including insurers themselves,
and internationally. South Africa followed, almost exactly, the are therefore shifting their focus to cost savings. Insurers
global underwriting trend in 2012. In the first three quarters should be aware of cost cutting activities at customers. This
of 2012 the industry’s underwriting performance was good. might increase their exposure to risk where insureds reduce
However, the fourth quarter was significantly impacted by the some of their risk management activities. Insurers themselves
multi-million Rand Gauteng hailstorms and the St Francis Bay should therefore step up their underwriting practices. Proper
fires. These significant catastrophes adversely affected the underwriting will be the differentiator between insurers who
underwriting margins of the local insurers. Internationally, maintain good margins compared to those who do not.
following a benign first three quarters, Hurricane Sandy
The trend of a gradual decline in the acquisition cost ratio
significantly impacted the reinsurance market in the fourth
over the previous three years with a corresponding increase in
quarter. Swiss Re predicted a combined ratio of between 103%
the administrative expense ratio has continued in 2012. The
and 105% for the reinsurance industry in 2012.
change in ratios indicates a continued increase in business
It is not surprising that a number of the local players have from direct marketing channels. The combined acquisition
indicated that they will be re-pricing some of their business and administrative cost ratio has again slightly increased from
on a selective basis in 2013. If one were to compare the 28.8% in 2011 to around 29% of net earned premium in 2012,
underwriting margin achieved in 2011 of 9.3% to the 4.6% which may be indicative of start-up costs incurred in getting
achieved in 2012, this would support the hardening of the new direct businesses off the ground, as well as costs incurred
market. Motor lines remain by far the most significant line of by insurers in dealing with regulatory and reporting changes
business. A significant component of the overall repair costs of facing their business.
vehicles relate to imported parts and Rand weakness is pushing
The industry was positively impacted by the buoyant equity
up these costs.
market investment performance during 2012, with investment
Not everything is doom and gloom though. The reinsurance income up by almost a third compared to 2011. This was
market at present has excess capacity globally. In fact, Aon primarily due to the JSE All Share Index closing 23% higher
Benfield reported in January of this year that the reinsurance than in 2011. Although the long-term interest rates in 2012
capacity growth continues to outpace demand. Reinsurance were lower, the All Bond Index returned 16%. The average
capital reached $500 billion in 2012 for the first time. This short-term rate was stable during 2012.
is good news for local consumers. The new record level
As a result of stronger investment performance, some short-
of reinsurance capital creates what is likely the widest
term insurers were able to absorb some of the effect of the
gap between reinsurance supply and demand. Although
weakened underwriting performance in 2012. Despite the
reinsurance premiums have, after some years of stagnation,
tough trading conditions in 2012, some industry players still
started to increase again, reflecting possibly the end of the soft
boasted impressive weighted average returns on equity for
market underwriting cycle, the current level of supply over
2012. Santam posted 18% and Outsurance 43% return on
demand could postpone the turn in the cycle in the near-term.
average equity.
Reinsurance rates should therefore remain competitive to the
benefit of the end consumer. The industry’s capital adequacy position, calculated on the
international solvency margin basis, reduced from 49% in 2011
The South African personal lines market remains very
to 43% in 2012. No insurer included in this publication had a
competitive, especially for motor business. This was confirmed
solvency margin of below 40%.
in our June 2012 survey of insurance companies where 95% of
respondents rated the level of competition for motor business
as intensive. More than half of them have made significant
changes to strategy and positioning over the last year. With
new direct writer market entrants such as MiWay (part of
Santam) which hit the R1 billion premium written level in
2012, competition is fierce. Against this backdrop, the short-
term insurers grew gross written premiums by 10%, outpacing
CPI for 2012.

1.3 Looking forward
2012 was a year of opposites for the long-term and short- South Africa has a very competitive insurance market, with a
term insurance industries. Long-term insurers benefited from number of direct writers having entered the market in recent
strong investment markets but the same level of performance years. A potential growth area to keep an eye on is technology
may not be expected to repeat itself in 2013, despite strong and the use of big data and cloud. Insurers with modern
performances continuing in the first couple of months in 2013. information systems are potentially well-placed to make use of
While short-term insurers suffered from catastrophe losses, technology for sending, receiving or storing any information
the market have priced their shares to exclude a recurrence of via telecommunication devices, which can be used to evaluate
catastrophes of the same magnitude in 2013. risk proactively, for example gathering information on vehicle
location and driving style for use in dynamic pricing decisions.
Premium growth in 2013 will be under pressure due to This can be used to make risk management more effective,
the inflationary pressures on the economy, the continuing by communicating potential catastrophes effectively to
competitiveness in the insurance market as well as slow consumers.
economic recovery. Consumers have to contend with
inflationary pressures including increased fuel price, imminent With a number of countries with some of the highest economic
urban tolls, electricity and other utilities increases which growth rates on our doorstep, insurers will continue to expand
impact adversely on their spending power. on the African continent. For example Mutal & Federal
indicated that they are in the process of acquiring Oceanic’s
Regulation remains top of mind for insurance executives. Nigerian short-term insurance business. Together with other
The industry will be impacted by the cost of implementing emerging markets, Africa will remain the area where global
proposed Social Security reforms, Treating Customers Fairly insurers look to grow their businesses in the foreseeable
(TCF) and Solvency Assessment and Management (SAM) with future. As these markets are not yet as competitive as the
the third and compulsory Quantitative Impact Study planned traditional local market, they offer an opportunity to earn
for later this year. profits at attractive levels. Given the competitive nature of the
South African insurance industry, innovation has been a key
The current economic environment will be challenging for driver for continued success. Taking these and new innovative
annuity writers. The increase in longevity as a result of medical solutions to African countries should help insurers get a
advances, inflationary pressure in managing these policies and competitive advantage in those new markets.
the reduction in yields when bonds have to be reinvested, are
all impacting negatively on annuity business. The long-term
insurers will have to adapt to the low-interest environment and
can learn from the UK experience.
Although long-term insurers may benefit to some extent

from a weaker Rand on offshore investments, they will have
to contend with the low interest rate environment for some
time. Insurers have responded to this, with Old Mutual
implementing an interest rate hedge and Liberty managing its
market risk through the Libfin business unit. The long-term
insurers should however benefit from increased fees generated
off higher asset levels in 2013, following the strong market
performance in 2012.
The Rand weakened to its weakest levels against the dollar in a

number of years as investor concerns increased over the labour
unrest. Unresolved labour relation issues and the widening of
the trade deficit will keep the Rand on the back foot. Falling
mining production also does not help the widening current-
account deficit. Labour costs will also contine to increase due
to the emerging pressures in the industry.
The fact that the Rand has been the worst performing
emerging market currency is also bad news for short-term
insurers, given the significant proportion of imported
vehicle parts and the effect this will have on claims inflation.
Inevitably, these costs will have to be passed on to consumers.
The sovereign debt downgrade in 2012 also impacted

negatively on the insurers, with many of them having their
ratings downgraded as well. This impacts negatively on their
ability to raise debt at reasonable prices in the capital markets.
For a company like Santam, which is bedding down and
growing its reinsurance business, a strong credit rating would
be vital in order to compete with global reinsurance players.
PwC 4
2. Long-term insurance
2.1 Group IFRS earnings 2.2 Group embedded value
IFRS earnings Embedded value

Combined results Combined results
2012 2011 2010 2012 2012 2011 2010 2012
Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011 Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011
Total 20 390 19 962 15 644 2% Embedded 220 344 191 165 172 641 15%
comprehensive value
income
Embedded 38 941 25 389 21 881 53%
Return on average 19% 20% 20% -5% value
equity1 earnings1
1
Excludes MMI in 2010 as this information was not available for the newly Return on 19% 14% 16% 36%
embedded
formed group.
value1
The long-term insurers included in this analysis recorded 1
Excludes MMI in 2010 as this information was not available for the newly
combined group IFRS earnings of R20.4 billion, up 2% on formed group.
2011. This is a steady performance in a period where the JSE
all share index closed 23% higher than at the start of the The long-term insurers recorded strong group embedded value
year. The all bond index yielded a strong total return of 16% earnings in 2012. The main contributors to this performance
which was beneficial for long-term insurers. However, its were the significant earnings from investment markets, as well
yield reduced by approximately 75bps to an average of 7.5%. as the effect of lower market interest rates on valuations. This
The repurchase rate (repo rate) was also reduced from 5.5% result also reflects steady operating performances by the South
to 5.0% in July. Despite the positive equity and bond market African businesses in 2012. This is highlighted in the overview
performance, there were large variations in IFRS earnings of insurance industry results as well as in the new business
achieved by the respective insurers. For example, one insurer’s statistics, analysed in more detail below.
IFRS earnings more than doubled in 2012 while another saw
earnings reduced by almost a third. 2.3 Embedded value of South
South African equities ended the year near record highs at African new business
the end of 2012, after a 23% surge that marks the best annual
return since 2009, lifted by a strong performance from the Value of new business
retail industry. Equities in Africa’s biggest economy have
surprised most investors in 2012, as shares largely shrugged Combined results
off sluggish economic growth and three months of industrial 2012 2011 2010 2012
action in the crucial mining sector that sparked credit Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011
downgrades. Present 148 178 137 915 129 322 7%
value of new
As a result of the 8% higher average shareholders’ equity business
that the insurers held, the combined group return on average premiums
equity reduced to 19%, compared to the 20% achieved in 2010 (PVNBP)
and 2011. This is reflective of a cautious approach followed in Embedded 4 694 3 699 2 983 27%
investing shareholders’ capital, hedging against exposure to value of new
the volatile equity markets and holding slightly higher levels of business
capital. (VNB)
Value of new 3.2% 2.7% 2.3% 19%
Liberty posted a 26% (2011: 22%) return on average equity, business
followed by Discovery at 23% (2011: 27%), Old Mutual at 21% margin
(2011: 33%), Sanlam at 16% (2011: 17%) and MMI at 14%
Average 6.3 years 6.3 years 6.3 years 0%
(2011: 6%).
payback
period


The PVNBP written by the long-term insurers in 2012 reflects a Figure 2.2
steady increase. The year-on-year increase of 7.4%
(2011: 6.6%) reflects an increase in demand for life insurance Value of new business (VNB) and value on new business
products when compared to CPI of 5.6%. The value of the margin
increase was however also helped by lower market interest
rates. Consumers continue to struggle in tough economic
Value of new business (R millions)

2,000
conditions and the increase in volume of business is therefore a 8%
good result under the circumstances.
7%
1,500
VNB margin
Not only were the insurers able to increase their PVNBP, but 6%
were also able to do so with a margin on new business that
5%
at 3.2% was 19% higher than in 2011 at 2.7%. This was the 1,000
second consecutive year where insurers were able to increase 4%
the margin achieved on new business written. Insurers were 3%
500
therefore able to achieve a good balance between increasing
2%
new business volumes and thereby benefiting from economies
of scale and focusing on the quality of the business written by 0 1%
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
their sales forces and achieving good profit margins. As a result
of both the positive growth in PVNBP as well as the margins
Discovery Liberty MMI Old Sanlam
locked into this new business, the long-term insurers were able Mutual
to grow the VNB by 27% (2011: 24%).
Value of new business (VNB)
The average payback period remained constant at 6.3 years. VNB margin
This is a crude measure to indicate the average period over
which the majority of the VNB will be earned (PVNBP divided Source: PwC analysis
by annual premium equivalent).
Discovery
Figure 2.1
Discovery achieved PVNBP of R14.0 billion in 2012, which was
Industry value of new business (VNB) and value on new at similar levels to both 2011 and 2010. However, the company
business margin was not able to maintain the value of new business margin
at the same levels as in 2011, which decreased from 7.3% to
6.4%. As a result of the reduced margin and a slight reduction
Value of new business (R millions)
in volume, the value of new business decreased by 14% to

5,000 3.5%
R904 million. Although Discovery was able to increase the
3.0% value of new business margin on its risk business, the change
4,000
VNB margin
2.5% in business mix (more towards investment business that

3,000
2.0% attracts lower margins) resulted in an overall reduction in the
1.5%
value of new business margin. Discovery noted the continued
2,000
positive impact that policyholder engagement with Vitality has
1.0%
1,000 on the company’s persistency levels.
0.5%
0
2010 2011 2012
0.0% Liberty
Liberty’s VNB of R660 million increased by 70% in 2012 and
Discovery VNB Liberty VNB
benefited from the continuation of the group’s improved
MMI VNB Old Mutual VNB persistency levels and the successes of its financial advisor
Sanlam VNB Value of new business
value propositions with increased headcount across all
margin distribution channels. The group also profited from the
increased size of the in-force book of policies – for the first time
since the Capital Alliance acquisition in 2005 – which impacted
Source: PwC analysis positively on the cost per policy assumption. The company
wrote PVNBP amounting to R33.5 billionn, an increase of
18% in 2012. This represents 23% of the total PVNBP for
the insurers in this publication and has an expected payback
period of 5.7 years, which is better than the average of the
other long-term insurers considered in this publication. Liberty
grew its share of the large insurers’ market share while at the
same time improving the margin on new business to 2.0%.
PwC 6
MMI
MMI’s value of new business grew by 11% to R601 million Figure 2.3 reflects both the monetary value of acquisition costs
in 2012. Although the group’s PVNBP reduced by 9% to paid by the long-term insurers for the years 2010 to 2012 and
R32.6 billion, the value of new business margin improved the ratio of acquisition costs incurred relative to the annual
from 1.5% to 1.8% in 2012. The group’s business volumes premium equivalent (a measure of new business written
reduced but MMI was able to achieve a better overall value of by taking 10% of single premiums and 12 months worth of
new business margin. In the last six months of 2012 the group recurring premiums) of new business written for the respective
achieved strong growth compared to the corresponding period years:
in 2011, except for the Metropolitan Retail business that yields
Figure 2.3
high margins where the new business volumes were flat. MMI’s
average payback period remained steady at 7.3 years in 2012.
Acquisition cost and ratio to annual premium equivalent
(APE)
Old Mutual
Old Mutual’s insurance business increased its PVNBP in 2012 3,500
Acquisition costs (R millions)
Acquisition cost to APE ratio

100%
by 14% to R40.7 billion. The company increased its value of 3,000
new business margin from 2.9% to 3.9%. The result of both a
strong increase in the PVNBP and the uplift in expected margin 2,500 80%
achieved on this business is that the VNB increased by 56% 2,000
to R1.6 billion in 2012. The group benefited from growth in 60%
1,500
sales in its Mass Foundation Cluster by increasing the adviser
force by 12% as well as investing heavily in their customer 1,000
40%
relationship management capability. The value of new business
500
written was also boosted by improved product mix across the
business. Old Mutual’s payback period lengthened marginally 0 20%
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
to 6.7 years in 2012.
Discovery Liberty MMI Old Sanlam
Sanlam Mutual
Sanlam increased its PVNBP by 17% to R27.3 billion in 2012. Acquisition cost
The company also increased its value of new business margin Acquisition cost to APE ratio
from 3.0% to 3.4% in 2012, which resulted in an increase in
its VNB by 34% to R939 million. The group focuses on writing Source: PwC analysis
good quality business at an appropriate margin. As a result of
the selective targeting of customers, the group achieved their In the previous year we noted the decreasing trend in
best persistency levels since 2007. Sanlam also benefited from acquisition costs relative to the APE ratio. Acquisition costs as
a strong improvement in the margin achieved on the entry- a percentage of new business APE had been reducing over the
level business. Sanlam’s payback period increased marginally last three years to 2011 for most companies. One of the reasons
from 5 years to 5.2 years in 2012. for this trend was the change in commission regulations that
came into effect in 2009 whereby long-term insurers were
no longer allowed to remunerate intermediaries for certain
2.4 Cost management types of the investment/savings contracts through upfront
commissions. The commission structure on these products was
Costs changed to a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis, i.e. commission is only paid
Combined results if the policyholder pays the premium. In 2012, acquisition costs
as a percentage of new business APE flattened out for some
2012 2011 2010 2012 companies.
Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011
Acquisition 12 835 11 785 10 929 9% It is clear from the graph above that Discovery’s product mix
costs may still be heavily weighted towards pure risk products,
General 27 068 24 958 20 411 8% which attract significantly higher commissions and, as such,
marketing and acquisition costs would be a significant proportion of first-year
administration premium income. Discovery has also increased the proportion
costs of its new business written by agents, which could account for
Annual 23 579 21 896 20 616 8% the increase in this ratio of acquisition cost to new business
premium APE in the current year.
equivalent
Acquisition costs incurred by the South African businesses

(Emerging Markets segment for Old Mutual) of the long-
term insurers increased by 8.9% to R12.8 billion in 2012.
This is lower than the increase in APE growth of 7.7%
over the same period. Acquisition costs have therefore not
increased to the same extent as new business premiums. This
could be indicative of a changing product mix, with more
investment products being sold, which attract relatively lower
commissions than risk products.
Figure 2.4 Figure 2.5
Premiums vs expenses Large offices: Expenses vs CPI
200% 200%
180% 180%
160% 160%
140% 140%
120%
120%
100%
100%
80%
80%
60%
Dec 2011
Jun 2011
Dec 2012
Dec 2010
Dec 2008
Jun 2010
Jun 2009
Jun 2012
Dec 2009
Jun 2011
Jun 2012
Dec 2008
Jun 2009
Dec 2009
Jun 2010
Dec 2010
Dec 2011
Dec 2012
Large offices: % admin % CPI index

ASISA All offices: ASISA All offices: and marketing expenses
Total premium Admin and marketing
expenses
Source: Large offices expenses obtained from statistics published by
Large offices: Large offices: the Association for Savings and Investment SA (ASISA) and CPI
Total premium Admin and marketing from Statistics SA.
expenses
For the period 2008 through to June 2010, the expenses
Source: Obtained from statistics published by the Association for incurred by large insurance offices tracked the CPI index.
Savings and Investment SA (ASISA). However, from June 2010 and again in the second half of
2012 there was a stepped change. The expenses incurred by
The level of expenses for ‘large’ offices and ‘all’ offices are
long-term insurers grew significantly faster than CPI. This is
closely correlated for all periods presented. From 2010 to 2011
reflective of the cost of doing business in a highly regulated
the large offices seem to have lost market share to smaller,
industry and is not surprising when one considers the cost of
but faster-growing players in the market. The large offices’
all the changes to the regulatory environment, not to mention
premium levels for 2010 and 2011 were depressed compared
all the other inflationary pressures within the economy.
to levels seen from 2008 to 2009, in nominal terms. In 2012
things started to change. The large offices’ premium income SAM places a higher demand on scarce and skilled resources,
grew strongly, especially in the second half of the year. for example actuarial resources. In our June 2012 survey of
Contrary to the large offices whose premiums grew by 18% insurers, a lack of skilled resources and specialist talent was
in the second half of the year, the level of premiums for all highlighted as an emerging trend. This will negatively impact
life offices was flat. It would seem that the large offices have the cost for these resources. Legacy information systems were
regained some of the market share lost to some of the smaller also highlighted as a weakness. Insurers will also have to get
players over the last couple of years. to grips with the SAM Pillar III reporting requirements. The
quantitative as well as the qualitative disclosure could have a
Although premium levels were stagnant over the past couple
significant impact on how insurers are judged by policyholders,
of years, expenses have continued to increase and were more
investors and supervisors.
than 80% up in 2012 compared to 2008 levels.
PwC 8
Figure 2.6 Old Mutual
Expenses as a percentage of premiums Old Mutual indicated that they were successful in their
maintenance expense management and also benefited from
15% some positive assumption changes in this regard.
14%
Sanlam
13%
As one of its priorities for 2013, Sanlam noted the need to
12%
improve operational efficiency. During the year the group
11% completed the implementation of new IT systems at a cost
10% of some R400 million, which will enable Sanlam Personal
Finance to improve efficiencies and design more innovative
9% and competitive products. The group acknowledged the
8% imperative of a digital strategy to remain relevant into the
future and have intensified their focus on digital strategy.
7%
Dec 2011
Jun 2011
Dec 2012
Dec 2008
Jun 2008
Jun 2010
Jun 2012
Dec 2009
Dec 2010
Jun 2009
ASISA All offices: ASISA large offices:

Expenses/premium Expenses/premium
Source: Association for Savings and Investment SA (ASISA).
Figure 2.6 is interesting. It reflects that up to the end of 2009,

the larger offices were able to use their economies of scale in
efficiently managing their insurance businesses compared to
all offices. When one considers that all offices also include
the large offices, the gap in the ratio of expenses compared
to premium income between large offices and the smaller
offices is far more pronounced. However, in June 2010 the
position changed completely. It might be that the large offices
have been more responsive to the regulatory, compliance and
customer demand changes compared to the smaller players in
the market. Again, the gap between the large offices and all
offices in the expense ratio is significant from January 2010 to
June 2012. In the second half of 2012 this however narrowed
significantly.
Liberty
Liberty indicated that it would continue to manage the
business within their assumption set. In the period it integrated
regulatory change initiatives for SAM, PoPI (Protection of
Personal Information Act) and TCF. It also strengthened its risk
management capabilities and improved its financial, risk and
capital forecasting capabilities.
MMI
The MMI merger resulted in the group having in excess of 300
under-utilised staff members (who could not be retrenched for
the two years following the merger). The group indicated that
half of these individuals had been redeployed in the business
and the remainder voluntarily left the group. Following the
merger, the group targeted an annual cost saving amounting to
R500 million to be achieved over three years, of which
R256 million has been achieved to date.

3. Short-term insurance
3.1 Gross written premiums
Gross written premiums

Absa
Combined results Absa’s GWP increased by 11% to R4.3 billion in 2012. This was
slightly subdued compared to the growth of 13% achieved in
2012 2011 2010 1
2012
2011.
Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011
Gross written 44 826 40 852 32 395 10% Mutual & Federal
premiums
Net earned 36 039 33 653 26 799 7%
Mutal & Federal’s GWP increased by 9% to R9.7 billion in
premiums 2012. This result was supported by the strong premium growth
achieved in iWyze, with policy count growing by 33% to now
1
The 2010 numbers exclude Outsurance as detailed comparative exceed the 50,000 mark. iWyze is Mutal & Federal’s direct joint
information is not publicly available. venture with Old Mutual’s mass foundation business.
Outsurance
Figure 3.1
Outsurance posted 18% growth in GWP to R7.6 billion. This
Industry gross written premiums (GWP) vs underwriting result includes Youi, Outsurance’s Australian start-up business.
margin Youi doubled its GWP in 2012 to R1.8 billion. Eliminating the
impact that this business has on Outsurance’s consolidated
50,000 10%
results, Outsurance grew its GWP locally by 4%.
40,000 8% Santam
Underwriting margin
Santam posted a 9% increase in GWP to R19.4 billion,

GWP (R millions)
30,000 6% gaining some market share with industry premiums reflecting

marginal growth. Santam grew the GWP on its motor book
by 10%, assisted by strong growth achieved in the Miway
20,000 4%
business. Although the property book only grew by 6%, strong
growth in the albeit smaller specialist lines such as crop and
10,000 2% engineering made up for this.
0 0% Zurich
2010 2011 2012
% Zurich’s business volumes declined by 3% to below R3.8 billion
Absa Ins GWP Mutual & Federal GWP in 2012. The company’s business has been in remission for
three consecutive years. The group’s cell captive business is in
Outsurance GWP Santam GWP run-off which impact on the GWP numbers.
Zurich GWP Combine underwriting

margin
Source: PwC Analysis

The 2010 information excludes the GWP and underwriting margin of
Outsurance as detailed comparative information is not publicly available.
Gross written premiums (GWP) increased by 10% during

2012 to R44.8 billion for the year. The growth is ahead of the
CPI index of 5.6% for 2012. This represents an improvement
over 2011 when the insurers included in this publication were
unable to achieve any real growth. The 2012 industry result
also benefited from strong growth achieved in Outsurance’s
Australian business. This business doubled in size during 2012
and if this impact is eliminated the industry still grew GWP by
a credible 7.6%.
PwC 10
Figure 3.2 The impact of these catastrophes on the insurers included in
this publication varies significantly. The extent of the adverse
Gross written premiums (GWP) vs underwriting margin effect on claims ratios depends firstly on exposure to these
catastrophes and secondly on the extent and method in which
20,000 50% these exposures were ceded to reinsurers.
Gross written premiums (R millions)
40% • Santam indicated that they had incurred R475 million

15,000 gross catastrophe losses. This consisted of R280 million
Underwriting margin
30%
for hail, R140 million for flood and R55 million for fire.
20%
At the analysts presentation, Santam indicated that
10,000 the catastrophes impacted its underwriting margin by
10% approximately 2.5%. This amounts to R390 million of net
earned premium. This indicates that Santam’s catastrophe
0% reinsurance cover kicks in at higher catastrophe loss levels
5,000
as the group had retained the majority of the losses.
-10%
• Mutual & Federal incurred hail and fire claims amounting
0 -20% to R144 million and R201 million respectively. In addition
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
to the St Francis Bay fire claims (amounting to R24 million

Absa Mutual & Outsurance Santam Zurich
of the R201 million) the group also experienced a marked
Insurance Federal increase in commercial fire claims.
Underwriting margin • Outsurance experienced its most severe weather-related

Gross written
premiums (GWP) catastrophes in its history and incurred total claims of
R180 million. Due to the group’s conservative reinsurance
strategy only R40 million of this amount was retained
Source: PwC analysis. The 2010 information excludes the GWP and
underwriting margin of Outsurance as detailed comparative information is within the group. However, it incurred R19 million
not publicly available. additional premiums to reinstate the reinsurance cover.
• Absa indicated that it incurred high fire-related claims in
3.2 Key ratios its commercial portfolio as well as an increase in fire- and
weather-related personal lines claims during the last quarter
of 2012.
Key ratios
Combined results The extent of losses suffered above highlights the importance
of robust underwriting practices for insurers. Without
2012 2011 2010 1
% % %
the required understanding from appropriate analysis of
concentration risk and accumulation of exposures, insurers
Claims ratio 66.3 61.9 65.3 could incur far greater losses than anticipated. Predictive
Acquisition cost ratio 11.3 11.6 15.0 technology could possibly be used in future to reduce potential
Expense ratio 17.8 17.2 13.4 catastrophe claims.
Combined ratio 95.4 90.7 93.7 Across the board, the claims ratios in 2012 deteriorated when
Underwriting margin 4.6 9.3 6.3 compared to 2011. Absa and Outsurance were able to keep
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0
their increase to a minimum with the loss ratios only increasing
marginally. Mutual and Federal and Zurich were most affected
1
The 2010 numbers exclude Outsurance as detailed comparative as their claims ratios increased by 12% and 14% respectively.
information is not publicly available. Santam’s claims ratio increased by 6%.
2012 was a tough year for South African short-term insurers. The acquisition cost ratio continued to decline. The ratio has
Most insurers experienced a significant uplift in claims been steadily declining from 2009 through 2012 to 11.3%
experience compared to 2011. This was the result, not only (2009: 15.6%). It is clear that the direct marketing insurers are
from an increase in business as usual claims, but also from increasing their market share. The move to direct marketing
catastrophe losses approaching R2 billion for the industry distribution channels is reflected in the administrative expense
namely: ratio, which further increased from 13.2% in 2009 to 17.8% in
2012.
• Mpumalanga floods in January;
• Gauteng hailstorms in October and November; and
• St Francis Bay fires in November.

The reduction in acquisition costs and corresponding increase Most traditional short-term insurance business written in
in administrative expenses is a result of the growth of the South Africa relates to policies that can be re-priced on a
Miway and iWyze business. Miway wrote R1 billion in monthly basis. The business is also typically short-tail in
premiums in 2012. iWyze is roughly a third the size of Miway nature, i.e. the period between the date at which a claim is
judged by the number of policies on the books. When one incurred and it being reported to the insurance company
considers the combined acquisition and expense ratios, this is fairly short. As a result, there is not a significant amount
has increased from 28.8% in 2011 to 29.0% in 2012. This is of uncertainty inherent in the measurement of liabilities of
despite growth in GWP in excess of CPI. The challenge for fast- short-term insurers in South Africa. The direct insurers are
growing start-up businesses is to manage adverse selection and more responsive and flexible when it comes to market forces
to achieve economies of scale coupled with tight cost control. and can adjust premiums rates quickly and also have better
Miway indicated that they target R2 billion of premium to underwriting data at their fingertips.
achieve the required economies of scale.
The MiWay business incurred an underwriting loss R37 million

which, if it wasn’t for the catastrophe losses, might potentially
have operated at a break-even level. iWyze, on the other hand,
increased its start-up losses to R161 million (2011: R119
million).
PwC 12
4. Investment performance
4.1 Market performance The decrease in the yield impacted insurers positively who
had invested in fixed rate instruments as they benefited from a
After reporting the 2011 financial year results, insurers fair value uplift in these instruments. However, insurers were
anticipated an upturn in the market for 2012 following the exposed to lower yielding assets where they had reinvested
lacklustre performance in 2011. When analysing the market’s in 2012, especially after July 2012 when the South African
performance for a period, it is important to understand the Reserve Bank (SARB) lowered the repo rate. This had an
underlying factors that drive performance. To put the insurers’ unfavourable impact on discounting liabilities at a lower rate,
2012 performance into perspective, a closer look at the JSE All especially considering the increase of value of guaranteed
Share Index and bond market is required. products. The effect of the decrease in the repo rate on the All
Bond Index is reflected in figure 4.2 on the next page.
In 2012, the JSE All Share Index delivered a phenomenal
performance, closing 22.7% higher than at the start of the The SARB lowered the repo rate from 5.5% to 5.0% in July
year. This performance was achieved despite the tough 2012 to help alleviate some of the economic pressures faced
economic and social environment experienced in South Africa by a number of sectors in an attempt to support economic
in 2012. When taking a more in-depth look at the Figure 4.1, recovery. The SARB further stated that, given the prevailing
16% of the 22.7% increase was achieved in the second half conditions at that time and their concerns going forward, they
of 2012. The JSE increased on average by 9.5% in 2012. This thought it important to be proactive. Although the lowering of
assisted insurers in generating higher asset-based fee income. the repo rate could assist to stimulate the economy, it results in
lower investment inflows as returns are lower.
The yield on the All Bond Index decreased to close at 7.05%
after opening at 8.12%. The yield decreased by more than
100 bps despite the downgrade of South Africa’s credit
outlook, which would have caused the credit spreads to widen.
The index however still delivered a 16% total return, which
is considered good given the downgrade of South Africa’s
sovereign credit outlook.
Figure 4.1
JSE All Share Index
40,000
Index
35,000
30,000
25,000
1-Jan-11
31-Jan-11
28-Feb-11
31-Mar-11
29-Apr-11
31-May-11
30-Jun-11
29-Jul-11
31-Aug-11
30-Sep-11
31-Oct-11
30-Nov-11
30-Dec-11
31-Jan-12
29-Feb-12
30-Mar-12
30-Apr-12
31-May-12
29-Jun-12
31-Jul-12
31-Aug-12
28-Sep-12
31-Oct-12
30-Nov-12
31-Dec-12
JSE ALSI JSE ALSI Average
Source: McGregor BFA

Figure 4.2
All Bond Index yield
9.0
8.5
Yield
8.0
7.5
7.0
6.5
1-Jan-11
31-Jan-11
28-Feb-11
31-Mar-11
30-Apr-11
31-May-11
30-Jun-11
31-Jul-11
31-Aug-11
30-Sep-11
31-Oct-11
30-Nov-11
31-Dec-11
31-Jan-12
29-Feb-12
31-Mar-12
30-Apr-12
31-May-12
30-Jun-12
31-Jul-12
31-Aug-12
30-Sep-12
31-Oct-12
30-Nov-12
31-Dec-12
ALBI yield ALBI yield average
Source: McGregor BFA
4.2 Industry investment performance

Long-term insurers
Combined results
2012 2011 2010 2012
Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011
Total invested assets1 1 492 930 1 283 491 1 220 588 16%
Income on invested assets 211 612 88 094 137 610 140%
Return on average invested assets3 15.2% 7.0%
Adjusted net worth per embedded value report2 72 497 53 483 47 388 36%
Income on adjusted net worth2 6 730 2 550 3 868 164%
Return on average adjusted net worth2 10.7% 5.1% 8.4%

Short-term insurers
Combined results
2012 2011 2010 2012
Rm Rm Rm vs. 2011
Total consolidated invested assets1 29 001 28 630 27 709 1%
Income on invested assets 3
2 431 1 741 40%
Return on average invested assets 3
8.4% 6.2%
¹ Invested assets comprise the group financial assets, investment properties as well as the cash and cash equivalents of the insurers (for Old
Mutual the Emerging Market segment information has been used). This includes all policyholder and shareholder assets.
2
This information has been taken from the group-embedded value reports of the long-term insurers, but excludes MMI for 2011 and 2010 as
insufficient information was available to calculate the return on average adjusted net worth for the newly formed group.
3
The combined return on average invested assets for 2010 could not be calculated as there is insufficient information available for MMI and
Outsurance.
PwC 14
The combined invested assets of the long-term insurers grew Figure 4.3
by 16% from R1.28 trillion in 2011 to R1.49 trillion in 2012.
The total investment income earned in 2012 amounted to Return on invested assets and return on average adjusted
R211.6 billion, representing a return of 15.2%. The combined net worth: long-term insurers
adjusted net worth (ANW) grew by 36% from R53.5 billion
in 2011 to R72.5 billion in 2012. The average income on ANW 18%
totalled R6.7 billion in 2012. This represents a return of 10.7%
16%
which has doubled from 5.1% in 2011. When one considers the
more than doubling of return on net worth in 2012, the long- 14%
term insurers still have exposure to the equity market as part of
their shareholder assets as is reflected in the improved returns. 12%
Over the last few years we have seen an increased focus on 10%
balance sheet management, both by local and international
8%
insurers. The focus on balance sheets has been in the form of
de-risking and de-leveraging as we see insurers returning to 6%
their core activities and pursuing revenue and earnings growth
with increased stability. This is reflected in the consistency 4%
achieved on the return on equity. As part of their preliminary
results announcement, Old Mutual reported that while 2%
the economic environment remains uncertain, they have 0%
significantly restructured and de-risked their business to focus Discovery Liberty Old Mutual Sanlam MMI
on the markets where they want to be and where they see long-
term, structural growth. Liberty, through LibFin Investments, 2011 Return on 2012 Return on
increased its portfolio diversification and benefited from invested assets invested assets
favourable investment market movements.
2011 Return on 2012 Return on
For some insurers, the de-risking of balance sheets will average adjusted average adjusted
continue in the short term only, whereas it may be a longer net worth net worth
Source: PwC analysis
term effort for others. The introduction of SAM and the
consequent increase in balance sheet volatility will clearly Discovery grew its invested assets by 46.2% from R19.4 billion
influence balance sheet management activities over the next in 2011 to R28.3 billion in 2012. Invested assets have increased
five years. by R5.4 billion due to the sale of Discovery Invest products
as well as the significant returns on these investments.
The second quantitative impact study (QIS2) exercise Discovery’s ANW grew by 17.5% from R3.1 billion in 2011 to
conducted by the FSB showed that there is very little difference R3.6 billion in 2012.
in the overall free surplus under SA QIS2, compared to that
under the current position for long-term insurers. Liberty’s investments grew by 15.9% from R243.6 billion in
2011 to R282.4 billion in 2012. Liberty’s ANW grew by 15.1%
Market risk (and in particular equity risk) still remains a key from R13.6 billion in 2011 to R15.7 billion in 2012, which
component of the capital requirements under SA QIS2 – in the LibFin manages under a low risk balanced mandate.
region of 40-45% of the basic standard capital requirement for
both long- and short-term insurers. This will increase the focus MMI grew its invested assets by 16.9% from R269.7 billion in
on equities in the board room, and in particular, on how they 2011 to R315.3 billion in 2012. MMI’s ANW grew by 1.6% from
contribute to both the cost of maintaining a healthy balance R13.0 billion in 2011 to R13.2 billion in 2012.
sheet and contribution to increasing return on equity.
The invested assets included in Old Mutual’s Emerging Markets
segment grew by 15.2% from R410.3 billion in 2011 to R472.5
billion in 2012. Old Mutual’s ANW grew by 12.7% from R22.2
billion in 2011 to R25.0 billion in 2012. This is most likely a
result of Old Mutual restructuring and de-risking its business.
Sanlam’s invested assets grew by 15.8% from R340.6 billion in

2011 to R394.4 billion in 2012. Sanlam’s ANW grew by 2.7%
from R14.6 billion in 2011 to R14.9 billion in 2012.

Figure 4.4 Most short-term insurers experienced significant catastrophe
losses during the last quarter of 2012, which adversely affected
Return on invested assets: short-term insurers the underwriting margin. However, short-term insurers
benefited from the strong market performance. Zurich posted
14% a 12.1% (2011: 7.8%) return on average invested assets,
followed by Santam at 9.8% (2011: 6.6%), Outsurance at 6.1%
12%
(2011: 6.5%) and Mutual & Federal at 5.9% (2011: 4.4%).
10% Short-term insurers typically invest in debt securities and cash.
8% When predicting what the market will do in 2013, all insurers

had a similar message for investors. Notwithstanding
6% the positive economic indications experienced in 2012, a
repeat performance in 2013 is unlikely. A low interest rate
4%
environment is seen as the ‘new norm’ for insurers and the
2% effects thereof should be considered. This makes designing
attractive investment products challenging for long-term
0% insurers. Investor confidence remained fragile, local operating
Mutual & Outsurance Santam Zurich
Federal conditions and unemployment levels remain challenging
and are expected to continue into 2013. Uncertainty over the
2011 Return on 2012 Return on Eurozone debt crisis remains high and continues to influence
invested assets invested assets
the world economy. South Africa is not insulated from this.
Source: PwC analysis
PwC 16
5. Capital and solvency
5.1 Long-term insurance Old Mutual
The Old Mutual plc group has applied £1.52 billion of cash to
Capital adequacy requirement cover the repayment of debt since January 2010. The group believes
Combined results it is well positioned to make the transition to Solvency II in
the UK (when effective) and SAM in South Africa, which will
2012 2011 2010 2012
vs. 2011
become effective on 1 January 2015 with parallel reporting
runs in 2014. Old Mutual South Africa remained well
Discovery 3.9 4.4 3.9 -11% capitalised with a CAR cover of 3.9 times at 31 December 2012.
Liberty 2.7 2.9 2.7 -6%
MMI 2.4 2.3 2.5 4% Sanlam
Old Mutual 3.9 4.0 3.9 -3% Sanlam confirmed the group’s preference of investing
South Africa discretionary capital in growth opportunities. During 2012,
Sanlam 4.3 3.7 3.4 16% Sanlam utilised discretionary capital of R3.3 billion for this
purpose and has continued to expand the group’s footprint in
Discovery Africa, India and Malaysia. Sanlam is currently considering
future opportunities which, if successful, will utilise an
Discovery is in a growth phase. The company has indicated additional R3 billion discretionary capital. Sanlam announced
that it will continue to invest profits made on the long-term the distribution of R1 billion of discretionary capital to
insurance business back into the business. The group will shareholders by way of a special dividend which, in line with
continue to invest approximately 5-7% of operating profits the group’s capital management strategy, is distributed to
towards the development of new businesses and aims to shareholders where it is not likely to be applied within the
achieve a return on capital at the risk-free rate plus 10%. business. The life insurance business remained sufficiently
The group indicated that with its growth, it will continue capitalised with an increase in CAR cover from 3.7 times in
to reinvest in the business. Discovery Life Limited’s capital 2011 to 4.3 times in 2012.
adequacy requirement (CAR) decreased from 4.4 times in 2011
to 3.9 times in 2012.
5.2 Short-term insurance
Liberty
International solvency margin
Liberty Group Limited’s CAR cover decreased from 2.9 times in
2011 to 2.7 times in 2012. The decrease is due to funding the Combined results
share buy-backs of R415 million. Liberty is in the process of 2012 2011 2010 1
preparing for the proposed new long-term insurance solvency Combined 43% 49% 47%
regime and has reported that the group is appropriately solvency margin
positioned from a capital perspective. Liberty declared a
special dividend of 130 cents per share given the increase in
earnings in 2012 and after taking into account the additional Individual Mutual & Outsurance Santam Zurich
capital required for the new business flows. The group also companies Federal
indicated that they are planning for the rationalisation of 2012 47% 47% 41% 69%
their life licences with the SAM implementation. It is expected 2011 52% 47% 48% 68%
that this will result in a reduction of the CAR ratio due to
2010 61% - 45% 52%
differences in the base level of the capital held in the various
life licences. 1
The 2010 numbers exclude Outsurance as 2010 information is not
publicly available.
MMI
MMI continued to remain close to the regulator’s Solvency Mutual & Federal
Assessment and Management (SAM) project. MMI reported Mutual & Federal’s solvency margin decreased from 52%
a capital buffer of R3.8 billion after allowing for strategic in 2011 to 47% in 2012. The ratio is expected to improve in
growth initiatives and an interim dividend. MMI will continue 2013 as Mutual & Federal’s outlook for 2013 includes the
to assess the impact of SAM on the capital buffer, but believe implementation of selective rate increases.
that the present level of capital is appropriate given the current
environment.

Outsurance
Outsurance has maintained their conservative approach in
Aggregate impact of SA QIS2 on long-term insurers
managing capital resources. Outsurance’s solvency margin
remained constant at 47% in 2012. Outsurance reported that R billion Current SA QIS2
their strategic focus is to generate underwriting returns which position
corresponds with the risk assumed in running an insurance Available Capital 122.5 200.5
operation. Capital Requirement 35.6 116.5
Free Surplus 86.9 84.0
Santam
Capital Coverage Ratio (times 3.4 1.7
Santam’s solvency margin, which has been calculated covered)
including its subordinated debt amounting to R1 billion, has
decreased to 41%. This is due to the payment of a special Source: Financial Services Board SAM SA QIS2 report
dividend in March 2012. The solvency ratio is within the
company’s target solvency range of 35% and 45%. From the table below it is apparent that the capital
requirement for short-term insurers has increased from post-
Zurich BN169 levels to the SA QIS2 capital requirement. Reasons for
the large movement in the capital requirement include: market
The 1% increase in Zurich’s solvency margin is mainly the
risk components, less diversification benefit allowed under SA
result of the reduced levels of premiums written in 2012.
QIS2, and a risk charge for participations included under SA
QIS2. Most short-term insurers have a lower free surplus under
5.3 What is the potential impact of SA QIS2 compared to that under the post-BN169 position.
Overall, the results for non-life insurers in SA QIS2 have
SAM? remained consistent with SA QIS1.
The Financial Services Board’s process of developing a
Aggregate impact of SA QIS2 on short-term insurers
new risk-based solvency regime for South African insurers
based on the developments in Europe around Solvency II is R billion Current SA QIS2
gathering pace. Solvency Assessment and Management (SAM) position
is being adapted for South African-specific circumstances. Available Capital 42.8 49.5
Interim measures for the calculation of liabilities and capital Capital Requirement 17.9 33.2
requirements for short-term insurers, as provided for in Board
Notice 169 (BN169) of 2011 has already been put into place to Free Surplus 24.9 16.3
assist the transition to SAM. Capital Coverage Ratio 2.4 1.5
The second South African Quantitative Impact Study Source: Financial Services Board SAM SA QIS2 report
(SA QIS2) marks an important milestone in the development
of the SAM framework. This is the last voluntary quantitative SA QIS 1 only studied the impact of SAM proposals on solo
impact study, with the third Quantitative Impact Study entities. SA QIS2 also evaluated the impact of the SAM
(SA QIS3) planned for 2013 being compulsory. The approach framework on the solvency position of insurance groups. As
taken to SA QIS2 is to collect information, with a quantitative with solo entities, groups generally had higher group capital
focus, to assist in the decision-making required to determine available under the SA QIS2 calculations compared to the
the final measures under the SAM framework. current capital position. The higher capital available was
generally offset by a higher group capital requirement.
There has been an increase in participation from 95 insurers in
SA QIS1 to 121 insurers in SA QIS2. This represents 98.5% of
the South African insurance industry by volume of premium.
The FSB has also received 26 insurance group submissions.
The impact of SA QIS2 for long-term insurers indicated that

the results of SA QIS2 have remained largely consistent with
SA QIS 1. The increase in their available capital is the result
of the removal of prudential margins from the valuation of
liabilities leading to lower liabilities and therefore an increase
in available capital. Although the higher available capital is
partially offset by an increase in the capital requirement, the
net effect is positive for the majority of long-term insurers.
Life insurers were most impacted by the onerous capital
requirements for the mortality catastrophe risk and mortality
risk components.
PwC 18
6. Insurance financial reporting in
‘no man’s land’
The term ‘no man’s land’ is most commonly associated with metrics and possibly changes to the amount of cash available to
the First World War to describe the area of land between two pay dividends, key areas of analyst and investor focus.
enemy trench systems to which neither side wished to move
openly or to seize due to fear of being attacked by the enemy in Given the well documented problems with the existing
the process. The current state of insurance reporting, not only insurance regulatory framework in many countries,
internationally but also in South Africa, is in a similar state. introducing greater harmonisation and better alignment of
capital requirements and risk should be a big step forward for
In this section we explore the implications of SAM on the the global insurance sector. In this respect, Solvency II and
future of insurance financial reporting. In the first section SAM may help iron out some of the inconsistencies that impact
we assess the issues that insurers are likely to grapple with current solvency reporting, and the outputs should be more
as they think through the implications of SAM on external useful as a tool to help evaluate the business than is the case
reporting. In the second section we explore how this fits with with current regulatory information.
other developments, in terms of investor focus and in relation
to IFRS 4 Phase II, which will collectively lead to a wider re- Pillar III is also going to put new and potentially more detailed
evaluation of how to judge and assess value and risk in the next information about insurers’ risk profiles and the way it is
five years. managed into the public domain. Even countries such as the
UK, where regulatory returns are already made public, will see
With no ‘one size fits all’ view, how insurers should address new disclosures that the markets will be keen to scrutinise.
these challenges will vary considerably. Considering the focus
by most insurers on Pillar I and II, compared to Pillar 3 to In an industry that currently lacks a consistent approach to
date, it is often possible to misjudge or underestimate some calculating an ‘economic’ view of the business, some insurers
of the key strategic and implementation challenges. As the believe that a new regulatory regime could help to fill the void,
timeline for the implementation of SAM draws closer, attention and for the first time enabling companies to be able to link
is increasingly being placed on the reporting requirements. performance, capital and risk metrics. These companies tend
The quantitative reporting requirements and design of the to look to SAM Pillar III reporting to bring market disclosure
regulatory turn under SAM are currently in progress. And closer into line with the measures they use to run their
while the exact timing of implementation of IFRS 4 Phase II businesses and possibly even providing a new basis for how
is uncertain, the breathing space provided by delays to IFRS 4 they judge performance. This is more likely to be the case for
Phase II provides insurers with a valuable opportunity to short-term insurers as the ways risk and capital are evaluated
plan ahead, and to put the foundations in place for a finance under SAM are conceptually not far away from how most
function which is capable of meeting these new demands and internal models work. Although few short-term insurers are
providing the insights that will give your business an edge in using internal models in South Africa, they may thus want to
the new commercial landscape. focus analyst and investor attention on these numbers and use
them as one of the bases for steering the business.
6.1 Judging the business through Making sense of the numbers

the lens of Pillar III reporting While easy to say, this will often be very difficult to achieve in
practice. In this respect, a particular challenge will be trying to
SAM will fundamentally reshape how insurers think about use a framework designed for regulatory reporting to provide
their business. For many, it will change how they evaluate and information that is useful to management (let alone investors).
communicate in relation to performance, risk and capital. But
using regulatory driven data for performance analysis brings In Europe, there have been various attempts to ensure that
with it many challenges for which proposed Pillar III reporting insurers can explain the movements in solvency capital in a
as currently proposed in Solvency II is poorly prepared. Solvency II world, be this in the form of ‘variation analysis’ or
Furthermore, for quite a few insurers, particularly in the life a ‘P&L attribution analysis’. However, this may not generate
insurance industry, SAM data may not be viewed as the right the type of information that is actually needed – essentially, a
basis for allocating capital or judging the performance of the clear view of operating and non-operating elements, and an
business as some insurers are using their own economic capital ability to determine what is really driving movements in capital
model. This is because SAM is design to value the balance sheet available at a group level.
of the insurer on an economic basis. These insurers may look
to augment SAM data with additional metrics, both internally In particular, ‘variation analysis’ may not prove particularly
and externally, but this introduces a new set of issues. And useful – this will be prepared on a solo basis only, it will not
whether management think SAM is a good approach or not, be mandatory for several years after the implementation of
this regime will introduce greater variability into capital Solvency II, and the degree of detail around the results is

hardly at the granular level of insight that will be needed to can portray an overly generous view of some business (for
understand what is actually happening in the business. example, mortality and other risks within protection business,
as well as unit-linked business), while taking a highly punitive
And while ‘P&L attribution analysis’ could be much more view of the risks within certain guaranteed savings business.
valuable, the main aim of this information is to act as a A market-consistent approach also introduces much greater
cross check against whether internal models are focusing on volatility into both capital available and capital requirements,
the key risks, not on providing insight into profit drivers to which even with ‘dampeners’ in place may exacerbate pro-
management or investors. With a lack of clarity as to how this cyclical pressures.
information should be presented combined with considerable
flexibility as to the approach adopted (for example, whether How companies adapt to these challenges will require careful
in fact to use a SAM or alternative basis for defining required thought. On the one hand, management teams will need to
capital), it is by no means certain that this will necessarily be a demonstrate that SAM data is put at the heart of the business if
step forward for the industry. they are to pass the use test, especially for those insurers who
are in the process of applying for internal model approval. On
Those insurers that might be considering to use SAM to help the other, companies will not want to adopt bases for internal
bridge the information void both internally and with investors, or external reporting that do not reflect their own view of risk
will need to be able to build from solo level to group-level and value. Insurers could look to adopt a consistent group-
analysis and to help provide clarity on the different sources wide ‘SAM’ view, but this may not be easy to do, and would
of earnings that drive results on a SAM basis, as well as how be resisted by those who believe that a market-consistent
group capital structures work in practice. economic based approach is inappropriate for their business.
For this group of insurers, one option is to focus group-wide
A further consideration is to reflect the views of investors – and capital allocation decisions and external markets on the
in particular, the very clear view in a global survey of analysts outputs from existing capital models, and to use SAM data at
PwC conducted in March 2012 that they need to be able to a local solo level, and as a means of testing compliance with
‘join the dots’ with measures that are comparable to other binding regulatory constraints.
industries. Given the ‘economic’ starting point for Solvency II/
SAM reporting, this will create new challenges – in particular, The advantage of this approach is that it can be applied on
simply providing analysts with a new raft of data on a basis a consistent basis across the business and may better reflect
that is unique to insurers is unlikely to be a successful strategy. management’s own perspectives and objectives, as well as what
is viewed as most important in creating value in the business.
What this means is that insurers will need to be able to
reconcile Pillar III disclosures with other aspects of financial However, this approach also brings numerous challenges. A
reporting andexplain the main differences, whether they relate key one is ensuring that this does not jeopardise internal model
to contract boundaries, the basis for discounting or the myriad approval. In addition, experience shows that embedding an
of other differences. From a practical perspective it will be approach for group-wide decision-making that is not fully
important to prepare the qualitative disclosure requirements aligned with local regulatory approaches, or with how local
in parallel with annual reports to allow the business to identify competitors set capital requirements or price products, is far
any divergence and be able to explain the reasons to analysts. from straightforward.
Insurers that fail to do this will find themselves sending out
mixed messages and incompatible numbers, which can only In this respect, companies can’t simply dismiss SAM and
undermine their market credibility. other approaches. They will still need to find ways to tie
these binding regulatory constraints to group level economic
When SAM may not be the right answer capital evaluations, along with those used in IFRS and rating
agency capital models. In Figure 6.1 we set out some of the
So far we have assumed that insurers are likely to welcome the considerations that companies will need to address.
SAM approach. Yet for large and complex insurance groups
with significant operations outside the remit of SAM and Figure 6.1
equivalent regimes, SAM may not be fully consistent with what Two polar positions – or a hybrid view?
management views as the main drivers of value and risk.
You develop an alternative You use local regulatory
First, regulatory capital calculations for many African capital and risk framework approaches to assessing
operations would be based on the existing local rules and not capital and risk
on the prescribed SAM basis. This is likely to be particularly • What metrics will you
use to judge capital and • What metrics will you
significant for insurers with large African operations, given
performance? use to judge capital and
the conceptual differences between the local statutory and performance?
SAM frameworks. While not relevant to solo level reporting, • What will be the
challenges in fully • How do you ensure the
the consolidated data that is likely to emerge from the SAM
embedding this within the group is steered in a
reports would feature what would in effect be both ‘apples and business? consistent way?
pears’, rendering it far less useful internally or externally as a
• Will SAM data be a • How do you link to
means with which to judge performance or to allocate capital. ‘binding constraint’, measures of value and
In this context, it is hard to see how SAM information for alongside other risk management view as
insurers operating outside of South Africa could be viewed as a regulatory/rating views? appropriate?
substitute for existing KPIs, for example. • How will you reconcile the • What do you use the
internal view with these internal model for? What
Secondly, SAM is built on a market consistent economic binding constraints? happens to EV?
approach that does not have universal appeal. While it is true
• How do you persuade the • How do you rationalise
that some insurers may view this as the most appropriate market that this is a ‘real’ this to the outside world?
benchmark of economic value in an insurance business, there measure?
are many who believe that market consistent information
PwC 20
Break on capital flexibility Unwelcome surprises
Whether or not companies view SAM or alternative versions Working out the implications of these reporting changes for
such as internal economic capital models as the best proxy for your business and how to address them is going to take many
economic value in the business, it will be local solvency rules months and a considerable amount of high level input. Given
and rating requirements that are likely to be the decisive factor that insurers already often struggle to communicate effectively
in calculating how much cash is available to be reinvested in with investors, it is crucial that you get on top of the disclosure
the business, or is legally available to pay dividends or fund challenges well in advance. Leaving them until it is too late
possible share buy-backs. could leave you open to unwelcome surprises, create an
unfavourable impression in comparisonwith your competitors
Once again, market movements come into play here as there and put you on the back foot when competing for investment.
may be more volatility in available capital than under the In this respect, we think there is a slight risk of seeing SAM as
existing regulatory capital regimes. Today’s point estimates are the answer to some current problems when in actual fact this
therefore likely to be redundant and will need to give way to may present you with a whole new set of challenges.
dynamic analysis under a comprehensive range of scenarios.
With the 1 January 2015 SAM effective date looming, insurers
Next steps should see the next two years as an opportunity to focus on
remaining technical challenges and practical implementation.
The first key step is to determine whether the SAM numbers
It’s important to bear in mind that shareholders reward good
are going to be an important performance driver in allocating
performance and potential rather than good models. In other
capital across the group or will be viewed more from a
words, our message is to plan ahead to address these key areas,
compliance perspective. If SAM numbers will be the core basis
and not leave this until it is too late.
for decision-making and performance management, then your
Pillar III disclosures are clearly going to be a vital part of how
management and investors will assess your strategy and track 6.2 How this links into the future of
progress against objectives. But you will need to think through
how to make information intended to be used for regulatory
insurance reporting
reporting genuinely insightful for you in performance
The previous section explored some of the immediate investor
reporting, and how to tie this together with other perspectives
relations and communication challenges created by the move
of your business (bearing in mind that there is resolutely no
to SAM. In this section we examine how this might influence
‘one view’ that can tell you everything you need to know).
longer term changes in insurance reporting and how we
A particular area of focus should be on how to make P&L
believe these will take shape.
attribution analysis useful to you as a business tool.
In particular, given investors continued frustrations with how
For those who have less appetite for using SAM as a basis for
insurers communicate on value, performance and risk, the
valuation, capital allocation and performance management at
combination of Pillar III reporting and potential IFRS 4 phase
a group level, a further decision needs to be made as to how
II present the opportunity for a broader rethink of insurance
to build and embed a more coherent approach without this
reporting and disclosure aimed at communicating the strength
leading to regulators questioning compliance with the ‘use test’
and potential of the business in a more understandable,
if the internal model route is being considered; alternatively,
accessible and, ultimately, value-enhancing way. Further
these insurers may decide to manage the group using local
opportunities to cut through the complexity of reporting are
regulatory bases.
going to come from the market push for more straightforward
Whichever approach is adopted, there will be a raft of and comprehensible products.
additional challenges; for example, for those looking to design
So what could this new reporting framework look like and how
an alternative to SAM, how to embed a metric in your business
can it benefit your business?
that may not actually be a binding constraint – as well as to
have clear links to what will actually drive your ‘real-world’ The gap between what analysts and investors want from
capital flexibility. reporting and what they actually receive from many insurers
has long been a cause for concern.
Clearly, clarity on the final direction of SAM will be needed
before insurers can fully engage with this issue. But there The markets want a clear indication of how insurers make
are steps that are very relevant now. For example, insurers money, both now and how they intend to in the future
still need to think through the consequences of SAM for their (underwriting, fees or investment returns) and how these
business, and to start to plan ahead for future reporting – funds would translate into ‘real’ distributable cash. To be
for example, where will EV data fit in? And can we use this credible and informative, these metrics need to be consistently
information to address investor concerns around the business, prepared (across years and between companies) and actually
and around reporting more specifically? be used within the insurer itself.
Once there is more certainty over the final shape of SAM, In most analysts’ view, what they currently get, particularly
companies will need to ask how financially stable the business with respect to the life insurance industry, could be
will look under the qualitative public disclosures? How does improved. There are essentially two main issues to overcome:
this compare to your competitors? How does it square with the comprehensibility and comparability. Our research globally has
measures used by analysts and investors to rate performance? consistently highlighted market concerns over what analysts
and investors believe are disjointed and opaque insurance
It is also important to look at how the changes to your
financial statements, creating various numbers that are
reporting support your ‘equity story’. This includes explaining
difficult to comprehend and compare against other sectors
to analysts and investors the extent to which SAM legislation
and which often fail to tell them what is actually happening
is likely to change the KPIs you use to run the business and
within the insurer. Comparability is compromised by material
how your strategic objectives accord with your regulatory
inconsistencies in approach in relation to almost all aspects
requirements.

of reporting. The numbers are produced on a different basis • Does the company have sufficient capital? This may seem
from insurer to insurer and might not even correspond with like a straightforward question but the myriad of different
the measures that are being used to run the business. We views of capital and frequent company confusion mean that
highlighted the different supplementary profit measures used a clear answer can often be lacking.
by South African insurers last year.
We are not suggesting that these are the only issues, and
At a time when competition for capital has rarely been more clearly there are numerous other considerations that are of
intense, the difficulties in understanding the strategic direction equal importance to management and investors. However,
and value potential within insurance businesses mean that it is not a stretch to understand how SAM and IFRS could be
they may lose investment to industries that offer seemingly used to try and address these questions, and to deliver a far
more transparent and easily discernible opportunities. Equally, more coherent approach to internal and external analysis than
policyholders want products that are easy to understand the patchwork of disjointed metrics that tend to represent the
and compare. We have already seen the rapid rise of price reporting dashboard of many insurers in today’s environment.
comparison sites for many forms of insurance.
For example, using scenario analysis built around SAM data
As a lot of the complexity is stripped out of product design, would go a long way towards giving analysts the prospective
it should be possible to cut out some of the corresponding information on cash generation they are looking for and
complexity in reporting to create solvency statements that all helping them to track the most important risk and value
stakeholders can understand. For example, simpler products drivers that influence this. As a result, solvency statements will
are likely to require less sophisticated investments, which will provide a more balanced evaluation of risk and reward and the
make risk evaluation more straightforward and the resulting strategies that underpin this. The information would ideally be
reports and disclosures more concise and comprehensible. available in an accessible and concise format.
A new framework Industry investment in new technology could support these

developments by speeding up the supply of key information.
As we have highlighted in the previous section, the way To manage their businesses, management would then have
insurers approach SAM is going to vary. Some will be looking online access to value creation and risk information through
at it as a binding capital constraint, while others will want to dashboards. Once the link between SAM and IFRS is bedded
place greater emphasis on the evaluations within management down, we may also see the emergence of a core suite of metrics
information and external reporting. Differences in regulatory to manage and communicate the performance of the business
frameworks could act as a further constraint on comparability, on a consistent basis.
as quite a number of the African operations of South African
groups could be measured on a different basis. Given these Of course, unanswered questions remain as to how far the
factors and the continued drive by the South African industry African markets will go along with approaches often built from
to expand their African operations, a possible view that SAM a market-consistent approach; in this respect, multi-national
could represent a fresh start for the industry from a reporting insurance groups are likely to have to continue to grapple with
perspective may be rather naive. multiple reporting approaches for many years to come. A
further consideration is the complexity of the SAM and IFRS
However, when put in the context of the far-reaching changes 4 Phase II reporting, which could just as easily make current
to financial reporting likely represented by IFRS 4 Phase II, the confusion even worse if not handled properly. However, there
insurance industry is going to have to rethink how it judges is a clear prize here for the insurers who get this right – and
all aspects of performance over the next decade, and it would focus beyond technical considerations to make the outputs of
clearly be a wasted opportunity if this was not used to fix some the significant investment in reporting useful and insightful.
of the problems highlighted above.
Presenting a clearer, more concise and more compelling
From this perspective, as well as focusing on the technical approach to reporting would remove much of the ‘mystery’
challenges of these new standards, insurers need to think from insurance disclosure and help companies to compete
about how they use SAM and IFRS 4 Phase II data to answer for investment on a more favourable basis with other sectors,
the key questions that are relevant to management of the while being more transparent to shareholders, policy-holders
business and to what investors need to know. and other external stakeholders.
In our global investor survey earlier this year, analysts told us
that insurance reporting consistently failed to answer some of
the following points:
• How do insurers make money? Here, existing reporting

often provides only the most tangential clues as to what
drives profits, whether on an IFRS or embedded value basis.
• How do we know that the reinvestment in the business

is of good quality? Investors are increasingly sceptical as
to whether new business profits are really achieved, and
whether published internal rate of returns or payback
periods really match reality.
• How do insurance earnings turn into distributable cash?

While there have been attempts by several insurers to try
and answer this question, the outputs are often not robust
or linked to the ‘real world’.
PwC 22
7. Key industry statistics
7.1 Long-term insurers
R’millions Discovery Change Liberty Change MMI Change Old Mutual (Emerging Change Sanlam Change Combined Change
Markets)
2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 %
Group consolidated IFRS earnings
Total 2,681 2,675 1,744 0% 3,780 2,736 2,302 38% 3,069 1,454 1,948 111% 5,100 7,496 4,535 -32% 5,760 5,601 5,115 3% 20,390 19,962 2%
comprehensive
income
attributable to
equity holders
Equity attributable 12,882 10,844 9,168 19% 15,410 13,211 11,716 17% 23,066 22,311 22,572 3% 21,839 26,929 18,987 -19% 36,919 33,822 31,778 9% 110,116 107,117 3%
to equity holders
of parent
Return on average 23% 27% 21% 26% 22% 21% 14% 6% 9% 21% 33% 24% 16% 17% 17% 19% 20% -5%
equity
Group consolidated embedded value
Group embedded 33,413 28,416 24,074 17.6% 32,740 28,639 26,030 14.3% 33,453 30,811 31,118 8.6% 45,386 39,778 34,058 14.1% 75,352 63,521 57,361 19% 220,344 191,165 15%
value
Group embedded 5,667 4,827 3,557 17.4% 5,886 3,981 3,223 47.9% 5,493 1,659 n/a 231.1% 7,585 5,517 5,779 37.5% 14,310 9,405 9,322 52% 38,941 25,389 53%
value profit /
(losses)
Return on group 19.9% 20.1% 17.0% 20.8% 15.3% 13.4% 17.8% 5.3% n/a 10.7% 11.9% 13.2% 22.5% 16.4% 18.3% 18.9% 14.0% 36%
embedded value
Embedded value of South African new business
Present value of 14,040 14,440 14,318 -3% 33,510 28,329 22,498 18% 32,646 36,038 40,054 -9% 40,661 35,755 32,165 14% 27,321 23,353 20,287 17% 148,178 137,915 7%
new business
premiums
(PVNBP)
Embedded value 904 1,047 840 -14% 660 389 252 70% 601 541 570 11% 1,590 1,021 814 56% 939 701 507 34% 4,694 3,699 27%
of new business
(VNB)
Value of new 6.4% 7.3% 5.9% -11% 2.0% 1.4% 1.1% 43% 1.8% 1.5% 1.4% 23% 3.9% 2.9% 2.5% 34% 3.4% 3.0% 2.5% 15% 3.2% 2.7% 19%
business margin
Average payback 7.7 8.2 8.4 -6% 5.7 5.6 5.3 1% 7.3 7.3 7.5 0% 6.7 6.6 6.6 2% 5.2 5.0 4.6 4% 6.3 6.3
period (years)
Cost management
Acquisition costs 1,796 1,547 1,555 16% 3,397 2,890 2,652 18% 2,554 2,784 2,421 -8% 3,031 2,596 2,477 17% 2,057 1,968 1,824 5% 12,835 11,785 9%
General marketing 1,499 1,306 1,224 15% 4,769 4,364 4,141 9% 3,603 3,588 3,462 0% 13,869 12,525 10,643 11% 3,328 3,175 2,941 5% 27,068 24,958 8%
and administration
expenses
Annualised 1,831 1,767 1,700 4% 5,917 5,041 4,259 17% 4,474 4,937 5,371 -9% 6,066 5,456 4,862 11% 5,290 4,695 4,424 13% 23,579 21,896 8%
Premium
Equivalent (APE)
PwC 24
R’millions Discovery Change Liberty Change MMI Change Old Mutual (Emerging Change Sanlam Change Combined Change
Markets)
2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 2010 % 2012 2011 %
Investment performance
Invested assets 28,323 19,377 13,378 46% 282,394 243,580 228,169 16% 315,334 269,660 263,665 17% 472,518 410,285 393,097 15% 394,361 340,589 322,279 16% 1,492,930 1,283,491 16%
Investments 26,600 16,799 11,482 58% 276,067 236,916 222,311 17% 294,001 253,133 244,890 16% 461,281 406,027 381,367 14% 379,409 326,212 310,091 16% 1,437,358 1,239,087 16%
Cash and cash 1,723 2,578 1,896 -33% 6,327 6,664 5,858 -5% 21,333 16,527 18,775 29% 11,236 4,258 11,729 164% 14,952 14,377 12,188 4% 55,571 44,404 25%
equivalents
Income on 2,632 469 918 461% 42,897 19,227 26,200 123% 43,006 19,526 27,365 120% 68,237 29,426 46,066 132% 54,840 19,446 37,175 182% 211,612 88,094 140%
invested assets
Return on average 11.0% 2.9% 8.2% 284% 16.3% 8.2% 12.0% 100% 14.7% 7.3% n/a 101% 15.5% 7.3% 12.3% 14.9% 5.9% 11.9% 15.2% 7.0%
invested assets
Adjusted net 3,628 3,088 2,329 17% 15,701 13,636 12,481 15% 13,188 12,981 n/a 2% 25,034 22,206 18,545 13% 14,946 14,553 14,033 3% 72,497 53,483 36%
worth per
embedded value
report
Income on 315 111 117 184% 1,168 536 594 118% 1,172 n/a n/a 2,355 1,048 1,742 125% 1,720 855 1,415 101% 6,730 2,550 164%
adjusted net
worth
Return on average 9.4% 4.1% 4.1% 8.0% 4.1% 4.9% 9.0% n/a n/a 10.0% 5.1% 10.2% 11.7% 6.0% 10.0% 10.7% 5.1%
adjusted net
worth
Capital and solvency
Capital adequacy 3.9 4.4 3.9 -11% 2.7 2.9 2.7 -6% 2.4 2.3 2.5 4% 3.9 4.0 3.9 -3% 4.3 3.7 3.4 16%
requirement cover

7.2 Short-term insurers
R’millions Absa Mutual & Federal Outsurance Santam Zurich Combined Change
2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 %
Revenue
Gross written 4,340 3,911 3,466 9,706 8,865 8,442 7,628 6,479 n/a 19,386 17,707 15,855 3,767 3,890 4,632 44,826 40,852 10%
premiums
Movement 4 -230 88 -339 -295 -208 -451 -190 n/a -323 -241 65 7 80 74 -1,101 -876 26%
in Unearned
premium liability
Outward -1,280 -819 -609 -1,991 -1,735 -1,583 -183 -84 n/a -3,564 -3,033 -2,336 -828 -912 -979 -7,846 -6,583 19%
reinsurance
Movement in 44 97 -60 - - - - - n/a 127 219 -34 -11 -56 -13 160 260 -39%
reinsurance
unearned
premiums
Net earned 3,108 2,959 2,885 7,377 6,835 6,650 6,994 6,205 n/a 15,626 14,652 13,550 2,934 3,002 3,714 36,039 33,653 7%
premiums
Fee and - - - 338 396 317 - - n/a 516 321 236 146 163 169 1,001 880 14%
commission
income
Expenses
Claims and -2,138 -1,981 -1,977 -6,310 -4,914 -4,931 -3,719 -3,112 n/a -12,167 -10,788 -9,531 -2,928 -2,152 -3,506 -27,262 -22,947 19%
benefits
Reinsurance - - - 950 477 656 187 70 n/a 1,488 1,384 848 725 174 929 3,349 2,105 59%
recoveries
Acquisition costs -468 -455 -448 -1,392 -1,269 -1,233 -69 -100 n/a -2,540 -2,324 -2,311 -586 -624 -748 -5,055 -4,772 6%
Operating and -344 -320 -309 -1,067 -1,106 -939 -2,037 -1,669 n/a -2,349 -2,114 -1,648 -608 -579 -692 -6,405 -5,788 11%
administrative
expenses
Key ratios
Claims ratio 68.8% 66.9% 68.5% 72.7% 64.9% 64.3% 50.5% 49.0% n/a 68.3% 64.2% 64.1% 75.1% 65.9% 69.4% 66.4% 61.9% 7%
Acquisition cost 15.0% 15.4% 15.5% 14.3% 12.8% 13.8% 1.0% 1.6% n/a 13.0% 13.7% 15.3% 15.0% 15.3% 15.6% 11.3% 11.6% -3%
ratio
Expense ratio 11.1% 10.8% 10.8% 14.4% 16.2% 14.1% 29.1% 26.9% n/a 15.0% 14.4% 12.2% 20.7% 19.3% 18.6% 17.8% 17.2% 3%
Combined ratio 94.9% 93.1% 94.8% 101.4% 93.9% 92.2% 80.6% 77.5% n/a 96.3% 92.3% 91.6% 110.8% 100.5% 103.6% 95.4% 90.7% 5%
Underwriting 5.1% 6.9% 5.2% -1.4% 6.1% 7.8% 19.4% 22.5% n/a 3.7% 7.7% 8.4% -10.8% -0.5% -3.6% 4.6% 9.3% -50%
margin
PwC 26
R’millions Absa Mutual & Federal Outsurance Santam Zurich Combined Change
2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 %
Investment performance
Invested assets n/a n/a n/a 6,968 6,647 7,032 5,256 5,470 4,628 13,902 13,390 12,906 2,876 3,123 3,144 29,001 28,630 1%
Investments n/a n/a n/a 5,467 5,227 5,685 3,553 4,053 3,110 11,431 11,792 11,763 2,264 2,142 2,071 22,715 23,213 -2%
Cash and cash n/a n/a n/a 1,501 1,420 1,347 1,703 1,418 1,518 2,471 1,598 1,143 612 982 1,072 6,287 5,417 16%
equivalents
Income on n/a n/a n/a 403 303 554 325 327 n/a 1,339 865 1,170 364 246 335 2,431 1,741 40%
invested assets
Return on average n/a n/a n/a 5.9% 4.4% 8.5% 6.1% 6.5% n/a 9.8% 6.6% 9.3% 12.1% 7.8% 11.0% 8.4% 6.2% 37%
invested assets
International solency margin
Equity attributable n/a n/a n/a 3,594 3,694 4,205 3,527 3,571 2,689 5,509 6,036 5,126 2,020 2,015 1,884 14,649 15,315 -4%
to equity holders
of parent
Total n/a n/a n/a 143 408 701 1,510 1,212 n/a 1,050 1,484 1,690 41 143 225 2,744 3,247 -15%
comprehensive
income
attributable to
equity holders
Return on average n/a n/a n/a 4% 10% 19% 43% 37% n/a 18% 27% 35% 2% 7% 13% 18% 24% -25%
equity
International n/a n/a n/a 47% 52% 61% 47% 47% n/a 41% 48% 45% 69% 68% 52% 43% 49% -12%
solency margin

8. Basis of information provided
The primary focus of this publication is to consider the results • The financial information for ABSA Insurance represents
of the South African insurance business of the companies listed the Short-term insurance segment included in the Absa
above for the calendar year ended 31 December 2012. Where Financial Services segment report and excludes the Life
companies have 30 June year-ends, the financial information insurance, Investments, Fiduciary services and Other
has been reconstituted to reflect the calendar year ended 31 segments, which do not represent short-term insurance
December where possible. operations. Segmented balance sheet information is not
available for ABSA Insurance, therefore the following
• Although we endeavour to provide at least three years ratio’s were excluded from the analysis as it could not be
of information, some information for 2010 was not calculated, namely return on invested assets, return on
available as a result of the following:MMI Holdings was equity and solvency ratio.
formed in December 2010 with the merger of Momentum
Group Limited and Metropolitan Holdings Limited and • Outsurance changed its accounting policy governing non-
consolidated group information is not available for the claims bonuses. The 2011 insurance contract liabilities and
combined group prior to 30 June 2010. We have assumed claims expense has been restated to reflect the change in
for the purpose of comparative 2010 information that accounting policy.
annual results for the year ended 30 June 2010 was earned • The return on average invested assets has been calculated
on a straight-line basis throughout the financial year. As from the information provided by the insurers as follows:
such, we have included half of this annual result to derive income on invested assets divided by the average total
comparative information for 2010. invested assets.
• The Sanlam employee benefit business is included in the • The return on average adjusted net worth has been
Sanlam Investment segment and has not been included in calculated from the information provided by the insurers
this publication. The results in this publication consider the as follows: income on adjusted net worth divided by the
Sanlam Personal Finance segment, unless otherwise stated. average adjusted net worth.
• 2011 was the first reporting period for which detailed • The following companies are included in ASISA’s ‘large
financial information was available for Outsurance as offices’ category, namely Liberty Group Ltd (including
it is now a subsidiary of RMI Holdings Ltd. Previously Capital Alliance Life Ltd), Metropolitan Life Ltd, Momentum
only limited information was available and as a result, Group Ltd, Old Mutual Life Assurance Co (SA) Ltd (OMSA)
comparative information for 2010 has not been presented. and Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd.
Other pertinent matters to note on the information presented: • Where companies have classified some of their financial
assets as “available for sale financial assets”, the fair value
• Information for Old Mutual relates to the Emerging Market
gains and losses recognised in Other Comprehensive
Segment, which primarily includes Old Mutual South
Income have been reclassified in the income statement for
Africa, but also developing markets in Asia and Latin
companies to be comparable with their peers.
America (for which separate information is not available).
The embedded value of new business information included • The International solvency margin has been calculated
in this publication relates to South African business only. from the information provided by the short-term insurers
Old Mutual is the only company in this publication that as follows: shareholders equity divided by gross written
follows the Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV) premium net of reinsurance. The only exception is Santam
principles as published by the European CFO Forum. The where they include their long-term debt as part of share
other companies apply the principles set out in APN 107 capital for the purposes of this calculation.
“Embedded value reporting” as published by the Actuarial
Society of South Africa.
• Return on average equity has been calculated as total
comprehensive income attributable to the equity holders
of the parent divided by the average shareholders equity
(opening equity plus closing equity divided by two).
• The embedded value information for Discovery represents
the Discovery Life and Invest segments and excludes the
Health, Vitality, PruHealth and PruProtect segments, which
do not represent South African life insurance operations.
PwC 28
9. Contacts
Dewald van den Berg

Insurance Technical Partner Other contributors
+27 11 797 5828
[email protected]
Yolindi de Wet
Insurance Technical Manager
Susan de Klerk
Insurance Knowledge Manager
Victor Muguto
Long-term Insurance Leader (Africa)
+27 11 797 5372
[email protected]
Ilse French
Short-term Insurance Leader (Africa)
+27 11 797 4094
[email protected]
Tom Winterboer
Financial Services Leader (Africa)
+27 11 797 5407
[email protected]
PwC 30
© 2013. PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. All rights reserved.
“PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to the network of member firms of
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate
and independent legal entity. PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc is an authorised
financial services provider. (13-12768)

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Insurance Industry Analysis March 2013

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Analysis of major South African insurers’

results for the year ended 31 December 2012

100 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

1. Overview of insurance industry results 1

Group return on average equity of 19%

Group embedded value profits up by 53%

Value of new business written up by 27%

Margin on new business improves to 3.2%

1 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

3 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

Although long-term insurers may benefit to some extent

The Rand weakened to its weakest levels against the dollar in a

The sovereign debt downgrade in 2012 also impacted

IFRS earnings Embedded value

5 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

Value of new business (R millions)

in volume, the value of new business decreased by 14% to

2.5% in business mix (more towards investment business that

Acquisition costs (R millions)

Acquisition cost to APE ratio

Acquisition costs incurred by the South African businesses

Premiums vs expenses Large offices: Expenses vs CPI

Large offices: % admin % CPI index

ASISA All offices: ASISA large offices:

Figure 2.6 is interesting. It reflects that up to the end of 2009,

9 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

Gross written premiums

Santam posted a 9% increase in GWP to R19.4 billion,

30,000 6% gaining some market share with industry premiums reflecting

Zurich GWP Combine underwriting

Source: PwC Analysis

Gross written premiums (GWP) increased by 10% during

40% • Santam indicated that they had incurred R475 million

to the St Francis Bay fire claims (amounting to R24 million

Underwriting margin • Outsurance experienced its most severe weather-related

11 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

The MiWay business incurred an underwriting loss R37 million

JSE All Share Index

JSE ALSI JSE ALSI Average

Source: McGregor BFA

13 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

All Bond Index yield

Source: McGregor BFA

4.2 Industry investment performance

Sanlam’s invested assets grew by 15.8% from R340.6 billion in

15 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

8% When predicting what the market will do in 2013, all insurers

Source: PwC analysis

17 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

The impact of SA QIS2 for long-term insurers indicated that

6.1 Judging the business through Making sense of the numbers

19 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

21 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

A new framework Industry investment in new technology could support these

• How do insurers make money? Here, existing reporting

• How do we know that the reinvestment in the business

• How do insurance earnings turn into distributable cash?

25 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave

27 Insurance industry analysis – Fortune favours the brave