How to Calculate and Interpret the Combined Ratio: A Key Metric for Insurance Company Profitability

What is the Combined Ratio?

The combined ratio is a fundamental metric used to assess the performance of insurance companies, particularly those in the property-casualty segment. It measures the money flowing out of an insurance company in the form of losses, expenses, and dividends. Essentially, it provides a snapshot of how well an insurer is managing its underwriting activities.

The combined ratio serves as a benchmark to evaluate whether an insurance company is profitable from its core operations. It is widely used because it encapsulates both the cost of claims (incurred losses) and operational expenses (underwriting expenses), giving a comprehensive view of an insurer’s efficiency.

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How to Calculate the Combined Ratio

Calculating the combined ratio involves a straightforward formula:

Combined Ratio = (Incurred Losses + Expenses) / Earned Premium

There are two primary methods to calculate this ratio:

Financial Basis

On a financial basis, you divide the sum of incurred losses and underwriting expenses by earned premiums. This method provides a clear picture of how much of the premium income is being consumed by losses and operational costs.

Trade Basis

On a trade basis, you sum the underwriting loss ratio and the expense ratio. The underwriting loss ratio is calculated using earned premiums, while the expense ratio uses net written premiums. This approach gives a more detailed breakdown but ultimately leads to the same combined ratio value.

Let’s consider an example with Insurance Company ZYX:

• Incurred Losses: $100 million

• Underwriting Expenses: $30 million

• Earned Premiums: $150 million

Using the financial basis:

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Combined Ratio = ($100 million + $30 million) / $150 million = 130%

This example illustrates how easy it is to compute this critical metric.

Components of the Combined Ratio

The combined ratio consists of two main components:

Incurred Losses

Incurred losses include claims paid out by the insurer as well as any associated loss adjustment expenses. These are direct costs related to the core business of providing insurance coverage.

Expenses

Expenses encompass all underwriting expenses, such as commissions paid to agents, salaries of underwriters, and other overhead costs. These expenses are crucial for running the day-to-day operations of an insurance company.

Understanding these components is vital because they directly impact the overall combined ratio. For instance, if incurred losses are high due to a natural disaster, it could significantly increase the combined ratio.

Interpreting the Combined Ratio

Interpreting the combined ratio is straightforward but insightful:

• Below 100%: Indicates that the insurance company is profitable from its underwriting activities alone.

• Equal to 100%: Means that the company is breaking even on its underwriting operations.

• Above 100%: Suggests that the company is incurring losses from its core operations, although it might still be profitable if investment income compensates for these losses.

For example, APY Insurance Company has a combined ratio of 95%. This indicates that APY is profitable from its underwriting activities but not by a wide margin.

Importance and Limitations of the Combined Ratio

The combined ratio is important for several stakeholders:

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  Investors: It helps them assess whether an insurer is generating profits from its core business.

• Analysts: It provides a benchmark to compare different insurance companies.

• Consumers: It can indicate whether an insurer has sufficient financial stability to pay claims.

However, there are limitations:

• The combined ratio does not account for investment income, which can significantly impact overall profitability.

• Management might manipulate certain figures to improve the ratio temporarily.

Despite these limitations, the combined ratio remains a powerful tool for evaluating insurance company performance.

Improving the Combined Ratio

Improving the combined ratio involves several strategies:

• Supporting Underwriters: Providing better tools and training can enhance underwriting accuracy.

• Improving Claim Processing Efficiency: Streamlining claim processing reduces administrative costs and speeds up payouts.

• Reducing Acquisition and Administrative Costs: Lowering commissions and overheads can significantly reduce expenses.

Industry benchmarks suggest that an acceptable combined ratio typically falls between 75% and 90%. Achieving this range indicates efficient operations and strong financial health.

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