Quiet wind season helps along an improved combined operating ratio

Amlin has already made a 12.8% return on the €350m (£316m) it paid for Fortis Corporate Insurance from the Dutch government.

The Lloyd’s insurer, which bought the business in June last year and rebranded it Amlin Corporate Insurance, posted a profit before tax of £509.1m in 2009, up from £121.6m in 2008.

The results were padded out by £174.1m in reserve releases, however. Combined operating ratio improved from 76% to 72%, with underwriters enjoying a quiet wind season.

Chief executive Charles Philipps said: “Once again, the group’s financial performance in 2009 was excellent, reflecting the quality of our underwriting businesses and a recovery in investment markets. We also made significant progress strategically, most notably with the acquisition of the Fortis Group’s commercial insurance operations in the Benelux countries.”

Insurance Times Fantasy Football

Topics