Definition
Net premiums written refers to the total premiums that an insurance company has underwritten or has committed to provide coverage for, after accounting for reinsurance or other deductions. It represents the revenue an insurance company expects to receive from premiums. The figure is used to assess the company’s growth and profitability.
Phonetic
The phonetics of the keyword “Net Premiums Written” are: Net: /nɛt/Premiums: /ˈpriːmiəmz/Written: /ˈrɪtn/
Key Takeaways
Net Premiums Written refers to the total amount of premiums that an insurance company can consider as revenue. These premiums are directly associated with the policies that the insurance company underwrites. Here are the three main takeaways:
- Measurement of growth: Net Premiums Written is a significant measure of an insurance company’s growth. If there’s an increase in Net Premiums Written over a period, it’s an indicator that the insurance company is growing.
- Risk Assessment: The value of Net Premiums Written also provides an indication of the level of risk an insurance company is willing to undertake. Higher Net Premiums can represent higher levels of assumed risk.
- Profitability: Net Premiums Written is a key determinant of an insurance company’s profitability. If the Net Premiums Written exceed the amount of claims made by policyholders, the insurance company could realise a profit. However, if the claims surpass the Net Premiums Written, the company might face a loss.
Importance
Net Premiums Written refers to the total premiums that an insurance company has underwritten, or committed to covering, minus the premiums it has ceded or passed on to reinsurance. This indicator is an important measure of an insurance company’s growth and profitability. When a company writes a high amount of premiums, it means that it is taking on more risk by insuring more policies. If these premiums are effectively managed, they can lead to greater revenue and profit for the company. On the other hand, ceding too many premiums to reinsurers might indicate that the insurer is not retaining enough risk, which may affect its profitability. Therefore, monitoring Net Premiums Written gives a snapshot of an insurer’s risk appetite, operational scale, and potential earnings.
Explanation
Net premiums written is a key metric in the insurance industry, used to indicate a company’s growth, financial stability, and the ability to cover potential losses. These premiums refer to the total amount of premiums collected by an insurer from its customers in a given period, which typically could be a quarter or a year, minus the premiums that are ceded to reinsurance. It is regarded as the company’s actual underwriting revenue and demonstrates the firm’s appetite for new business and growth. The higher the net premiums written, the more substantial the influx of new business or the retention of existing business.Furthermore, net premiums written allows parties such as investors, industry analysts, and the insurers themselves to gauge the company’s potential loss exposures and to decide whether it has the financial muscle to handle claims. The premiums collected by insurance companies are usually invested in financial markets to generate interest income, thus forming a crucial part of the company’s income. Therefore, the ability to retain a higher amount in net premiums written allows the firm to inflate its revenue and further solidify its financial strength. Measurement of this metric over time also helps insurers to strategize their growth plans and manage risks.
Examples
1. Health Insurance Company: A health insurance company like Blue Cross Blue Shield might calculate their net premiums written by subtracting any premiums that have been cancelled or returned from the total amount of insurance premiums they’ve written for health coverage during a specific period. They use this number to measure the total amount of new policies they’re responsible for and the revenues expected.2. Auto Insurance Company: Progressive, an auto insurance company, for instance, calculates net premiums written by adding up all their premium revenues from policies sold during the year, then subtracts any premiums that were surrendered, cancelled or expired. This gives them a clear picture of their net revenue intake from the sale of auto policies for that year.3. Home Insurance Company: If we consider State Farm, a homeowner’s insurance provider, it calculates net premiums written by collecting all premiums from policies written during a specific period, then subtracts premiums returned for cancelled policies and any rebates given. This provides a measure of the total risk that they have underwritten, as well as expected revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What is Net Premiums Written?
Net premiums written refers to the total amount of premiums generated from all policies (both new and existing) written by an insurance company within a specified period, minus the premiums returned to policyholders during the same period due to policy cancellations.
How are Net Premiums Written calculated?
It is calculated as the total amount of direct and assumed premiums written minus the premiums ceded (handed over) to reinsurance companies.
Why is Net Premiums Written an important figure in the insurance industry?
It represents both the growth potential and exposure to risk for an insurance company. More net premiums written indicate more business and profits, but also more potential claims they need to pay.
What is the difference between Net Premiums Written and Gross Premiums Written?
Gross premiums written include all the premiums on policies issued by an insurance company. Net premiums written, on the other hand, are the part kept by the company after ceding some portion to reinsurers.
How does the Net Premiums Written affect the profitability of an insurance company?
High net premiums written can lead to increased profitability, provided the company can efficiently manage its claim payments and other expenses. It indicates the company’s potential revenue from premiums.
Is Net Premiums Written a good indicator of an insurance company’s market share?
Yes, comparing the net premiums written by different insurance companies can provide insights into each company’s market share and show how competitive they are in their industry.
Can Net Premiums Written predict future losses?
No, net premiums written only represent potential income for the insurance company. They cannot accurately predict future losses or payouts since those depend on different factors, like change in risk landscape, policy terms, etc. However, higher net premiums written mean more coverage provided, which could mean more potential future claims.
Related Finance Terms
- Underwriting: The process whereby an insurance provider evaluates the risks involved in insuring a specific individual, property, or business.
- Policyholder: A person who owns an insurance policy. They pay the premiums, and in turn, they get coverage from the insurance company.
- Gross Premiums Written: The total amount of premium written by an insurance company over a period without making any adjustments for ceded reinsurance.
- Ceded Premiums: The portion of the premiums received by an insurance company which is passed on to a reinsurer in return for part of the risk.
- Earned Premium: The portion of a policyholder’s prepaid premium that an insurer has earned by providing coverage for a specified period.
