The Insurance Authority released provisional statistics for Hong Kong's insurance industry in the first quarter of 2019, with gross premiums totalling $148.8 billion during the period, up 12.3% from the same period last year. Premium income from long-term in-force business was $132.2 billion, up 13%, while gross premiums for general insurance were $16.6 billion, up 7%, and overall underwriting swung from a loss of $166 million to a profit of $44 million. Premiums from new policies taken out by mainland visitors were $12.8 billion, up 7.9%, accounting for 26.4% of total new policy premiums for individual business.
Why read this: Gross premiums totalled $148.8 billion in the first quarter, up 12.3% year on year, with breakdown figures for long-term, general insurance and new policies from mainland visitors listed for readers to check item by item.
The Insurance Authority will replace three self-regulatory organisations from 23 September 2019 and comprehensively regulate insurance intermediaries in Hong Kong, including licensing approval, inspections and investigations, and disciplinary sanctions. Two sets of rules are planned to take effect on the same day, subject to the progress of scrutiny by the Legislative Council. Intermediaries with valid registrations immediately before the effective date will be treated as licensed persons for three years; unresolved cases will be handled under the pre-handover rules, and new requirements will not apply retrospectively.
Why read this: The announcement sets out transitional arrangements: insurance intermediaries registered with the three self-regulatory organisations will be treated as licensed persons for three years, allowing readers to check whether they are affected.
The Insurance Authority welcomes the proposed measures concerning the insurance sector in the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, announced by the State Council on 18 February 2019, including promoting cross-boundary renminbi reinsurance business, supporting the joint development of cross-boundary motor and healthcare insurance products, exploring the establishment of an international marine insurance product trading platform, and facilitating cross-boundary underwriting, survey and claims handling. Chairman Dr Joseph Chan said the measures could deepen cooperation among the insurance sectors of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and that the Insurance Authority would communicate and discuss implementation with mainland ministries, commissions and the industry.
Why read this: This press release sets out a number of proposed measures for the insurance sector under the Outline Plan, and explains that the Insurance Authority will discuss implementation arrangements with mainland ministries and commissions, allowing readers to grasp the policy direction.
The Insurance Authority released provisional statistics for Hong Kong's insurance industry in the first three quarters of 2018, with total gross premiums reaching $388.3 billion, up 6.9% year on year. New policy premiums from mainland visitors were $34.1 billion, down 15.8%, accounting for 28.3% of total new policy premiums for individual business. Gross premiums for general insurance were $40.5 billion, up 7.1%, while underwriting swung from a loss of $193 million to a profit of $87 million.
Why read this: The article lists specific figures for gross premiums in the first three quarters, long-term business and new premiums from mainland visitors, along with year-on-year changes, allowing verification of overall growth and the performance of individual segments.
The Insurance Authority released provisional statistics for Hong Kong's insurance industry in the first half of 2018. Gross premiums totalled $253.7 billion during the period, up 7.2% from the same period last year. Premium income from long-term in-force business was $225.8 billion, up 6.9%, while gross premiums from general insurance business were $27.9 billion, up 9.6%. New policy premiums from mainland visitors were $22.3 billion, down 26.6%, accounting for 26.6% of total new policy premiums from individual business.
Why read this: New policy premiums from mainland visitors fell 26.6% year on year, with about 95% being medical or protection-type products, allowing comparison with changes in the structure of visitor demand.
Aug 12Sun
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Translation is not available yet. Showing the Traditional Chinese version.
Financial Secretary said in his blog that the HKD touched the 7.85 weak-side convertibility undertaking last Thursday, with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority intervening four times to buy about HK$9.66 billion, marking its first market intervention since the Linked Exchange Rate System was refined in 2005. He explained that the four-step process of capital outflows leading to a stable exchange rate is normal operation by design, and noted that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority holds about US$130 billion in assets, while banks' liquidity coverage ratio is close to 150%.
Why read this: The blog lists figures such as the amount absorbed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority through market intervention and banks' liquidity coverage ratio, allowing readers to check whether the buffers supporting the Linked Exchange Rate System are sufficient.
Mar 12Mon
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Translation is not available yet. Showing the Traditional Chinese version.
The Insurance Authority will levy a premium charge on policyholders in accordance with the law from 1 January 2018, at an initial rate of 0.04% of the premium per policy year, rising gradually to 0.1%. In the first phase, the cap for life insurance is $40 per policy year and $2,000 for general insurance; failure to pay the maximum amount in accordance with the law may result in a fine of up to $5,000.
Why read this: The press release sets out the levy rates and caps in four phases from 2018, allowing policyholders to check the maximum amount payable per policy year according to policy type and premium amount.
The Insurance Authority released provisional statistics for Hong Kong's insurance industry for the first half of 2017, with gross premiums of $236.7 billion, up 14.1% year on year. Premium income from long-term business in force rose 15.1% to $211.2 billion, while gross premiums for general insurance grew 6% to $25.5 billion, and overall underwriting profit fell from $1.1 billion to $369 million.
Why read this: The article lists the 14.1% year-on-year rise in gross premiums and the changes in individual business segments, allowing verification of the performance differences between life and general insurance.