Abu Dhabi :- Insurance House P.S.C. (IH) has maintained a steady performance by registering a Net Profit of AED 10.64 million for the year 2018, which is 28.9% higher than the Net Profit of AED 8.12 million registered in the previous year. This augurs well for sustained profitable growth in the near future. The Board recommended to discuss the distribution of a cash dividend for the first time since inception, during the upcoming Annual General Meeting.
Gross Premiums Written during the year ended 31 December 2018 dropped to AED 210.88 million, compared to AED 219.47 million logged during the previous year, which came as a result of systematic selection of underwritten risks and overall softening of the insurance market in the UAE. However, Net Claims Incurred during 2018 registered a dramatic but healthy drop of 20.84% down to AED 84.44 million compared to AED 106.67 million during the previous year. This is a direct result of a series of strategic and tactical measures implemented by IH Management to lower cost of Claims Incurred across all business lines. The ratio of Net Claims Incurred as a percentage of Net Premiums Earned, registered a remarkable improvement to 56.9% in 2018 compared to 67.6% in the previous year. As a result of the above, Net Underwriting Income for 2018 jumped by 24.2% to AED 45.75 million compared to AED 36.85 million registered during the previous year.
Commenting on the financial results of 2018, Mohammed Abdulla Alqubaisi, Chairman of Insurance House, said: “Despite intense competition, softer market conditions and elevated pressures on input costs, the Company was able to register a year on year improvement, through well thought out strategies and their effective implementation across all business lines. We are confident of maintaining this significantly improved growth momentum in 2019 and beyond.”
With the addition of a stable rent yielding investment property in Q1 2018, Investment Income earned during 2018 rose to AED 4.36 million compared to AED 2.89 million in the previous year. Cash & cash equivalents as of 31 December 2018 stood at a robust 19.4% of Total Assets, highlighting the sound liquidity position of the Company.
General and administrative expenses are higher than the previous year but in line with Insurance House’s expenditure budget for 2018. From an IT Systems and Operational perspectives, the Company transitioned smoothly to the new UAE VAT regime which came into effect on 1 January 2018. Other Operational Expenses for 2018 include a sizeable one-off expenditure of AED 2.96 million on account of Output VAT payable to FTA that was not recoverable from customers as per the UAE VAT Legislation.
During 2018, Insurance House further expanded customer reach within the UAE through the addition of two new branches, the first in Deira, Dubai and the other inside Muroor, Abu Dhabi. This brings the total branch network in the UAE up to 8 branches, in addition to the Abu Dhabi head office.
Mohammed Othman, Chief Executive Officer of Insurance House, said: “We remain optimistic of our profitable growth potential in the near future. Our strategy is to compete on the basis of differentiated product offerings, improved digital capabilities and superior service quality. Going forward, profits from core insurance activities will be driven by continuous fine-tuning of our risk underwriting capabilities, increased use of digital channels to extend customer reach and enhanced controls in our claims management processes.”
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About Insurance House PSC:
Insurance House is a Public Joint stock Abu Dhabi-based Insurance Company with total paid up capital of AED 120 Million. The company offers high quality yet affordable insurance products and services, meeting international standards in compliance with local requirements ranging from conventional to specialized insurance classes. Our fundamental aim is to develop quality tailor made products catering to customers’ insurance needs. Insurance House is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) under the ticker symbol “IH”.
For further information, kindly contact:
Wissam Farran – Group Head
Corporate Communications Department
Insurance House PSC
Tel: +971 2 6194893
Mobile: +971 50 5435865 - Fax: +971 2 6315806
Wissam.f@insurancehouse.ae
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