Best’s Report Sees M&A Activity for P/C & Reinsurance Focused on Diversification

A report from A.M. Best concludes that “global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the property/casualty (P/C) and reinsurance industries continued at a steady pace in the first half of 2014.”

Best said that, based on its research “35 P/C and reinsurance deals were announced globally during the first six months of 2014. The available disclosed amount for all deals was approximately $5.6 billion, compared to slightly half of about $10 billion announced for all of 2013.

The M&A activity was in line with “that of the past few years,” as much of the “activity in the P/C industry during the first half of 2014 was driven by consolidation or companies attempting to enter new markets such as Asia and Latin America.”

Best also noted that, “although not included in the six-month 2014 deal count, one example of this trend was Ace’s July 4th announcement that it will be acquiring the commercial business of Itaú Seguros in Brazil, for nearly $700 million, to become the largest commercial insurer in Brazil.

In 2013, Itaú Seguros’ commercial business generated approximately $1 billion in premiums. ACE’s announcement implied that, once the deal is completed, Latin America will represent approximately 14 percent of total premiums to ACE compared with about 8 percent of total premium in 2013 – making ACE one of the major players in the region.”

The report also found that “from the sell side, increased competition, low interest rates and lower insurance rates have prompted many companies to downsize through the divestiture of underperforming or non-core business lines.”

Best also indicated that it has “noticed that some insurers now understand that organic growth remains challenging at this stage of the cycle, making acquisitions an attractive alternative to growing the business internally.”

Source: A.M. Best

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Reinsurance Property Casualty