Strong results from a continued rise in premiums enabled Insurance Australia Group (ASX: IAG) and Suncorp's (ASX: SUN) general insurance arm to post great results this reporting season. Despite posting good results, the two respective chiefs are at odds on the future growth of the insurance industry.
On the one hand, IAG boss Mike Wilkins is expecting softer growth ahead because businesses were choosing to take low-cost premiums with higher excess and many individuals were starting to let insurance policies lapse. The early signs of tougher economic conditions means both individuals and SME's were looking to cut costs and make trade-offs with expenses.
Suncorp chief executive Patrick Snowball said insurance premiums will rise by a "high single-digit" in the next year due to the reinsurance industry being particularly expensive in Australia because we have bigger houses in riskier places. In addition, under-insurance is another reason premiums will have to rise.
In the past 12 months, QBE Insurance (ASX: QBE) has not had the massive gains in share price as IAG and Suncorp but analysts are predicting it to perform well in coming years. With a large amount of international exposure, QBE has more long-term growth potential and, since it only draws 22.5% of revenues from Australia and New Zealand, a slow-down in the domestic economy will not hurt it as much as its ASX-listed peers.
Foolish takeaway
Insurance products can be hard to value and forecast, therefore they should be categorised as 'high risk' investments. At current prices QBE (ASX: QBE) and Suncorp are fairly valued. IAG pays a stellar dividend of 5.8% fully franked and is more modestly priced.
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Motley Fool contributor Owen Raszkiewicz does not have a financial interest in any of the mentioned companies.
