Key Performance Indicators of Life Insurance Providers in Austria

This study examines the performance of 33 companies that offer traditional life insurance in Austria and whose company data are published by the Financial Market Authority in the insurance statistics. The performance indicators cover the period from 2001 to 2005. Four corporate areas are at the centre of the analysis: profitability, company development dynamics, cost levels and creditworthiness of the companies. For each of these four areas, two performance indicators are presented, each of which can answer different questions. In addition, several overall key figures are determined which compress the essential performance components of life insurers into one index figure. The insurers thus strengthened their earning power over the course of time – while their credit standing remained more or less constant. At the same time, they were able to reduce their cost share despite a disproportionately low premium growth.