2005 Excellent Business Year for Austrian Insurers

Domestic business was remarkably good for Austrian insurance companies in 2005. All insurance sectors were able to increase their premium revenue, with growth in the life insurance line outpacing that in the health and in the property-liability segments, respectively. While quantity effects predominated in life insurance, owing to single premium payments and the premium-subsidised retirement provision business, price increases were of importance in health insurance, and to a somewhat lesser degree in property insurance.