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In order to show the net technical provisions remaining in the retention the following table compares the gross provisions with the corresponding Retrocessionaires’ shares, which are shown as assets in the balance sheet.

Technical provisions
in EUR thousand20142013
grossretronetgrossretronet
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserve24,112,0561,376,43222,735,62421,666,9321,403,80420,263,128
Benefit reserve11,757,132676,21911,080,91310,631,451344,15410,287,297
Unearned premium reserve2,748,594149,2572,599,3372,405,497139,0392,266,458
Other technical provisions324,2405,446318,794269,5716,893262,678
Total38,942,0222,207,35436,734,66834,973,4511,893,89033,079,561

The loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are in principle calculated on the basis of the information supplied by ceding companies. Additional IBNR reserves are established for losses that have been incurred but not as yet reported. The development of the loss and loss adjustment expense reserve is shown in the following table. Commencing with the gross reserve, the change in the reserve after deduction of the reinsurers’ portions is shown in the year under review and the previous year.

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserve
in EUR thousand20142013
grossretronetgrossretronet
Net book value at 31 December of the previous year21,666,9321,403,80420,263,12821,610,6981,538,21520,072,483
Currency translation at 1 January1,361,79692,3991,269,397(975,601)(77,759)(897,842)
Net book value after currency translation23,028,7281,496,20321,532,52520,635,0971,460,45619,174,641
Incurred claims and claims expenses (net)1
Year under review7,517,863796,4096,721,4547,728,660815,1896,913,471
Previous years2,983,219240,5012,742,7182,443,788229,7132,214,075
10,501,0821,036,9109,464,17210,172,4481,044,9029,127,546
Less:
Claims and claims expenses paid (net)
Year under review(2,692,876)(471,824)(2,221,052)(2,767,574)(449,729)(2,317,845)
Previous years(6,830,593)(691,203)(6,139,390)(6,390,642)(637,437)(5,753,205)
(9,523,469)(1,163,027)(8,360,442)(9,158,216)(1,087,166)(8,071,050)
Specific value adjustment for retrocessions40(40)
Reversal of impairments341(341)451(451)
Portfolio entries / exits2,5782,57861,66061,660
Currency translation at 31 December103,1376,04597,092(44,057)(14,839)(29,218)
Net book value at 31 December of the
year under review
24,112,0561,376,43222,735,62421,666,9321,403,80420,263,128

In the year under review minimal (previous year: none) specific value adjustments were established on Retrocessions, i.e. on the reinsurance recoverables on unpaid claims, while they were reversed in the amount of EUR 0.3 million (EUR 0.5 million). On balance, therefore, cumulative specific value adjustments of EUR 0.2 million (EUR 0.5 million) were recognised in these reinsurance recoverables as at the balance sheet date.

The total amount of the net reserve before specific value adjustments, to which the following remarks apply, was EUR 22,735.5 million (EUR 20,262.7 million) as at the balance sheet date.

Run-off of the net loss reserve in the property and casualty reinsurance segment

To some extent the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are inevitably based upon estimations that entail an element of uncertainty. The difference between the previous year’s and current estimates is reflected in the net run-off result. In addition, owing to the fact that the period of some reinsurance treaties is not the calendar year or because they are concluded on an underwriting-year basis, it is frequently impossible to make an exact allocation of claims expenditures to the current financial year or the previous year.

The run-off triangles provided by the reporting units are shown after adjustment for the currency effects arising out of translation of the respective transaction currency into the local reporting currency. The run-off triangles of the reporting units delivered in foreign currencies are translated to euro at the current rate on the balance sheet date in order to show run-off results after adjustment for currency effects. In cases where the originally estimated ultimate loss corresponds to the actual ultimate loss in the original currency, it is ensured that also after translation to the Group reporting currency (EUR) a run-off result induced purely by currency effects is not shown.

The run-off triangles show the run-off of the net loss reserve (loss and loss adjustment expense reserve) established as at each balance sheet date, this reserve comprising the provisions constituted in each case for the current and preceding occurrence years.

The following table shows the net loss reserve for the property and casualty reinsurance business group in the years 2004 to 2014 as well as the run-off of the reserve (so-called run-off triangle). The figures reported for the 2004 balance sheet year also include the amounts for previous years that are no longer shown separately in the run-off triangle. The run-off results shown reflect the changes in the ultimate loss arising in the 2014 financial year for the individual run-off years.

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Net loss reserve and its run-off in the property and casualty reinsurance segment
in EUR million31.12.
2004
31.12.
2005
31.12.
2006
31.12.
2007
31.12.
2008
31.12.
2009
31.12.
2010
31.12.
2011
31.12.
2012
31.12.
2013
31.12.
2014
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserve (from balance sheet)
12,594.113,382.113,454.212,838.013,702.014,024.015,286.316,673.717,302.517,925.519,746.9
Cumulative payments for the year in question and previous years
One year later4,176.83,024.72,587.42,522.72,989.62,796.12,486.93,172.82,970.03,235.8
Two years later6,225.35,062.44,350.54,341.24,644.54,040.84,149.74,940.04,608.8
Three years later7,212.86,226.45,694.25,470.75,412.14,874.15,160.35,881.5
Four years later8,000.67,360.96,505.96,026.36,007.75,530.35,818.0
Five years later8,802.67,995.16,906.16,466.66,494.76,040.1
Six years later9,264.38,315.17,249.86,833.56,827.6
Seven years later9,536.88,586.47,525.77,113.4
Eight years later9,744.58,816.97,754.9
Nine years later9,928.19,002.9
Ten years later10,080.9
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserve (net) for the year in question and previous years plus payments made to date on the original reserve
End of year12,594.113,382.113,454.212,838.013,702.014,024.015,286.316,673.717,302.517,925.519,746.9
One year later15,014.513,915.412,708.513,127.014,801.813,512.314,665.016,368.516,879.317,649.9
Two years later14,748.512,854.312,279.213,050.513,525.312,778.314,057.216,022.316,455.5
Three years later14,006.912,311.712,193.712,558.412,679.712,191.513,637.915,518.0
Four years later13,543.712,312.111,762.411,721.412,177.111,770.013,148.1
Five years later13,580.311,940.710,999.411,366.811,839.411,292.8
Six years later13,274.111,241.010,724.811,062.911,330.9
Seven years later12,690.911,040.510,448.410,651.0
Eight years later12,561.110,827.310,128.2
Nine years later12,407.910,600.6
Ten years later12,238.0
Change relative to previous year
Net run-off result169.956.893.591.896.6(31.3)12.614.3(80.4)(148.2)
As percentage of original loss reserve1.30.40.70.70.7(0.2)0.10.1(0.5)(0.8)
Net loss reserve and its run-off in the property and casualty reinsurance segment
in EUR million31.12.
2004
31.12.
2005
31.12.
2006
31.12.
2007
31.12.
2008
31.12.
2009
31.12.
2010
31.12.
2011
31.12.
2012
31.12.
2013
31.12.
2014
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserve (from balance sheet)
12,594.113,382.113,454.212,838.013,702.014,024.015,286.316,673.717,302.517,925.519,746.9
Cumulative payments for the year in question and previous years
One year later4,176.83,024.72,587.42,522.72,989.62,796.12,486.93,172.82,970.03,235.8
Two years later6,225.35,062.44,350.54,341.24,644.54,040.84,149.74,940.04,608.8
Three years later7,212.86,226.45,694.25,470.75,412.14,874.15,160.35,881.5
Four years later8,000.67,360.96,505.96,026.36,007.75,530.35,818.0
Five years later8,802.67,995.16,906.16,466.66,494.76,040.1
Six years later9,264.38,315.17,249.86,833.56,827.6
Seven years later9,536.88,586.47,525.77,113.4
Eight years later9,744.58,816.97,754.9
Nine years later9,928.19,002.9
Ten years later10,080.9
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserve (net) for the year in question and previous years plus payments made to date on the original reserve
End of year12,594.113,382.113,454.212,838.013,702.014,024.015,286.316,673.717,302.517,925.519,746.9
One year later15,014.513,915.412,708.513,127.014,801.813,512.314,665.016,368.516,879.317,649.9
Two years later14,748.512,854.312,279.213,050.513,525.312,778.314,057.216,022.316,455.5
Three years later14,006.912,311.712,193.712,558.412,679.712,191.513,637.915,518.0
Four years later13,543.712,312.111,762.411,721.412,177.111,770.013,148.1
Five years later13,580.311,940.710,999.411,366.811,839.411,292.8
Six years later13,274.111,241.010,724.811,062.911,330.9
Seven years later12,690.911,040.510,448.410,651.0
Eight years later12,561.110,827.310,128.2
Nine years later12,407.910,600.6
Ten years later12,238.0
Change relative to previous year
Net run-off result169.956.893.591.896.6(31.3)12.614.3(80.4)(148.2)
As percentage of original loss reserve1.30.40.70.70.7(0.2)0.10.1(0.5)(0.8)

The run-off profit of altogether EUR 275.6 million in the 2014 financial year derives, as in the previous year, above all from positive run-offs of reserves in the areas of marine / aviation and short-tail property business.

Maturities of the technical reserves

IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts” requires information which helps to clarify the amount and timing of cash flows expected from reinsurance contracts. In the following tables we have shown the future maturities of the technical provisions broken down by the expected remaining times to maturity. As part of our maturity analysis we have directly deducted the deposits put up as collateral for these reserves, since the cash inflows and outflows from these deposits are to be allocated directly to the ceding companies. For further explanation of the recognition and measurement of the reserves please see Section 3.1 “Summary of major accounting policies”.

Maturities of the technical reserves
in EUR thousand2014
Loss and loss adjustment expense reservesBenefit reserve
grossretronetgrossretronet
Due in one year6,873,894410,5376,463,357368,07314,498353,575
Due after one through five years9,430,724530,7918,899,9331,403,573342,1561,061,417
Due after five through ten years3,604,852182,2553,422,5971,186,478277,396909,082
Due after ten through twenty years2,323,594100,4962,223,098558,28325,807532,476
Due after twenty years1,039,39246,431992,961856,50811,248845,260
23,272,4561,270,51022,001,9464,372,915671,1053,701,810
Deposits839,600106,094733,5067,384,2175,1147,379,103
Total24,112,0561,376,60422,735,45211,757,132676,21911,080,913
Maturities of the technical reserves
in EUR thousand2013
Loss and loss adjustment expense reservesBenefit reserve
grossretronetgrossretronet
Due in one year6,160,224394,5715,765,653190,26413,835176,429
Due after one through five years8,335,299551,5077,783,792662,96685,903577,063
Due after five through ten years3,181,135174,7273,006,408986,066186,716799,350
Due after ten through twenty years2,113,511101,9542,011,557569,14936,203532,946
Due after twenty years1,097,58556,0061,041,579767,73115,576752,155
20,887,7541,278,76519,608,9893,176,176338,2332,837,943
Deposits779,178125,511653,6677,455,2755,9217,449,354
Total21,666,9321,404,27620,262,65610,631,451344,15410,287,297

The average maturity of the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves was 5.0 years (5.2 years), or 5.0 years (5.2 years) after allowance for the corresponding retrocession shares. The benefit reserve had an average maturity of 10.7 years (12.6 years) – or 11.5 years (13.1 years) on a net basis.

The average maturity of the reserves is determined using actuarial projections of the expected future payments. A payment pattern is calculated for each homogenous category of our portfolio – making allowance for the business sector, geographical considerations, treaty type and the type of reinsurance – and applied to the outstanding liabilities for each underwriting year and run-off status.

The payment patterns are determined with the aid of actuarial estimation methods and adjusted to reflect changes in payment behaviour and outside influences. The calculations can also be distorted by major losses, and these are therefore considered separately using reference samples or similar losses. The payment patterns used can be compared year for year by contrasting the projected payments with the actual amounts realised. Liabilities in liability and motor reinsurance traditionally have long durations, sometimes in excess of 20 years, while liabilities in property business are settled within the first ten years.

The benefit reserve is established for life, annuity, personal accident and health reinsurance contracts. Based on the duration of these contracts, long-term reserves are constituted for life and annuity policies and predominantly short-term reserves are set aside for health and personal accident business.

The parameters used to calculate the benefit reserve are interest income, lapse rates and mortality / morbidity rates.

The values for the first two components (interest income and lapse rates) differ according to the country concerned, product type, investment year etc.

The mortality and morbidity rates used are chosen on the basis of national tables and the insurance industry standard. Empirical values for the reinsured portfolio, where available, are also taken into consideration. In this context insights into the gender, age and smoker structure are incorporated into the calculations, and allowance is also made for factors such as product type, sales channel and the frequency of premium payment by policyholders.

At the inception of every reinsurance contract, assumptions about the three parameters are made and locked in for the purpose of calculating the benefit reserve. At the same time, safety / fluctuation loadings are built into each of these components. In order to ensure at all times that the originally chosen assumptions continue to be adequate throughout the contract, checks are made on a regular – normally annual – basis in order to determine whether these assumptions need to be adjusted (“unlocked’).

The benefit reserve is established in accordance with the principles set out in SFAS 60. The provisions are based on the Group companies’ information regarding mortality, interest and lapse rates.

Development of the unearned premium reserve
in EUR thousand20142013
grossretronetgrossretronet
Net book value at 31 December of the previous year10,631,451344,15410,287,29710,974,570507,25710,467,313
Currency translation at 1 January763,12634,666728,460(269,269)(7,819)(261,450)
Net book value after currency translation11,394,577378,82011,015,75710,705,301499,43810,205,863
Changes205,140176,51528,625178,89432,203146,691
Portfolio entries / exits126,50697,29029,216(257,122)(186,136)(70,986)
Currency translation at 31 December30,90923,5947,3154,378(1,351)5,729
Net book value at 31 December of the year under review11,757,132676,21911,080,91310,631,451344,15410,287,297

The unearned premium reserve derives from the deferral of ceded reinsurance premium. The unearned premium is determined by the period during which the risk is carried and established in accordance with the information supplied by ceding companies. In cases where no information was received, the unearned premium was estimated using suitable methods. Premium paid for periods subsequent to the date of the balance sheet was deferred from recognition within the statement of income.

Net book value at 31 December of the year under review
in EUR thousand20142013
grossretronetgrossretronet
Net book value at 31 December of the previous year2,405,497139,0392,266,4582,339,809138,3732,201,436
Currency translation at 1 January168,3309,603158,727(120,960)(7,852)(113,108)
Net book value after currency translation2,573,827148,6422,425,1852,218,849130,5212,088,328
Corporate changes307(307)
Changes154,362(3,294)157,656203,2389,414193,824
Currency translation at 31 December20,4053,60216,803(16,590)(896)(15,694)
Net book value at 31 December of the year under review2,748,594149,2572,599,3372,405,497139,0392,266,458

The adequacy of the technical liabilities arising out of our reinsurance treaties is reviewed as at each balance sheet date. In the context of the adequacy testing of technical liabilities (liability adequacy test pursuant to IFRS 4 in conjunction with loss recognition test as per US GAAP) the anticipated future contractual payment obligations are compared with the anticipated future income. Should the result of the test indicate that the anticipated future income will not be sufficient to fund future payments, the entire shortfall is recognised in income by first writing off capitalised acquisition costs corresponding to the shortfall. Any remaining difference is constituted as an additional provision.

 

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