Steamship Reports Strongest Results

The Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda)  achieved a combined ratio of 78.6% for the 2014-2015 policy year, one of the strongest results in its 100-plus years of existence.

Free reserves increased by US$75 million to US$376.2 million and the financial year combined ratio was 78.6%, one of the strongest results in the Club’s history.

For the 2014/15 policy year, when compared to the preceding year, the Club again experienced fewer claims in the layers below US$250,000 but the average cost of such claims rose by 7%.

The number of larger claims was similar to that experienced in recent years but their average cost was significantly lower and the Club incurred only one claim on the Pool. Overall net estimated claims, including IBNR provision and after reinsurance recoveries, are US$198.4 million, 13.4% below the figure for the 2013/14 policy year at the same point.

The combined investment portfolio recorded a gain of US$13.7 million, a 1.3% return, and the total of cash and investments increased by 7.0% to US$1,041.9 million. Returns on bonds, equities and hedge funds of funds were subdued by a minimal return on short term US Treasuries, which formed the majority of the portfolio until the end of the year, and by revaluation losses on non-US dollar assets which are held to match claim liabilities