Thursday, February 6, 2014

Life Insurance Industry in Ireland, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2017



Regulations aimed at addressing the economic crisis and increases in pension and retirement plans are key factors in the signs of growth shown in the Irish life insurance industry.

With the economic crisis of the review period of 2008-2012, the Irish life segment declined in value as a direct result of both debt and a lack of direct investment into the country. With a reduction in disposable income, consumers are less likely to invest in insurance products, highlighted in the review-period by a drop in individual life insurance plans at a CAGR of -9.9%. Another key issue for the insurance companies to be aware of is the implementation of Solvency II in 2016, which is set to create higher capital requirements for the insurance companies.


Despite a decline in the overall review period, the Irish economy did record a positive growth in 2011 with Irish GDP at current prices expected to grow at a forecast-period CAGR of 3.2% to value EUR187.3 billion (US$239.1 billion) by 2017. This is obviously expected to benefit insurers, with international insurers based in Ireland confident of growth due to expansion, mergers and acquisitions.


Since January 2011, the Central Bank of Ireland has implemented a number of regulatory changes to support growth in the insurance industry, including the Corporate Governance Code for Credit Institutions and Insurance Undertakings, the Fitness and Probity Regime, the Minimum Competency Code and the Consumer Protection Code. These measures aimed to aid economic recovery and prepare insurers for the implementation of Solvency II. While high compliance requirements pose a challenge for insurers in the short term, they are expected to improve efficiency levels over the forecast period. 


Reasons to buy:
  • Increase your knowledge of the factors affecting the Irish Life insurance industry.
  • Minimize the business risks you may face within this market.
  • Obtain a better understanding of the regulations introduced and how they affect the industry.
  • Gain a clear understanding of market opportunities and entry strategies to gain or grow your market share in the Life insurance industry in Ireland.
  • Receive the information needed to gain a greater understanding of the trends in the Life insurance industry.