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Dec 31, 2021
W. R. Berkley Q4 2021 Earnings Report
W. R. Berkley Corporation reported fourth quarter results with net premiums written growing by 26.6% and a return on equity of 18.7%.
Key Takeaways
W. R. Berkley Corporation reported a strong fourth quarter and full year in 2021, marked by significant growth in net premiums written and a high return on equity. The company's performance was driven by robust premium growth, strong rate increases, and improved underwriting margins.
Return on equity was 18.7%.
Record quarterly underwriting income reached $260.9 million.
Net premiums written increased by 26.6%.
The reported combined ratio was 88.2%, including catastrophe losses of $48.5 million.
W. R. Berkley
W. R. Berkley
Forward Guidance
The Company anticipates that the factors fueling the Company’s growth should remain in place for the foreseeable future and that compounding rate increases in excess of loss trend will further contribute to underwriting profits as premiums are fully earned. The Company is performing exceptionally well and we look forward to another great year in 2022.
Positive Outlook
- Continued strong rate increases in nearly all lines of business.
- Higher exposure growth.
- Year-over-year margin improvement.
- Further reduction in the expense ratio.
- Well-positioned underwriting and investment portfolios for the anticipated inflationary environment.
Challenges Ahead
- Catastrophe losses
- Continuing low interest rates.
- Cyclical nature of the property casualty industry
- Impact of significant competition
- Long-tail and potentially volatile nature of the insurance and reinsurance business