Media releaseZurichApril 30, 2021

Zurich’s Financial Condition Report 2020 confirms strong solvency

  • Capital base remains well-above regulatory requirements despite pandemic
  • Swiss Solvency Test ratio as per January 1, 2021, at 182%
  • Group maintains its strong financial strength rating

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) has published its Financial Condition Report 2020, showing that the Group maintained a strong financial position even after the financial market impacts, higher claims and voluntary measures to support customers and employees linked to the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Group Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio was 182% as per January 1, 2021, compared with 222%1 a year earlier. This decline reflects a deteriorating economic environment, in particular lower interest rates and increased financial market volatility.

The Group also maintained its strong rating level in 2020. As per December 31, 2020, the insurance financial strength rating of Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, the main operating entity of the Group, was “AA-/Positive” by S&P Global Ratings, “Aa3/Stable” by Moody’s, and “A+(Superior)/Stable” by A.M. Best. A few months later, on March 15, 2021, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the Group rating to “AA/Stable”.

George Quinn, Group Chief Financial Officer, said: “2020 demonstrated the strength of the Group’s balance sheet. This strength allowed us to continue to support our customers when they needed it most, while rewarding shareholders with an attractive dividend. We will continue to focus on optimizing the use of our capital to further improve the Group’s financial performance.”

The Financial Condition Report is a regulatory disclosure required by law and specified by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA and provides comprehensive information about the solvency and financial strength of the Group. It includes information about business performance, governance, Zurich’s risk profile, valuation for solvency purposes and a description of how the Group manages capital.

1 Recalculated ratio per January 1, 2020 based on FINMA-allowed risk-free yield curves for the main currencies for SST applied as per March 31, 2020.

Contacts

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 215 countries and territories. Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.

Disclaimer and cautionary statement
Certain statements in this document are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd or the Zurich Insurance Group (the Group). Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Group’s targeted profit, return on equity targets, expenses, pricing conditions, dividend policy and underwriting and claims results, as well as statements regarding the Group’s understanding of general economic, financial and insurance market conditions and expected developments. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and plans and objectives of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd or the Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements (or from past results). Factors such as (i) general economic conditions and competitive factors, particularly in key markets; (ii) the risk of a global economic downturn, in the financial services industries in particular; (iii) performance of financial markets; (iv) levels of interest rates and currency exchange rates; (v) frequency, severity and development of insured claims events; (vi) mortality and morbidity experience; (vii) policy renewal and lapse rates; (viii) increased litigation activity and regulatory actions; and (ix) changes in laws and regulations and in the policies of regulators may have a direct bearing on the results of operations of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd and its Group and on whether the targets will be achieved. Specifically in relation with the COVID-19 related statements, such statements were made on the basis of circumstances prevailing at a certain time and on the basis of specific terms and conditions (in particular applicable exclusions) of insurance policies as written and interpreted by the Group and may be subject to regulatory, legislative, governmental and litigation-related developments affecting the extent of potential losses covered by a member of the Group or potentially exposing the Group to additional losses if terms or conditions are retroactively amended by way of legislative or regulatory action. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

All references to “Farmers Exchanges” mean Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange and their subsidiaries and affiliates. The three Exchanges are California domiciled inter-insurance exchanges owned by their policyholders with governance oversight by their Boards of Governors. Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are appointed as the attorneys-in-fact for the three Exchanges and in that capacity provide certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges. Neither Farmers Group, Inc., nor its parent companies, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd and Zurich Insurance Group Ltd, have any ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges. Financial information about the Farmers Exchanges is proprietary to the Farmers Exchanges, but is provided to support an understanding of the performance of Farmers Group, Inc. and Farmers Reinsurance Company.

It should be noted that past performance is not a guide to future performance. Please also note that interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year results.

Persons requiring advice should consult an independent adviser.

This communication does not constitute an offer or an invitation for the sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction.

THIS COMMUNICATION DOES NOT CONTAIN AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN THE UNITED STATES; SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION, AND ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE MADE BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER AND THAT WILL CONTAIN DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.