By Caroline Henshaw
SYDNEY--Suncorp Group Ltd. (SUN.AU) said Monday it has secured
its property catastrophe reinsurance cover for fiscal 2013 with a
"moderate increase" compared to the year before after a series of
catastrophes pushed up premiums.
The Australian insurance and banking group said it has cut the
upper limit on its catastrophe program, which covers motor vehicles
and commercial property in the event of events such as earthquakes,
storms and floods, to 5.3 billion Australian dollars (US$5.18
billion) from A$5.8 billion dollars.
As part of the deal, Suncorp has signed a 30% proportional quota
share agreement for its "significant" exposure to Queensland
state's property market, which was devastated by flooding during
the 2012 financial year, the group said in a statement.
Suncorp declined to provide further details as they are subject
to confidentiality agreements.
Trade publication Insurance Insider has previously reported that
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. had agreed to write a 30% share of
Suncorp's loss-hit Queensland homeowners' book ahead of the
negotiations for its catastrophe cover.
"Suncorp has strengthened its balance sheet and capital position
due, in part, to the reinsurance programs it had in place," said
Group Chief Executive Patrick Snowball. "This year's program
provides similar protection while also supporting the Group's
strategic growth objectives," he added.
Write to Caroline Henshaw at caroline.henshaw@dowjones.com