That is why the solvency ratio is a crucial component to consider when deciding whom to select as an insurer.
What is Solvency Ratio?
The solvency ratio of an insurance company is the size of its capital relative to all the risk it has taken, which is all liabilities subtracted from total assets. In other words, solvency is a measurement of how much the company has in assets versus how much it owes. It is a basic measure of how financially sound an insurer is and its ability to pay claims. It helps investors measure the company’s ability to meet its obligations and is similar to the capital adequacy ratio of banks.
Worth mentioning here is that solvency and liquidity are not the same. Liquidity is a measure of a firm’s ability to pay short-term debt, while solvency is the ability to pay all debt including long-term debt. It is an indicator of the firm’s long-term survival.
How the solvency ratio is calculated.
Insurer |
March 2012 |
March 2013 |
|---|---|---|
LIC |
1.54 |
1.54 |
HDFC Standard |
1.88 |
2.17 |
ICICI Prudential |
3.71 |
3.96 |
ING Life |
2.16 |
1.8 |
Kotak Mahindra |
5.34 |
5.21 |
Reliance |
3.53 |
4.29 |
SBI Life |
5.34 |
2.15 |
Bajaj Allianz |
5.15 |
4.23 |
Birla Sun Life |
2.99 |
2.67 |
Max Life |
1.65 |
2.07 |
Source: IRDA Annual report 2013
The solvency ratio is derived out of the solvency margin (available solvency margin to required solvency margin) which is basically the amount by which the assets of the insurer exceed its liabilities. However it is not as simple as it appears. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, or IRDA, has prescribed methods of valuation of assets and liabilities. Based on these guidelines, the life insurance companies have to prepare a statement of solvency margin every quarter.
In India, insurers are required to maintain a minimum solvency ratio of 1.50. Insurance players whose solvency ratios are dangerously close to this minimum level are closely watched by the insurance regulator, the IRDA. However, as per the draft exposure issued by IRDA in February 2013, it was proposed that the insurance companies be required to maintain a solvency ratio of 1.45 from fiscal 2013-14. Simultaneously, as per international practices, the IRDA has also proposed a move towards a risk-based solvency approach to discourage insurance companies from investing in riskier assets.
How individuals can access the data
Solvency ratios are available in the annual report published on the IRDAI website. As on March 2013, all the 24 life insurers complied with the stipulated requirement of the solvency ratio of which Life Insurance Corporation of India, or LIC, had the lowest solvency ratio among its peers at 1.52 while Bajaj Allianz had the highest solvency ratio of 6.34 in the life insurance space.
While the solvency ratio is a crucial aspect, it should not be viewed in isolation, but in conjunction with other factors. No doubt, a higher solvency ratio is definitely good for the policyholder as this gives him a sense of comfort that the liabilities are backed by assets more than the mandatory limit set by the IRDA.
But overall, the higher the solvency ratio the stronger the promise.
Author – Mr. Ranjan Dutt, AVP – Marketing at Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
Disclaimer
The information being provided under this section ‘Investor Education’ is for the sole purpose of creating awareness about Life Insurance and for their understanding, in general. The views being expressed only constitute opinions and therefore cannot be considered as guidelines, recommendations or as a professional guide for the readers. Many of the statements and assertions contained in this section merely reflect the views, opinions & belief of the individual writers and therefore BALIC does not in any manner guarantee the completeness, efficacy, accuracy or authenticity of such information. This information is not intended to be an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial product or instrument. Before making any investments, the readers are advised to seek independent professional advice, verify the contents in order to arrive at an informed investment decision.
