Why Some Insurance Companies Struggle Despite Growth?
Growth ≠ Profit in Insurance
– Aggressive growth often comes at the cost of quality – High claims or lapses can wipe out topline gains – Regulatory actions can restrict pricing freedom
Common Struggles Insurers Face
– High expense ratio despite growing premiums – Poor underwriting leading to frequent claim spikes Low persistency = revenue leakage
Real Examples of Growth Gone Wrong
– Rapid expansion with no margin growth – Chasing market share in high-claim segments – Delay in digital transformation
Red Flags to Watch
– Flat or declining embedded value – Claim settlement ratio worsening YoY – Over-reliance on one distribution channel
Investment Insights
– Prioritize profit growth over just top-line rise – Track claim ratio, persistency, and combined ratio – Avoid insurers with high churn and stagnant EV