Key assumptions
The principal assumptions underlying the estimation of liabilities is that the Group’s and
Company’s future claims development will follow a similar pattern to past claims development
experience. This includes assumptions in respect of initial expected loss ratio ("IELR") in the last
accident year, first incurred development factor, claim handling expenses, provision for adverse
deviation, unexpired risk reserve("URR") loss ratio and maintenance expense ratio.
Additional qualitative judgments are used to assess the extent to which past trends may not apply
in the future, for example, isolated occurrence, changes in market factors such as public attitude to
claiming, economic conditions, as well as internal factors, such as, portfolio mix, policy conditions
and claims handling procedures. Judgment is further used to assess the extent to which external
factors, such as, judicial decisions and government legislation affect the estimates.
Other key circumstances affecting the reliability of assumptions include variation in interest rates,
delays in settlement and changes in foreign currency rates.
Sensitivity analysis
The general insurance claim liabilities are sensitive to the key assumptions shown below. It has
not been possible to quantify the sensitivity of certain assumptions, such as, legislative changes or
uncertainty in the estimation process.
The analysis below is performed for reasonably possible movements in key assumptions with all
other assumptions held constant, showing the impact on gross and net liabilities, profit before tax
and equity. The correlation of assumptions will have a significant effect in determining the ultimate
claims liabilities, but to demonstrate the impact due to changes in assumptions, assumptions had
to be changed on an individual basis. It should be noted that movements in these assumptions are
non-linear.