SIGNAL IDUNA Group has realized that not only the growth but also the profitability in the insurance business in Central and Eastern European countries are by far more higher than in the Western countries of the EURO-zone. The reasons for this growth are on the one hand the enormous catching-up potential of the citizens in these ambitious countries and on the other hand the reforms of the social systems. Especially the private health insurance will benefit from this development of filling the demand gap between the public system and the increasing wealth.

Romania

SIGNAL IDUNA Group intends to found a Romanian subsidiary. Schulte defines, "that SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurari de Viata will offer private health insurances as well as integrated health care services. These lines provide a huge potential for growth and development."

Hungary

SIGNAL Biztosító in Budapest has once again reported an excellent company result in 2006. The premium income was increased to 39.5 million euros, the profit after taxes increased to 4.31 million euros. Reinhold Schulte said, "the very high level of profits of 2005 had been kept although investing enormously in the development of our IT-system and motor insurance business."  For the current business year SIGNAL Biztosító expects a high two-digit increase. Since the end of November 2006 SIGNAL Biztosító offers motor vehicle insurance products. By the end of February 2007 40,000 motor policies had been sold.

As in Romania and in Poland, SIGNAL IDUNA also prepares to introduce private health insurance in Hungary which will largely profit from the upcoming reforms.

Poland

A very dynamic growth was also reported by the Polish subsidiaries of SIGNAL IDUNA Group in 2006. The companies located in Warsaw realized a total premium income of 18 million euros.

The newly launched health insurance business in the middle of 2006 has developed well so far. For the introduction of this product SIGNAL IDUNA won an innovation prize. SIGNAL IDUNA Poland provides benefits and services in the outpatient sector and also - as the first insurer of the country - in the inpatient sector. The offer appeals especially to employers who want to commit their employees to them and who want to get good medical care for the employees and their families. This way SIGNAL IDUNA Poland is able to close the supply shortage of the Polish health care system which is considered underfinanced.

overview