INTERVIEW: SENADA OLEVIĆ, UNIQA INSURANCE CEO
Interviewed by: Erdin Halimić
SARAJEVO, March 5 (ONASA) – CEO of the UNIQA Insurance Senada Olević in the interview for the ONASA Agency talks, among other things, about the business of the UNIQA Insurance in 2014, plans for the current year, realization of humanitarian activities…
ONASA: How did the UNIQA Insurance operate in 2014?
OLEVIĆ: In the past year, the UNIQA Insurance remained at the very top of insurance companies in the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Profit of about 1.1 million KM was realized before the tax, and we have recorded profit growth of 60 percent compared to 2013. With 22.4 million KM in non-life insurance and 27.2 million KM in life insurance in 2014, the premium of 49.6 million KM was achieved, which compared to 2013 represents an increase in premium of around three percent. With this result, we take second position on the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina by premium income, with market share of 12.2 percent in the FBIH, or about nine percent of the total market of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ONASA: Was there an increase in a number of clients in 2014?
OLEVIĆ: The main challenge has always been to attract new clients and to conclude new policies, on which we are working continuously in order to continue the trend of growth of our company. Despite unfavorable market conditions that have marked the past year, there was an increase in a number of contracts and a significant increase in a number of insured persons. Therefore, we can say that in this segment we have recorded continuing success in accordance with the basis of our business, and this is a long-term successful cooperation with existing clients.
ONASA: Can you announce a new project or action you are planning to implement in 2015?
OLEVIĆ: The UNIQA is always in the process of implementation of new projects and activities, because we want to provide clients with what is truly the best for them, but in a simple and accessible way. At the same time, we remain true to our values, which are reflected in all our activities and in fulfilling given promises to clients.
We are currently working on the promotion of insurance product for SMEs intended for companies and employers who take care of their business and that with the conclusion of this insurance package pass on to us risks that could jeopardize their assets and financial interests of a company. We believe it is really important to feel safe, both at home and at a workplace, and our insurance package for SMEs offers just that, an insurance policy for all necessary covers of assets and employees of SMEs.
We continue with the development and improvement of the loyalty program for natural persons clients. The loyalty program is just one of activities that make our portfolio stronger in terms of satisfied policyholders and contributes to long-term business success of the UNIQA Insurance. In the future, we are planning to develop and improve on other types of insurance in order to ultimately increase clients satisfaction with our services and products.
ONASA: What type of insurance is most popular in BiH? After last year’s floods, has the demand for insurance which deals with the protection from natural disasters increased?
OLEVIĆ: Looking at the market through the types of insurance, it is evident that 42 percent of premiums relates to mandatory liability insurance for motor vehicles. If we compare the structure of the portfolio of our company with the structure of the market, we can say that our company has a slight edge over the competition. In fact, unlike insurance companies which focus on premium of vehicles, our growth and development is not solely due to an increase based on insurance of motor vehicles. The largest part of our portfolio, namely 55 percent, consists of life insurance, and 23 percent of the portfolio relates to the insurance of motor vehicles (motor liability insurance and auto comprehensive insurance), and the remaining 22 percent consists of property insurance, accident insurance, health insurance and other types of insurance.
Last year’s floods have influenced the decline in economic activity, which is certainly reflected on the insurance market. I can say that UNIQA was successful in overcoming these challenges and that after the May floods, on the basis of fire insurance and other hazards, there was an increase in the number of clients compared to the same period in 2013. I would say that the market potential lies in the introduction of mandatory additional types of insurance, in addition to automobile liability insurance. As an example I would cite property insurance, but also accident of employees which is an obligatory form of insurance in Republika Srpska. There is potential in tax relief for holders of life insurance policies, in pension reforms in the health system as incentives for development of voluntary health insurance, and in bank insurance.
ONASA: UNIQA insurance is known as a socially responsible company. Which humanitarian projects have you realized this year and is there a possibility for a new one?
OLEVIĆ: We strive to give this business segment the necessary attention, because we are aware of the importance of corporate social responsibility activities in the communities in which we operate. We have been engaged during floods which occurred in our country. UNIQA insurance in the last year allocated more than 25.000 KM of assistance for socially vulnerable people, our employees visited the flooded areas and most vulnerable residents handing out aid packages with food, clothing and toiletries. We provided assistance in drugs and medical examinations for socially disadvantaged residents, and donated materials for classes of technical education in 30 primary schools across the country. We are planning the implementation of the second wave of donations to the institutions which are located in areas affected by floods, which the media will of course be informed of beforehand. In addition to the humanitarian activities over the past year, we provided and gave out support to projects that we think are important for our country, of which I would single out the Kid’s Festival, and the Youth Sports Games in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which we have been traditionally supporting for four years now. There are also numerous sport associations, youth clubs and NGOs.
ONASA: UNIQA Group currently has 20 member states, is there a plan for further expansion?
OLEVIĆ: UNIQA Group has had, in the previous years, an intensive expansion through acquisitions in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The last acquisition was in Croatia, where Swiss Basler was acquired and merged with UNIQA insurance. In terms of limited economic growth or stagnation in markets where UNIQA is present, the basis is strengthening its market position and profitability of the existing members of the Group, which does not exclude the possibility of further expansion if there is opportunity and economic justification.
ONASA: How important is it for an ordinary citizen to be insured?
OLEVIĆ: The awareness of citizens in terms of insurance is still not at the level where it should be. Insurance is considered a luxury, although it is essentially necessary for all of us, whether we are talking about property insurance, compulsory automobile insurance or life insurance. I would say that life today is not imaginable without insurance, because the need for it is all around us, both in business and in our private lives. In this sense, I would especially emphasize the need of citizens and their own responsibility to preserve the standard of living in the old age. Of course, apart from this, we need a better standard of living and a higher level of economic development that will stimulate our citizens to protect themselves, and facilitate themselves and their families in the years to come and provide a safe and pleasant future.
ONASA: How would you rate the legislation which deals with the insurance market in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
OLEVIĆ: When we speak about the legislative framework in BiH, the basic problem is the disregard of the same by all participants in the insurance market. There are certain initiatives to amend legislation that would facilitate the business of insurance companies in BiH and improve the insurance sector. I sincerely hope that the role of the new government in our country will be constructive in terms of regulation of the insurance market, and that it will deal with finding a mechanism for ensuring compliance with the legal framework of all insurance companies in the market. The insurance sector has great potential, and the effects of development and strengthening of this sector would be noticeable in BiH. (end)