TIDMADM
2 March 2011
Admiral announces another record profit coupled with continued strong growth.
Profit before tax at GBP266 million was 23% ahead of 2009, whilst turnover rose
47% to GBP1.58 billion. The Board is proposing a record final dividend for 2010
of 35.5p per share, to be paid on 10 June 2011.
2010 Preliminary Results Highlights
* Group profit before tax up 23% at GBP266 million (2009: GBP216 million)
* Record final dividend of 35.5p per share, full dividend 68.1p (2009: second
interim 29.8p, full 57.5p)
* Group turnover* up 47% at GBP1.58 billion (2009: GBP1.08 billion)
* Number of Group customers up 32% to 2.75 million (2009: 2.08 million)
* Non-UK car insurance turnover up 64% to GBP78 million with customers up 61% to
195,000
* Record return on capital of 59% (2009: 54%)
* Employee Share Scheme - shares, in total worth over GBP12 million will be
distributed to over 3,500 staff based on the 2010 result
* Turnover is defined as total premiums written (including co-insurers' share)
and other revenue
Comment from Alastair Lyons, Group Chairman
"With higher profits, a capital-efficient cash-generative business model, and a
conservatively managed business, we are very pleased once again to be able to
propose an increase in total dividends for the year of 18% to 68.1p per ordinary
share. This represents 94% of after-tax earnings."
Comment from Henry Engelhardt, Group Chief Executive
"For the seventh consecutive year, indeed every year since we became a public
company, Admiral Group has reported record profits and record turnover. We have
now exceeded GBP1.5 billion turnover which is a fantastic achievement.
"I'm extremely proud of how hard everyone at Admiral has worked to achieve this
result. Does it make sense, however, to say that I am pleased, but far from
satisfied? In my view, 2010 was a mixed year for the Group. There were some
big triumphs but also some quite sobering moments and, in a lot of areas, it's
too early to judge the quality of the work completed.
"The big success was the UK motor insurance business. It's a snowball going
like a freight train. Downhill. Wow! Throughout 2010 we experienced a flood
of new business, with UK vehicle growth at over 30%. Everyone in the
organisation is focussed on providing great value and service to all our
customers.
"However there is a lot of work to be done to create sustainable, profitable and
growing businesses outside the UK. There is no magic formula. In 2010 we said
goodbye to our German operation AdmiralDirekt and we wish the team there every
success for the future. Closer to home, we also have a lot of work to do with
Confused which had a tough year in 2010."
Dividend
The Directors have proposed a final dividend of 35.5p per share which will be
paid on 10 June 2011. The ex-dividend date is 18 May 2011 and the record date
20 May 2011.
Management presentation
Analysts and investors will be able to access the Admiral Group management
presentation which commences at 09:00 GMT on Wednesday 2 March 2011 by dialling
+ 44 (0)20 3059 5845 and using participant password "Admiral". A copy of the
presentation slides will be available at www.admiralgroup.co.uk.
Chairman's Statement
In my statement last year I reprised Admiral's strategy since becoming a public
company in 2004, the first two elements being to :-
* Grow our share of the UK private motor insurance market
* Exploit the knowledge, skills and resources attaching to our established UK
businesses to promote our expansion overseas in both private motor and price
comparison
2010 was a year of marked progress against these strategic objectives. In turn
this translated into strong growth in shareholder value, Admiral delivering a
33% Total Shareholder Return over the 12 months ending 31 December 2010. In
accordance with our philosophy of giving all our staff a stake in what they
create by making them shareholders, this excellent performance will mean
employees will again realise the maximum award of GBP3,000 free shares in
recognition of the achievement in full of the 2010 objectives within the
Approved Free Share Scheme. Someone who has been employed since flotation now
has the potential to hold 2,041 shares under this scheme worth GBP34,000.*
In the UK, Admiral's strength in price comparison and significantly better than
market average combined ratio again gave us the flexibility to achieve material
growth in both market share and average premium. With a 32% growth in vehicle
count during 2010 to some 2.5 million vehicles covered by Admiral brands we
estimate that we are now one of the top three UK private motor insurers, holding
around 10% of the UK market. UK car insurance profits rose 33% to GBP276 million.
Our expansion overseas also made considerable progress during 2010. Two days
before Christmas saw the launch of L'Olivier, Admiral's new car insurance brand
in France, following that of LeLynx.fr, our French price comparison business,
early in 2010. We now have this complementary dual presence of motor insurer
and price comparison website in 4 out of our 5 chosen markets. We have found
that the price comparison launch helps stimulate growth in what are often
immature price comparison markets to the benefit of the direct operation, while
the direct operation provides a willing partner in markets where some players
are resistant to the, in our view inevitable, emergence of price comparison.
Admiral's non-UK car insurance turnover increased by 64% over 2009. ConTe in
Italy advanced strongly, whilst in Spain, Balumba had 40% more customers by the
year-end, despite difficult trading conditions. 2010 was our first full year in
the US with Elephant Auto and, as such, was a year of building capability and
learning how best to position ourselves in this new market. At the end of the
year we announced the sale of our German insurance business, AdmiralDirekt. We
have made no secret of the fact that we have found the German market the most
difficult of those entered under our international expansion strategy and there
was not, in our view, an early prospect of further investment delivering the
required return for our shareholders.
The UK price comparison market continued intensely competitive during 2010 with
very high levels of media activity from the four key players. Both turnover and
profitability for Confused were consequently markedly down on 2009. In contrast,
Rastreator, our aggregator in Spain, achieved very good growth in the year.
The strength of our advance in UK Car Insurance drove our Group result for
2010, pre-tax profits at GBP266 million being 23% ahead of the previous year.
Admiral's capital-light business model, transferring a significant proportion of
our underwriting risk to reinsurance partners, allows the majority of our
earnings to be distributed as dividends. This year we will distribute 94% of
post-tax earnings, our full year dividends amounting to 68.1 pence per share,
18% up on our declaration for 2009. Our normal dividend, growing in line with
our growth in profits based on a 45% pay-out ratio, amounted to 32.4 pence per
share, whilst our available surplus, after taking into account our required
solvency, provision for our overseas expansion plans, and a margin for
contingencies, made possible a special dividend of 35.7 pence per share. We
have paid such a special dividend as part of every distribution we have made
since becoming a public company - in total GBP398m, 52% of overall dividends.
We recognise that Admiral now represents a significant part of the communities
in Wales where we are based. We identify closely with these communities and are
delighted to sponsor the Welsh Rugby Union strip for the next three years. We
continue to encourage our staff, wherever they are working, to play an active
part in their local community and Admiral provides financial support to not-for-
profit groups in which staff are involved. In 2010 we sponsored organisations
and activities as diverse as the Alzheimer's Society Swansea, the National
Theatre of Wales, and the Cardiff Mardi Gras.
Each year we undertake an appraisal of the working of the Board and the Board
Committees, and of my effectiveness as chairman, and seek to identify how we can
improve our Board process and its effectiveness in setting, and having oversight
of the implementation of, the Group's strategy. Every three years, of which
2010 was one such, this takes the form of an external review of our
effectiveness. Whilst the overall conclusion was that the Board has continued
to work very effectively in relation to most dimensions the review also
identified clear areas of focus. In particular we recognise that several of our
Non-Executive Directors are due to reach their maximum term in the next four
years necessitating an effective process of succession planning leading to the
recruitment of new directors with generous overlap to maintain continuity of
knowledge and Board dynamics.
I am, therefore, delighted that Colin Holmes, until recently Tesco's UK
Commercial Director for Fresh Foods and a member of Tesco's Group Executive
Committee, has accepted our invitation to join the Board and provide succession
to the role of Audit Chair when, in due course, Martin Jackson completes his
three terms. Colin already has non-executive experience having been a member of
the board of Bovis Homes since 2006.
The review also underlined the importance of the Board increasing its exposure
to senior managers across the Group in order to assist the Board's assessment of
the bench strength available to support the broader executive succession
planning and the Group's continued expansion. Whilst the straight-forward nature
of our business, being a monoline direct private motor insurer, means that
Solvency II is less complex for Admiral than for more broadly-based competitors,
we recognise the need to increase our depth in risk management to ensure that
the models supporting Solvency II are appropriately embedded in our business.
I am often asked what is the principal reason for Admiral's success : the answer
is a simple one - our people, embracing our Board, our executive team, our
management, and our staff in all roles and across all geographies. It is they
who develop the business models, have the creative intuition, and design and
implement the processes that, when taken all together, engender success. To all
our people my thanks on behalf of the Board for another very successful year.
(*based on the closing share price on 25th February 2011)
Alastair Lyons
Chairman
Chief Executive's Statement
For the seventh consecutive year, every year since we became a public company,
Admiral Group has reported record profits and record turnover. On the face of
it I think most CEOs would be pleased with such results. Does it make sense to
say that I am pleased, but far from satisfied? In my view, 2010 was a mixed
year for the Group. There were some big triumphs but also some quite sobering
moments and, in a lot of areas, it's too early to judge the quality of the work
completed.
The big success was the UK motor insurance business. It's a snowball going like
a freight train. Downhill. Wow!
Admiral Group has a core business that is fantastic and appears to be getting
better. Trading conditions in the UK were more favourable than any time since
2000. And I'm pleased to say we were able to take full advantage. Big price
hikes in the market pushed consumers to shop. We raised our rates some, but
also took advantage of our combined ratio advantage in the market to gobble up
market share. We are now home to about 10% of the UK private car insurance
market by value. More details on this market and our performance are provided
by David Stevens on the following pages.
Besides UK insurance there were other areas in the Group that did well,
including:
* Growth and development of ConTe in Italy
* The continued growth of Rastreator, our price comparison business in Spain
However, there were also important businesses in the Group that underperformed
or that ran into substantial challenges, including:
* AdmiralDirekt, our insurance operation in Germany, which we sold at the end
of the year
* Slow growth of Elephant Auto in the US
* Difficult trading conditions in Spain, which acted as a brake on the
development of Balumba
* The fall in Confused's profits aligned with on-going market share decline
(Kevin Chidwick gives more details on this business later in this report)
Our other operations are all young and immature businesses that need to mature
and improve. The Board's decision to exit the German market after three years
is a clear indication that 'young and immature' does not give even a new
business carte blanche to underperform. So 2011 will be dedicated to improving
our operations in Spain, Italy, the USA and France. There's no magic formula
and success will definitely not be instantaneous, but our goal is to quickly put
these businesses on a clear success trajectory. I'm pleased to say that I
believe we have the right people in place to do this. I do believe that all of
these operations will be successful, albeit, in time.
Already we are successful at exporting our award-winning culture. Our
operations in Italy, Spain and the US all gained entry to their respective
country or area lists that measure employee satisfaction. It is a very good
feeling to walk into an office, hundreds or even thousands of miles away from
one's own, and know instantly it was cut from the same cloth. Now all we need
to do is continue to grow ConTe profitably, get some price hikes in the Spanish
market and generate cheaper quotes in greater volume in the US!
Here are a few highlights from 2010:
Overall:
* Record profits of GBP265.5 million
* 32% growth in customer numbers, from 2.08 million to 2.75 million
* Record turnover figure of GBP1.58 billion
* Record dividend declared, 35.5 p/share
* 59% return on capital
* UK Children's Christmas Parties attendance tops 1,000!
Balumba:
* 41% growth in customers, from 50,300 to 70,700
* First annual profit of GBP0.8 million, a change of GBP2.1 million from 2009
Chiarezza:
* Did over 164,000 quotes from launch in February '10
ConTe:
* 86,500 customers at year-end, up 144% from 2009
* Loss ratio after 12 months was 28 percentage points better in 2010 than 2009
Elephant Auto:
* Gained license and now trading in Maryland, as well as Virginia
* Loss ratio figures better than expectations
LeLynx:
* Did over 250,000 quotes from launch on January 18
Rastreator:
* 420% growth in quotes in the year from 254,000 to 1,320,000
As you can see, on a lot of measures 2010 was a pretty good year. As you may
remember (actually quite unlikely, so I'll remind you), 2009 was the Year of the
Ox: a lot of hard-tilling of the insurance soil. I think 2010 goes down as the
Year of the Puppy Dog. It was the Year of the Puppy Dog because when one looks
at those highlights it looks like an incredibly cute, cuddly year with a lot of
moments that you'll treasure forever. However, as with a puppy dog, sometimes
it wee'd on the floor!
In sum, this is a good business and a good organisation. It will be better.
Time to say 'Thanks'. In particular I'd like to highlight the contribution of
Andrew Probert, our former Finance Director, who, instead of being retired, was
instrumental in achieving the sale of AdmiralDirekt. Finally, as one does, I've
saved the best for last. Let me say 'Thanks!' to staff, partners and
significant others, as those record profits and record turnover numbers didn't
happen by themselves.
Henry Engelhardt
Chief Executive Officer
Business Review
Group financial highlights and key performance indicators
2008 2009 2010
Turnover GBP910.2m GBP1,077.4m GBP1,584.8m
Net revenue GBP422.8m GBP507.5m GBP640.7m
Number of customers 1.75m 2.08m 2.75m
Loss ratio 64.7% 69.0% 69.4%
Expense ratio 21.8% 23.1% 19.9%
Combined ratio 86.5% 92.1% 89.3%
Profit before tax GBP202.5m GBP215.8m GBP265.5m
Earnings per share 54.9p 59.0p 72.3p
Turnover comprises total premiums written and other revenue
In financial terms the Group enjoyed a very positive 2010, producing substantial
top line growth, a significant rise in the number of customers and strong
increases in pre-tax profit and dividends. Three new businesses were launched
in the year (two price comparison businesses - in France and Italy - plus a car
insurer in France), while the decision was taken to exit the German car
insurance market, with a deal to sell the AdmiralDirekt business concluded in
early 2011.
Favourable conditions in the Group's core UK car insurance market were the main
driver of a 47% increase in turnover to GBP1,585 million from GBP1,077 million. The
UK Car Insurance business accounted for 90% of the 2010 total. The number of
customers across the Group increased by almost one third to 2.75 million, and
2010 ended with over 195,000 vehicles insured outside the UK.
Pre-tax profit increased by 23% to GBP265.5 million, again strongly driven by UK
Car Insurance where profits increased by one third to GBP275.8 million.
Significant increases in earned premium and ancillary profits were the key
contributors to the increase.
The Group's investment in young and new overseas businesses continued in 2010;
total losses outside the UK (excluding pre-launch costs) amounting to GBP12.9
million, up from GBP10.3 million last year. Encouragingly, Balumba in Spain made
its first full year profit ( GBP0.8 million, after making a loss of GBP1.3 million in
2009). The Group operates seven businesses outside the UK - four car insurers
(Balumba in Spain, ConTe in Italy, Elephant Auto in the USA and L'Olivier in
France) and three price comparison websites (Rastreator in Spain, LeLynx in
France and Chiarezza in Italy).
Confused had a tough year in the UK price comparison market, and saw revenue
fall by 10% to GBP71.8 million and profit decline by 34% to GBP16.9 million.
Other Group highlights include:
* Group combined ratio at 89%, improved from 92% in 2009
* Net revenue up 26% to GBP641 million
Total dividends for the 2010 financial year will amount to 68.1 pence per share
( GBP183 million in total), up 18% on the previous year (57.5 pence; GBP153 million).
The Group's results are presented in three key segments - UK Car Insurance, Non-
UK Car Insurance and Price Comparison. We summarise other Group items in a
fourth section.
UK Car Insurance
Non-GAAP*1 format income statement
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Turnover*2 804.8 939.1 1,419.7
------------------------------
Total premiums written*3 690.2 804.7 1,237.6
------------------------------
Net insurance premium revenue 161.9 199.1 269.4
Investment income 17.1 7.5 8.3
Net insurance claims (105.1) (138.7) (192.6)
Net insurance expenses (26.0) (30.3) (32.4)
------------------------------
Underwriting profit 47.9 37.6 52.7
Profit commission 34.7 54.2 67.0
Net ancillary income 89.0 106.3 142.4
Other revenue 8.3 8.8 13.7
------------------------------
UK Car Insurance profit before tax 179.9 206.9 275.8
*1 GAAP = Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
*2 Turnover (a non-GAAP measure) comprises total premiums written and other
revenue
*3 Total premiums written (non-GAAP) includes premium underwritten by co-
insurers
Key performance indicators
2008 2009 2010
Reported loss ratio 62.0% 66.9% 68.3%
Reported expense ratio 19.0% 18.0% 15.2%
Reported combined ratio 81.0% 84.9% 83.5%
Written basis expense ratio 17.0% 16.9% 14.4%
Claims reserve releases GBP38.0m GBP31.3m GBP23.5m
Releases as % of net premium 23.5% 15.7% 8.7%
Profit commission as % of net premium 21.4% 27.2% 24.9%
Vehicles insured at year-end 1.59m 1.86m 2.46m
Ancillary income per vehicle GBP70.7 GBP72.0 GBP77.5
UK Car Insurance - Co-insurance and Reinsurance
One of the key features of Admiral's business model (in and outside the UK) is
significant use of proportional risk sharing agreements, where insurers outside
the Group underwrite a majority of the risk generated, either though co-
insurance or reinsurance contracts. All contracts include profit commission
arrangements which allow Admiral to retain a significant portion of the profit
generated.
The two principal advantages of the arrangements are:
- Capital efficiency - the majority of the capital supporting the underwriting
is held outside the Group. As Admiral is typically able to retain much of the
profit generated via profit commission, the return on Group capital is higher
than in an insurance company with a standard business model
- Risk mitigation - The co-insurer and reinsurers bear their proportional shares
of claims expenses and hence provide protection should results worsen
substantially
In 2010, Admiral underwrote a net 27.5% of UK premiums (in line with 2009 &
'08). 45% of the 2010 UK total is underwritten by the Munich Re Group
(specifically Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) Plc) through a long-term co-insurance
agreement, with a further 27.5% being proportionally reinsured to Hannover Re
(10.0%), New Re (10.0%) and Swiss Re (7.5%).
The nature of the co-insurance is such that 45% of all motor premium and claims
for the 2010 year accrues directly to Great Lakes and does not appear in the
Group's income statement. Similarly, Great Lakes reimburses the Group for its
proportional share of expenses incurred in acquiring and administering the motor
business.
New arrangements for 2011 and beyond
During 2010, the Group signed new contracts to come into force in 2011 with two
new quota share partners. Mapfre Re and XL Re will both underwrite 2.5% of the
UK business in 2011. The remainder is split: Admiral's net share at 27.5%;
Great Lakes (co-insurance) 40.0%; New Re 11.25%; Hannover Re 8.75% and Swiss Re
7.5%.
The Great Lakes co-insurance contract will run until at least the end of 2016,
and will see Great Lakes co-insure 40% of the UK business for the remaining
period. Admiral has committed to retain at least 25% for the duration, whilst
the allocation of the balance is at Admiral's discretion.
UK Car Insurance Financial Performance
Commentary on UK market conditions is included in the Chief Operating Officer's
Review.
Total premiums written in the UK increased by 54% to GBP1,237.6 million (2009:
GBP804.7 million), whilst the number of vehicles insured at year-end rose by 32%
to 2.46 million (2009: 1.86 million).
Admiral's premium rates rose, on average, by just over 25% during the year,
whilst the average premium for transacted business increased by around 16% year-
on-year (the difference in percentages reflecting the timing of rate rises over
the course of the year). Our estimation is that our price rises lagged those in
the market, the resultant increase in our competitiveness, combined with the
continued growth of price comparison contributing to the significant growth in
vehicles insured in 2010.
The 2010 loss ratio, before the impact of reserve releases is 77%, an
improvement on the 83% reported in 2009. The reduction is predominantly a
result of the positive impact of price rises on premiums earned in the year.
The price changes in 2010 should continue to benefit the loss ratio in 2011.
Reserve releases in 2010 equated to 9% of UK net premium revenue ( GBP23.5
million), down from 16% ( GBP31.3 million) in 2009. The reduction reflects the
recent shift in contribution between releases and profit commission in respect
of business written in prior periods (refer to the claims reserving note below).
After taking the lower level of releases into account, the 2010 loss ratio was
68.3% compared to 66.9% for 2009.
Claims reserving
Admiral's policy is initially to reserve conservatively, above independent and
internal projections of ultimate loss ratios. This results in a significant
margin being held in reserves to allow for unforeseen adverse development in
open claims and creates a position whereby Admiral makes above industry average
reserve releases.
As profit commission income is recognised in the income statement in line with
loss ratios accounted for on our own claims reserves, the reserving policy means
that profit commission income is also deferred and released over time.
In determining the quantum of releases from prior years, we seek to maintain a
consistent level of prudence in reserves (taken together with 'reserves' of
profit commission) based on actuarial projections of ultimate loss ratios. In
recent periods the contribution to the total margin deriving from profit
commission has increased significantly.
The 2010 expense ratio of 15.2% showed a notable improvement on the 18.0%
reported in 2009. This was partly due to increases in average premiums, but
also reflects continued efficiencies in operations as the business grows.
Admiral's UK expense ratio is approximately half the market average.
The combined ratio in 2010 was 83.5%, marginally better than the 84.9% for
2009. The improvement in expense ratio was in part offset by the slight
worsening in the reported loss ratio. The latest market information available
for 2009 shows a total combined ratio of 123% (Admiral's advantage over this
figure being spread relatively evenly between the loss and expense ratio
elements).
Including investment income of GBP8.2 million (2009: GBP7.5 million), underwriting
profit in 2010 rose significantly to GBP52.7 million from GBP37.6 million in 2009.
Of this increase, around GBP10 million relates to higher net insurance premium
revenue, with the majority of the remaining GBP5 million derived from the improved
combined ratio. Investment income is discussed further below.
Profit commission income from co-insurance and reinsurance partners grew
strongly in 2010, to GBP67.0 million from GBP54.2 million in 2009 (an increase of
24%). This equated to around 25% of net insurance premium revenue, largely in
line with 2009.
Strong growth in customer numbers translated into a significant increase in
ancillary profit in 2010. Net ancillary contribution (after overhead cost
allocation), increased by 34% to GBP142.4 million (2009: GBP106.3 million). The
increase was ahead of vehicle count growth due to an increase in the
contribution earned per vehicle ( GBP77 v GBP72 in 2009). Note that whilst the year-
end vehicle count rose by 32% in 2010, the average number of vehicles insured
(on which the income per vehicle KPI is measured) increased by 24%.
Overall, the high level of growth and continued strong performance across the
Group's core business led to a one third increase in pre-tax profits to GBP275.8
million (2009: GBP206.9 million).
Non-UK Car Insurance
Non-GAAP format income statement
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Turnover 29.7 47.2 77.6
--------------------------
Total premiums written 26.0 43.0 71.0
--------------------------
Net insurance premium revenue 7.9 12.8 18.7
Investment income 0.7 0.2 0.1
Net insurance claims (9.5) (13.0) (15.9)
Net insurance expenses (6.2) (13.0) (16.5)
--------------------------
Underwriting result (7.1) (13.0) (13.6)
Net ancillary income 2.8 3.3 5.3
Other revenue and charges 0.2 0.2 0.3
--------------------------
Non-UK Car Insurance result (4.1) (9.5) (8.0)
Note - Pre-launch costs excluded
Key Performance Indicators
Balumba AdmiralDirekt ConTe Elephant Total
2010 Auto
Total premiums ( GBPm) 23.6 13.5 30.5 3.4 71.0
Vehicles insured 70,700 32,100 86,500 5,700 195,000
Result ( GBPm) 0.8 (3.2) (2.6) (3.0) (8.0)
2009
Total premiums ( GBPm) 17.8 14.0 11.1 0.1 43.0
Vehicles insured 50,300 35,000 35,500 200 121,000
Result ( GBPm) (1.3) (5.2) (2.4) (0.6) (9.5)
Non-UK Co-insurance and Reinsurance
Significant use of reinsurance is also a feature of the Group's insurance
operations outside the UK.
The arrangements in Europe are generally similar and involve Admiral retaining
35% of the risks, the majority share of 65% being underwritten by Munich Re.
The exception is France, where Admiral retains a net 30%, with 70% reinsured
among three reinsurers.
Following the sale of AdmiralDirekt in early 2011, all premium written and
earned in 2011 in Germany is 100% reinsured to the acquiring company, Itzehoer.
The only risk retained by the Group relates to the development of open claims on
accidents prior to 1 January 2011. The total exposure is not material.
In the USA, Admiral's US insurer retains one third of the underwriting, with the
remaining two thirds shared between two reinsurers. Both bear their
proportional share of expenses and underwriting, subject to certain caps on the
reinsurers' total exposures.
All contracts have profit commission terms that allow Admiral to receive a
proportion of the profit earned on the underwriting once the business reaches
cumulative profitability.
The contracts in place for Germany, Italy, France and the USA include
proportional sharing of ancillary profits.
Non-UK Car Insurance Financial Performance
Total premium written outside the UK rose to GBP71.0 million in 2010 from GBP43.0
million in 2009 (+ 65%). The number of vehicles insured also continued to rise
strongly, moving to 195,000, 61% higher than the 121,000 at the end of 2009.
Non-UK vehicles now account for 7% of the Group's total customer base.
In performance terms, 2010 was a mixed year outside the UK. Balumba, the
Group's most mature operation completed its fourth full year of trading and
recorded its first full year profit of GBP0.8 million. Whilst the headline result
is positive, the combined ratio for 2010 remained around 150%, meaning Balumba
still has work to do.
There was further positive news with the on-time, under-budget launch of
L'Olivier, the Group's French car insurer, in Paris in December. As with other
launches, business volumes will be small for some time whilst different
marketing approaches are tested and pricing is calibrated. ConTe in Italy also
had a positive year, growing its customer base by over 140% and showing
encouraging signs of becoming a sustainable business in the short-term.
Elephant Auto in the US, which completed its first full year of operation in
2010, generated a lower than anticipated level of quote volumes at reasonable
cost, and ended the year with only 5,700 vehicles insured. The low level of
premium that followed resulted in a very high expense ratio (though the loss
ratio is encouraging, albeit on small volumes).
The decision was taken in 2010 to sell our German insurer, AdmiralDirekt which
had started writing business in January 2008. The German market posed a number
of challenges for the Group, including conservative customers, a small number of
dominant and successful incumbents and an operationally challenging 'busy
season' leading up to 1 January renewals. The Board therefore concluded that
the chances of creating a sustainable business in the foreseeable future were
not high.
In aggregate, our Non-UK Car Insurance businesses made losses of GBP8.0 million in
2010, down from GBP9.5 million in 2009. In context, the 2010 loss is less than
3% of UK Car Insurance profits. Each business is considered in more detail
below.
Balumba
Balumba grew the number of vehicles it insures by over 40% in 2010, closing the
year with nearly 71,000 customers (its highest ever level). However, conditions
in the Spanish market were tough given the state of the Spanish economy, with
very low levels of new or used car sales, very little movement in premium rates
and no growth in the market share of direct insurers. Excluding the impact of
currency movement, total premium written increased by around 30% to GBP24
million. Balumba's rates were broadly unchanged over 2010 as a whole.
Balumba's focus on improving the loss ratio continues to yield positive results,
with much more satisfactory loss ratio experience in the most recent periods:
Balumba - loss ratio development
Underwriting year
2007 2008 2009 2010
After 12 months 137% 102% 83% 87%
After 24 months 135% 109% 89% -
After 36 months 133% 111% - -
After 48 months 133% - - -
On an earned basis, the loss ratio for 2010 was 92%, down from 100% in 2009.
Despite growing by 40% in volume terms, a focus on cost control led to Balumba's
operating expenses falling in 2010, and this led to an improvement in the
expense ratio.
Taking the loss and expense ratios together, the combined ratio on a reported
basis improved to 148% from 163% last year. Despite the better outcome, the
combined ratio is still materially ahead of where it needs to be and Balumba
management continues to focus on its improvement.
The positive contribution from ancillaries to Balumba's result continued in
2010, with in excess of EUR75 in contribution generated per policy sold and
renewed. This was modestly higher than in 2009, and in total led to Balumba
making a profit for the year of GBP0.8 million.
AdmiralDirekt
For reasons noted above, AdmiralDirekt was sold to a German insurer (Itzehoer
Versicherungen) in a deal that concluded in early January 2011.
The transaction involved a sale of the trade and certain assets of the business;
the consideration for which was not materially different to the carrying value
of the assets in the balance sheet at the year-end.
The sale also involved signing a new reinsurance arrangement with Itzehoer,
resulting in all premium earned from 1 January 2011 onwards being fully
reinsured to Itzehoer. All expenses incurred from January 2011 onwards are also
borne by the buyer. The only remaining economic exposure the Group has in
Germany is the development of claims relating to accidents prior to 1 January
2011. At the balance sheet date, net reserves for these claims totalled only GBP1
million.
AdmiralDirekt's result for 2010 was a loss of around GBP3 million, notably better
than the GBP5 million loss in 2009. The combined ratio was over 50 percentage
points better in 2010 (183% v 238%), with the improvement being spread over the
loss and expense ratios. Earned premium was broadly flat at GBP4 million across
2009 and '10.
There should be no material impact to the Group's income statement relating to
the AdmiralDirekt business in the future.
ConTe
Market conditions in Italy were positive for ConTe in 2010, with significant
increases in premium rates in the market being a catalyst for strong growth.
ConTe's customer base increased from 35,500 at the start of the year to over
86,500 at the end. Total premiums (excluding currency impacts) increased by
over 150% to GBP30 million. ConTe's base premium rates increased relatively
significantly during the year, by around 16% on average across new business and
renewals.
This strong growth was accompanied by a positive loss ratio outcome on the 2010
underwriting year, which was at 70% after 12 months, compared to 98% for the
2009 year. The 2010 ratio includes a significant allowance for incurred but not
reported (IBNR) claims.
ConTe - loss ratio development
Underwriting year
2008 2009 2010
After 12 months 87% 98% 70%
After 24 months 105% 103% -
After 36 months 119% - -
On an earned basis, the 2010 loss ratio improved to 84% from 98% in 2009.
Operating costs were a key area of focus in ConTe, and expense ratios are
developing positively as the business grows. On a written basis, the expense
ratio in 2010 improved to 45% (from 80%) whilst on an earned basis the
improvement was to 70% from 145%.
After net ancillary contribution of around GBP1 million, ConTe made a loss of GBP2.6
million in 2010, broadly in line with 2009, but on substantially higher earned
premium ( GBP6.7 million v GBP1.9 million).
Elephant Auto
Elephant completed its first full year of operation in 2010, having launched in
October 2009. Although still early days for the business, volumes (in quote and
sales terms) were below expectation and full year premium only totalled around
GBP4 million. Elephant insured around 5,700 cars at the end of the year.
One of the key positive features of the first year's performance was the loss
ratio, which (excluding loss adjustment costs) despite being on gross earned
premium of only around GBP2.4 million, finished the year at around 60% including
IBNR.
Elephant is currently focussing on its marketing activity in order to generate
higher volumes at an acceptable acquisition cost. Having only operated in
Virginia in 2010, Elephant also started selling in adjacent Maryland in early
2011 to improve the efficiency of its advertising.
In 2010, Elephant made a loss of around GBP3 million.
L'Olivier Assurances
The Group's new French car insurer launched in Paris late in 2010. The short-
term strategy will be based on test and learn and volumes are not expected to be
significant for some time. Pre-launch costs were well below GBP1 million.
The approach taken in the French market is different to other launches in the
sense that much of the operational side of the business is outsourced to a
specialist external company. This means far greater certainty over expenses and
should result in a lower combined ratio in the early stages of the business'
development.
Price Comparison
Non-GAAP format income statement
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Revenue:
Motor 52.9 62.2 59.6
Other 13.2 18.3 16.1
---------------------------
Total 66.1 80.5 75.7
Operating expenses (40.5) (55.6) (63.6)
---------------------------
Operating profit 25.6 24.9 12.1
Confused.com profit 25.6 25.7 16.9
Non-UK Price Comparison loss - (0.8) (4.8)
---------------------------
25.6 24.9 12.1
UK Price Comparison - Confused.com:
In 2010, Confused endured its toughest year since launch, recording falls in
market share, revenue and operating profit. UK price comparison remains a
fiercely competitive market, with substantial amounts spent on advertising by
the four main incumbents. Group Finance Director Kevin Chidwick, who has Board
responsibility for Confused, comments further on the market and Confused's
position within it in his review.
Revenue at Confused fell by around 10% to GBP71.8 million (2009: GBP80.1 million).
The key cause was a disappointing media campaign during the year which led to
falls in market share in motor and home insurance comparison. Revenue from
products other than motor insurance totalled GBP15.9 million (2009: GBP18.3
million), 22% of the total (2009: 23%).
Operating expenses were broadly flat at just under GBP55 million, meaning Confused
delivered an operating profit of GBP16.9 million, one third lower than 2009's
result. As a consequence of flat expenses and falling revenue, the operating
margin percentage fell to 23.5% from 32.0%.
Non-UK Price Comparison:
Rastreator
Having launched in March 2009, Rastreator completed its first full year of
operation in 2009. Revenue totalled GBP3.3 million, and the loss of GBP1.0 million
represented an encouraging result after just 22 months in business.
Rastreator increased the range of products on which it offers comparison during
2010, and now provides quotes on motor, motorcycle, home and life insurance.
Motor insurance leads account for over 90% of Rastreator's total revenue.
LeLynx & Chiarezza
Having traded for less than a full year at the end of 2010, figures for these
two new operations are not yet significant. Combined revenue was around GBP0.6
million, and the two businesses made an aggregate loss of GBP3.8 million as they
developed market presence through advertising. Further detail will be provided
as the businesses become more significant.
Other Group Items
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Gladiator operating profit 2.8 2.4 2.7
Group net interest income 6.6 1.1 1.1
Share scheme charges (5.9) (9.2) (15.0)
Expansion costs (0.8) (2.0) (1.1)
Other central overhead (1.6) (1.7) (2.1)
Gladiator
Gladiator is a commercial vehicle insurance broker offering van insurance and
associated products, typically to small businesses. Distribution is via
telephone and internet (including price comparison websites).
Non GAAP income statement and key performance indicators
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Revenue 9.5 10.6 11.8
Expenses (6.7) (8.2) (9.1)
---------------------------
Operating profit 2.8 2.4 2.7
Operating margin 29% 23% 23%
Customer numbers 84,900 93,400 94,500
Gladiator's customer base remained broadly flat over the course of 2010 as the
van insurance market remained very competitive. The business was, however, able
to increase the amount of revenue earned from each relationship.
Operating profit consequently increased to GBP2.7 million from GBP2.4 million,
whilst the operating margin percentage was flat at 23%.
Share scheme charges
The charge in the income statement related to the Group's two share schemes
increased to GBP15.0 million from GBP9.2 million for two key reasons:
* Higher share price at award: The weighted average share price for shares
awarded in 2010 was GBP13.90 compared to GBP9.90 in 2009 (+40%)
* Higher number of shares awarded: In 2010, a total of 2.4 million shares
were awarded under the Group's schemes - 10% higher than in 2009, reflecting
growth in Group headcount
Investments and Cash
Investment strategy
Once again, there was no change in investment strategy, and the Group's funds
were held either in money market funds, term deposits or as cash at bank.
The key focus of the Group's investment strategy is capital preservation, with
additional priorities being focus on low volatility of investment return and
high levels of liquidity.
Cash and investments analysis
31 December 2010
Non-UK
UK Car Car Price
Insurance Insurance Comparison Other Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Money market funds 333.8 29.8 - - 363.6
Long-term cash deposits 283.0 6.6 - 10.0 299.6
Cash 90.6 40.3 11.2 104.6 246.7
-----------------------------------------------------
Total 707.4 76.7 11.2 114.6 909.9
31 December 2009
-----------------------------------------------------
Non-UK
UK Car Car Price
Insurance Insurance Comparison Other Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Money market funds 208.5 29.2 - - 237.7
Long-term cash deposits 178.5 5.0 - - 183.5
Short-term cash deposits - - - 20.0 20.0
Cash 112.9 21.3 9.0 48.6 191.8
-----------------------------------------------------
Total 499.9 55.5 9.0 68.6 633.0
The allocation of funds between the two main investment types (money market
funds and term deposits) has remained relatively stable over the year and all
investment objectives continue to be met.
Average balances held during 2010 were notably higher than 2009, mostly due to
the significant increase in business written in the UK. Total investment and
interest income rose to GBP9.5 million (from GBP8.8 million). The average rate of
return on invested sterling funds (composing the vast majority of total
balances) was just over 1% in 2010.
Around 67% of the funds are available without notice (2009: 68%), providing the
Group with satisfactory levels of liquidity.
Strong cash generation continues to be a feature of the Group's businesses,
enabling the distribution of the majority of post-tax profits.
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Operating cash flow, before transfers to investments 251.5 286.4 522.0
Transfers to financial investments (76.0) (10.5) (240.8)
------------------------
Operating cash flow 175.5 275.9 281.2
Tax and interest payments (56.9) (49.1) (69.5)
Investing cash flows (capital expenditure) (11.3) (11.8) (11.1)
Financing cash flows (largely dividends) (128.7) (142.2) (164.9)
Foreign currency translation impact 9.9 (5.3) (0.8)
------------------------
Net cash movement (11.5) 67.5 34.9
Net increase in cash and financial investments 63.8 77.8 276.9
The significant increase in total cash plus investments reflects the substantial
growth of the UK business in 2010.
The main items contributing to the significant operating cash inflow are as
follows:
GBPm 2008 2009 2010
Profit after tax 144.9 156.9 193.6
Change in net insurance liabilities 37.6 51.1 129.7
Net change in trade receivables and liabilities (5.8) (4.6) 101.4
Non-cash income statement items 17.2 24.1 25.4
Tax and net interest expense 57.6 58.9 71.9
------------------------
Operating cash flow, before transfers to
investments 251.5 286.4 522.0
The key features to note are:
* Profit after tax increased by 23%, whilst operating cash inflow (before
movements into investments) increased by 82%
* Operating cashflow is significantly higher than prior years due to the
significant increase in the size of the UK Car Insurance business, coupled
with the fact that quota share arrangements are now largely on a funds
withheld basis, meaning the majority of reinsured premium cash remains
within the Group
Other financial items
Taxation
The taxation charge reported in the income statement is GBP71.9 million (2009:
GBP58.9 million), which equates to 27.1% (2009: 27.3%) of profit before tax.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share rose by 23% to 72.3p from 59.0p. The change is in line
with pre- and post-tax profit growth.
Dividends
The Directors have proposed a final dividend for 2010 of 35.5p per share. This
payment is 19% higher than the second interim dividend for 2009 (29.8p) and
brings the total dividend for 2010 to 68.1p (18% higher than the 57.5p paid out
in relation to 2009).
The payment date is 10 June 2011, ex-dividend date 18 May and record date 20
May.
UK Car Insurance Market Review - David Stevens
I'm told that in surfing slang, a 'double-up' occurs when two waves combine to
create an extra powerful wave. In 2010, Admiral enjoyed a 'pumpin double-up', a
high adrenalin combination of continued rapid growth in sales via price
comparison and a dramatic hike in car insurance prices.
The ghastliness of the market results on 2009 (at 123% combined), the exhaustion
of material reserve cushions for most players and the lack of investment income
led some smaller competitors to exit and most bigger ones to increase rates
dramatically during 2010. HSBC closed down their largely broker business with a
valedictory combined ratio of over 200%, and RBSI finally put their broker-
distributed book of private motor out of its misery with the withdrawal of NIG.
The pain wasn't limited to broker-sourced business. Quinn, the higher premium
direct specialist, went into administration in March. More importantly, the
bigger players concluded enough was enough and pushed through a series of rate
increases. Overall new business prices rose by well over 30%, and some
segments, notably younger drivers, saw increases of over 50%.
Our challenge throughout the year was to handle the resulting flood of new
business that came our way, despite our own rapid, if slightly lagging, price
increases. Our own rates rose by just over 25% across new business and renewals
during the year.
The number of vehicles insured by Admiral rose by 32% during 2010. That sort of
growth carries risks in any business, but particularly in an insurance
business. Admiral employed 800 more people at the end of the year than at the
beginning (itself a joy in these difficult economic times). By year end, over a
third of our staff had been with us for less than a year. It is a tribute to
the quality and enthusiasm of our managers, from team managers upwards, and of
those new recruits, that the business has coped so well with this very
substantial increase in its size. An increase in our customer retention ratios,
despite the substantial year-on-year rate increases, and a further reduction in
the average time taken to settle a claim are two examples of the measures that
reassure us that these new staff are reinforcing, and not diluting, our
success. Another source of reassurance is that we gained our highest ever rank
in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For 2011 survey. We came 9(th), up
from 16(th) in 2010.
The rapid growth of the business in 2010 fed through to the bottom line.
There's a strong link between customer numbers and ancillary revenues, so a
record number of policyholders led to our highest ever level of ancillary profit
( GBP142m). Higher volumes and higher average premium per policy (+8% on an earned
basis; +16% on a written basis) helped us to our lowest ever expense ratio, and
to a record underwriting profit of GBP53m. The time lag between our increases in
average written premiums translating into higher average earned premiums, and
our conservative approach to early year reserving means that the profit impact
of an improving claims ratio is yet to impact fully our reported profits.
Ultimately, waves always break - the rate of growth in price comparison sales
will slow, the cycle will always turn. Some of our competitors will rely on the
market-wide cyclical turn to float them back to marginal, and probably
temporary, profitability, but others may have used the shock of recent losses as
a catalyst to reinvent themselves as leaner, cleverer competitors. Our own
challenge will be twofold. Firstly, to be as efficient, as nimble and as
pleasant a place to work while insuring one in every ten cars in the UK, as we
were when we only insured one in every twenty. The second will be to spot the
next wave a-coming and line up the board in preparation.
Confused.com Review - Kevin Chidwick
Q: How did Confused do in 2010?
Confused had a tough time in 2010. The main story of the year was the success
of our competitors TV campaigns and the disappointing results from our own. The
meerkat (Compare the Market) and the opera singer (Go Compare) both delivered
well for their respective companies, whilst at the same time we rolled out
arguably our least successful TV campaign since Confused began. We pulled the
campaign in the middle of the year once the results became apparent, but by then
the damage had been done. Towards the end of the year a new advertising
campaign was working better and we enter 2011 in better shape than we were at
this time last year.
Less than 10 years ago, Confused pretty much created the car insurance price
comparison market and so it was inevitable that its very high market share (and
margins) would be reduced as new players came in. And indeed, this is what has
happened in the last couple of years. But it is a source of disappointment that
we lost as much share as we did and we have to hold our hands up and concede
that at least some of that was of our own making.
Profits fell from GBP25.7m in 2009 to GBP16.9m in 2010. Margins declined as it
became more expensive to get customers and we saw our market share of car
insurance price comparison drop from 27% to 23% during the course of the year.
Q: Is Confused still losing market share?
Towards the end of the year it appeared that Confused's share of car insurance
sales was holding steady. It is not rising, but it has at least stopped
falling. But price comparison customers are demanding and can switch between
price comparison sites easily, so it is a hard battle to hold on to or to win
customers. The quality and appeal of our advertising is important, but in the
long term it is more important that we consistently deliver a product which
gives customers a compelling reason to use Confused. That comes from providing
a comparison service that gives customers a comprehensive range of very
competitive prices for the products they want to compare. And it is also about
providing a customer experience that is straightforward, quick, and easy to use.
We are very focused on the quality of the customer experience with the Confused
website. We have a number of initiatives in place to improve that process and
we hope our customers will notice the difference. We are also actively working
on improving the competitiveness of the prices our customers see when they get
their quotes and also the breadth of providers on the panels.
Q: How are non-car insurance products performing for Confused?
The revenue from products other than car insurance is typically around 20-25% of
Confused's total income, and they remain pretty stable at this level. The main
contributors are home insurance, other insurance lines and energy products.
Q: How is the new marketing campaign doing?
It is early days, but so far so good. We are encouraged by the results since the
new Confused advertising campaign launched at the end of last year, but it is
still too early to say whether it will be truly successful or not.
It is fair to say that 2010 has been a tough year for Confused. But the
business remains profitable with good margins and a significant position in its
market. It provides a great service for millions of customers every year and is
a well known and well liked brand. It is an important part of the Admiral Group
and has, I believe, with good management and some luck, a great future.
Consolidated income statement
Year ended:
31 December 2010 31 December 2009
Note: GBPm GBPm
Insurance premium revenue 574.6 386.4
Insurance premium ceded to
reinsurers (286.5) (174.5)
-----------------------------------
Net insurance premium revenue 5 288.1 211.9
Other revenue 6 276.2 232.6
Profit commission 7 67.0 54.2
Investment and interest income 8 9.5 8.8
-----------------------------------
Net revenue 640.8 507.5
Insurance claims and claims handling
expenses (416.7) (283.1)
Insurance claims and claims handling
expenses recoverable from reinsurers 208.2 131.4
-----------------------------------
Net insurance claims (208.5) (151.7)
Operating expenses 9,10 (151.8) (130.8)
Share scheme charges 9, 26 (15.0) (9.2)
-----------------------------------
Total expenses (375.3) (291.7)
Profit before tax 265.5 215.8
Taxation expense 12 (71.9) (58.9)
-----------------------------------
Profit after tax 193.6 156.9
-----------------------------------
Profit after tax attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 193.8 156.9
Non-controlling interests (0.2) -
-----------------------------------
193.6 156.9
-----------------------------------
Earnings per share:
Basic 14 72.3p 59.0p
-----------------------------------
Diluted 14 72.2p 59.0p
-----------------------------------
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Dividends declared and paid (total) 13 164.7 142.4|
| |
|Dividends declared and paid (per 13 |
|share) 62.4p 54.2p|
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Year ended:
31 December 2010 31 December 2009
GBPm GBPm
Profit for the period 193.6 156.9
Other comprehensive income
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign operations (0.8) (5.3)
----------------------------------
Other comprehensive income for the
period, net of income tax (0.8) (5.3)
----------------------------------
Total comprehensive income
for the period 192.8 151.6
----------------------------------
Total comprehensive income for the
period attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent 193.0 151.6
Non-controlling interests (0.2) -
----------------------------------
192.8 151.6
----------------------------------
Consolidated statement of financial position
As at:
31 December 2010 31 December 2009
Note: GBPm GBPm
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment 15 13.6 12.1
Intangible assets 16 82.9 77.0
Reinsurance assets 18 357.0 212.9
Financial assets 17 1,004.7 630.9
Deferred income tax 24 12.4 -
Trade and other receivables 17, 19 47.9 32.7
Cash and cash equivalents 17, 20 246.7 211.8
Assets held for sale 15, 21 1.5 -
----------------------------------
Total assets 1,766.7 1,177.4
----------------------------------
EQUITY
Share capital 26 0.3 0.3
Share premium account 13.1 13.1
Other reserves 4.2 5.0
Retained earnings 332.7 281.8
----------------------------------
Total equity attributable to equity
holders of the parent 350.3 300.2
Non-controlling interests 0.4 0.6
----------------------------------
Total equity 350.7 300.8
----------------------------------
LIABILITIES
Insurance contracts 18 806.6 532.9
Deferred income tax 24 - 5.7
Trade and other payables 17, 22 561.0 306.8
Current tax liabilities 48.4 31.2
----------------------------------
Total liabilities 1,416.0 876.6
----------------------------------
Total equity and total liabilities 1,766.7 1,177.4
----------------------------------
Consolidated cash flow statement
31 31
December December
Note 2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Profit after tax 9 193.6 156.9
Adjustments for non-cash items:
- Depreciation 4.6 5.1
- Amortisation of software 2.7 2.2
- Change in unrealised gains on investments (1.3) 0.2
- Other gains and losses 0.9 2.9
- Share scheme charge 26 18.5 13.7
Change in gross insurance contract liabilities 273.7 93.4
Change in reinsurance assets (144.0) (42.3)
Change in trade and other receivables, including from
policyholders (152.9) (41.1)
Change in trade and other payables, including tax and
social security 254.3 36.5
Taxation expense 71.9 58.9
------------------
Cash flows from operating activities, before movements in
investments 522.0 286.4
Net cash flow into investments (240.8) (10.5)
------------------
Cash flows from operating activities, net of movements in
investments 281.2 275.9
Taxation payments (69.5) (49.1)
------------------
Net cash flow from operating activities 211.7 226.8
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and software (11.1) (11.8)
------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (11.1) (11.8)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital element of new finance leases 0.4 1.4
Repayment of finance lease liabilities (0.6) (1.2)
Equity dividends paid 13 (164.7) (142.4)
------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (164.9) (142.2)
------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 35.7 72.8
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 211.8 144.3
Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates (0.8) (5.3)
------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 20 246.7 211.8
------------------
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Share Foreign Retained
Share premium exchange profit Non-controlling Total
capital account reserve and loss interests equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
At 1 January 2009 0.3 13.1 10.3 251.8 - 275.5
Profit for the period - - - 156.9 - 156.9
Other comprehensive
income
Currency translation
differences - - (5.3) - - (5.3)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total comprehensive
income for the period - - (5.3) 156.9 - 151.6
----------------------------------------------------------
Transactions with
equity-holders
Dividends - - - (142.4) - (142.4)
Issue of shares to
non-controlling
interests - - - - 0.6 0.6
Share scheme credit - - - 13.7 - 13.7
Deferred tax charge on
share scheme credit - - - 1.8 - 1.8
----------------------------------------------------------
Total transactions
with equity-holders - - - (126.9) 0.6 (126.3)
----------------------------------------------------------
As at 31 December 2009 0.3 13.1 5.0 281.8 0.6 300.8
----------------------------------------------------------
At 1 January 2010 0.3 13.1 5.0 281.8 0.6 300.8
Profit for the period - - - 193.8 (0.2) 193.6
Other comprehensive
income
Currency translation
differences - - (0.8) - - (0.8)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total comprehensive
income for the
period - - (0.8) 193.8 (0.2) 192.8
----------------------------------------------------------
Transactions with
equity-holders
Dividends - - - (164.7) - (164.7)
Share scheme credit - - - 18.5 - 18.5
Deferred tax credit on
share scheme credit - - - 3.3 - 3.3
----------------------------------------------------------
Total transactions
with equity-holders - - - (142.9) - (142.9)
----------------------------------------------------------
As at 31 December 2010 0.3 13.1 4.2 332.7 0.4 350.7
----------------------------------------------------------
Notes to the financial statements
1. General information and basis of preparation
General information
Admiral Group plc is a Company incorporated in England and Wales. Its
registered office is at Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff CF10 3AZ and its
shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The consolidated financial statements comprise the results and balances of the
Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the Group) for the year
ended 31 December 2010 and comparative figures for the year ended 31 December
2009. The financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries are consolidated
in the Group financial statements. The Company controls 100% of the voting
share capital of all its principal subsidiaries. The Parent Company financial
statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and not
about its Group. In accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS)
24, transactions or balances between Group companies that have been eliminated
on consolidation are not reported as related party transactions in the
consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared and approved by the
Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
as adopted by the European Union (EU). The Company has elected to prepare its
Parent Company financial statements in accordance with UK Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice (GAAP).
Adoption of new and revised standards
The Group has applied all adopted IFRS and interpretations endorsed by the EU at
31 December 2010, including all amendments to extant standards that are not
effective until later accounting periods.
There are a number of standards, amendments to standards and interpretations
that were issued by 31 December 2010 but have either yet to be endorsed by the
EU, or were endorsed shortly after the year end. These are as follows:
* IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
* Amendments to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures
* Improvements to IFRSs (Issued May 2010)
* Deferred tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets (Amendments to IAS 12)
* Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-Time Adopters
(Amendments to IFRS 1)
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments is the only new standard, all the others being
improvements, amendments to standards, interpretations or revisions of current
standards.
This standard was issued in November 2009 by the IASB and focuses on the
classification and measurement of financial instruments. Under the new standard
only two possible classifications arise, rather than the four existing
classifications currently available under IAS 39, and will result in all
financial assets being valued at amortised cost or fair value. This includes an
option to measure equities at fair value, but with movements in fair value taken
to the Other comprehensive income statement with no-recycling of realised gains.
Based on the Group's current financial assets, which are all held at fair value
through profit or loss which will continue to be a valid classification under
IFRS 9, this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Group's
financial statements in future periods.
In addition, it is not anticipated that any of the other improvements,
amendments to standards, interpretations or revisions of current standards above
will have a material impact on the Group's financial statements in future
periods.
The following IFRS have been adopted and applied by the Group for the first time
in these financial statements:
* Amendment to IAS 32 Classification of Rights Issues
* Revised IAS24 Related Party Disclosures
* Improvements to IFRSs (Issued April 2009)
* Amendments to IFRS 2 Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions.
* Amendments to IFRS 1 Additional exemptions for First Time adopters
* Amendments to IFRS1 Limited Exemption from Comparative IFRS 7 disclosures
for First Time adopters
* Amendments to IFRIC 14 Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement
* IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments
* IFRIC 12 Service concession arrangements
* IFRIC 15 Agreements for the Construction of real estate
* IFRIC 16 Hedges of a Net Investment of a Foreign Operation
* IFRIC 17 Distribution of non cash assets to owners
* IFRIC 18 Transfer of assets from customers
None of these standards or interpretations adopted for the first time have had a
material impact on the consolidated financial results or position of the Group
for the year ended 31 December 2010.
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. In considering the
appropriateness of this assumption, the Board have reviewed the Group's
projections for the next twelve months and beyond, including cash flow forecasts
and regulatory capital surpluses. The Group has no debt.
As a result of this review the Directors have satisfied themselves that it is
appropriate to prepare these financial statements on a going concern basis.
The accounting policies set out in note 3 to the financial statements have,
unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in
these Group financial statements.
The financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis, except for
the revaluation of financial assets classified as at fair value through profit
or loss.
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the
Group has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and
operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
In assessing control, potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or
convertible are taken into account. The financial statements of subsidiaries
are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control
commences until the date that control ceases.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with adopted IFRS requires
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income
and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical
experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under
the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements
about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an
ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the year in
which the estimate is reviewed if this revision affects only that year, or in
the year of the revision and future years if the revision affects both current
and future years.
2. Critical accounting judgements and estimates
Judgements:
In applying the Group's accounting policies as described in note 3, management
has primarily applied judgement in the classification of the Group's contracts
with reinsurers as quota share reinsurance contracts. A contract is required to
transfer significant insurance risk in order to be classified as such.
Management reviews all terms and conditions of the contract, and if necessary
obtains the opinion of an independent expert at the negotiation stage in order
to be able to make these judgements.
Estimation techniques used in calculation of claims provisions:
Estimation techniques are used in the calculation of the provisions for claims
outstanding, which represent a projection of the ultimate cost of settling
claims that have occurred prior to the balance sheet date and remain unsettled
at the balance sheet date.
The key area where these techniques are used relates to the ultimate cost of
reported claims. A secondary area relates to the emergence of claims that
occurred prior to the balance sheet date, but had not been reported at that
date.
The estimates of the ultimate cost of reported claims are based on the setting
of claim provisions on a case-by-case basis, for all but the simplest of claims.
The sum of these provisions are compared with projected ultimate costs using a
variety of different projection techniques (including incurred and paid chain
ladder and an average cost of claim approach) to allow an actuarial assessment
of their likely accuracy. They include allowance for unreported claims.
The most significant sensitivity in the use of the projection techniques arises
from any future step change in claims costs, which would cause future claim cost
inflation to deviate from historic trends. This is most likely to arise from a
change in the regulatory or judicial regime that leads to an increase in awards
or legal costs for bodily injury claims that is significantly above or below the
historical trend.
The claims provisions are subject to independent review by the Group's actuarial
advisors. Management's reserving policy is to reserve at a level above best
estimate assumptions to allow for unforeseen adverse claims development. For
further detail on objectives, policies and procedures for managing insurance
risk, refer to note 18 of the financial statements.
Future changes in claims reserves also impact profit commission income, as the
recognition of this income is dependent on the loss ratio booked in the
financial statements, and cash receivable is dependent on actuarial projections
of ultimate loss ratios.
3. Significant accounting policies
a) Revenue recognition
Premiums, ancillary income and profit commission:
Premiums relating to insurance contracts are recognised as revenue
proportionally over the period of cover. Premiums with an inception date after
the end of the period are held in the statement of financial position as
deferred revenue. Outstanding collections from policyholders on deferred revenue
are recognised within policyholder receivables.
Revenue earned on the sale of ancillary products and revenue from policies paid
by instalments is credited to the income statement over the period matching the
Group's obligations to provide services. Where the Group has no remaining
contractual obligations, the revenue is recognised immediately. An allowance is
made for expected cancellations where the customer may be entitled to a refund
of ancillary amounts charged.
Under some of the co-insurance and reinsurance contracts under which motor
premiums are shared or ceded, profit commission may be earned on a particular
year of account, which is usually subject to performance criteria such as loss
ratios and expense ratios. The commission is dependent on the ultimate outcome
of any year, with revenue being recognised when loss and expense ratios used in
the preparation of the financial statements, move below an agreed threshold.
Revenue from Price Comparison and Gladiator:
Commission from these activities is credited to revenue on the sale of the
underlying insurance policy.
Investment income:
Investment income from financial assets comprises interest income and net gains
(both realised and unrealised) on financial assets classified as fair value
through profit and loss and interest income on held to maturity deposits.
b) Foreign currency translation
Functional and presentation currency
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group's entities are
measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the
entity operates ('the functional currency'). The consolidated financial
statements are presented in thousands of pounds sterling, which is the Group's
presentation currency.
Transactions and balances
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using
the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign
exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions,
and from the translation at year end exchange rates of monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income
statement.
Translation differences on non-monetary items, such as equities held at fair
value through profit or loss, are reported as part of the fair value gain or
loss.
Translation of financial statements of foreign operations
The financial statements of foreign operations whose functional currency is not
pounds sterling are translated into the Group presentation currency (sterling)
as follows:
(i) Assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented
are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;
(ii) Income and expenses for each income statement are
translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable
approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the
transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the date
of the transaction); and
(iii) All resulting exchange differences are recognised in other
comprehensive income and in a separate component of equity.
On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount recognised in equity
relating to that particular operation is recognised in the income statement.
c) Insurance contracts and reinsurance assets
Premiums:
The proportion of premium receivable on in-force policies relating to unexpired
risks is reported in insurance contract liabilities and reinsurance assets as
the unearned premium provision - gross and reinsurers' share respectively.
Claims:
Claims and claims handling expenses are charged as incurred, based on the
estimated direct and indirect costs of settling all liabilities arising on
events occurring up to the balance sheet date.
The provision for claims outstanding comprises provisions for the estimated cost
of settling all claims incurred but unpaid at the balance sheet date, whether
reported or not. Anticipated reinsurance recoveries are disclosed separately as
assets.
Whilst the Directors consider that the gross provisions for claims and the
related reinsurance recoveries are fairly stated on the basis of the information
currently available to them, the ultimate liability will vary as a result of
subsequent information and events and may result in significant adjustments to
the amounts provided.
Adjustments to the amounts of claims provisions established in prior years are
reflected in the income statement for the period in which the adjustments are
made and disclosed separately if material. The methods used, and the estimates
made, are reviewed regularly.
Provision for unexpired risks is made where necessary for the estimated amount
required over and above unearned premiums (net of deferred acquisition costs) to
meet future claims and related expenses.
Co-insurance:
The Group has entered into certain co-insurance contracts under which insurance
risks are shared on a proportional basis, with the co-insurer taking a specific
percentage of premium written and being responsible for the same proportion of
each claim. As the contractual liability is several and not joint, neither the
premiums nor claims relating to the co-insurance are included in the income
statement. Under the terms of these agreements the co-insurers reimburse the
Group for the same proportionate share of the costs of acquiring and
administering the business.
Reinsurance assets:
Contracts entered into by the Group with reinsurers under which the Group is
compensated for losses on the insurance contracts issued by the Group are
classified as reinsurance contracts. A contract is only accounted for as a
reinsurance contract where there is significant insurance risk transfer between
the insured and the insurer.
The benefits to which the Group is entitled under these contracts are held as
reinsurance assets.
The Group assesses its reinsurance assets for impairment on a regular basis, and
in detail every six months. If there is objective evidence that the asset is
impaired, then the carrying value will be written down to its recoverable
amount.
d) Intangible assets
Goodwill:
All business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method. Goodwill
has been recognised in acquisitions of subsidiaries, and represents the
difference between the cost of the acquisition and the fair value of the net
identifiable assets acquired.
The classification and accounting treatment of acquisitions occurring before 1
January 2004 have not been reconsidered in preparing the Group's opening IFRS
balance sheet at 1 January 2004 due to the exemption available in IFRS 1 (First
time adoption). In respect of acquisitions prior to 1 January 2004, goodwill is
included at the transition date on the basis of its deemed cost, which
represents the amount recorded under UK GAAP, which was tested for impairment at
the transition date. On transition, amortisation of goodwill has ceased as
required by IAS 38.
Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is
allocated to cash generating units (CGU's) according to business segment and is
reviewed annually for impairment.
The Goodwill held on the balance sheet at 31 December 2010 is allocated solely
to the UK car insurance segment.
Impairment of goodwill:
The annual impairment review involves comparing the carrying amount to the
estimated recoverable amount (by allocating the goodwill to CGU's) and
recognising an impairment loss if the recoverable amount is lower. Impairment
losses are recognised through the income statement and are not subsequently
reversed.
The recoverable amount is the greater of the fair value of the asset less costs
to sell and the value in use of the CGU.
The value in use calculations use cash flow projections based on financial
budgets approved by management covering a three year period. Cash flows beyond
this period are considered, but not included in the calculation. The discount
rate applied to the cashflow projections in the value in use calculations is
11.5 % (2009: 8.9%), based on the Group's weighted average cost of capital,
which is in line with the market (source: Bloomberg).
The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are those regarding
growth rates and expected changes in pricing and expenses incurred during the
period. Management estimates growth rates and changes in pricing based on past
practices and expected future changes in the market.
The headroom above the goodwill carrying value is very significant, and there is
no foreseeable event that would eliminate this margin.
Deferred acquisition costs:
Acquisition costs comprise all direct and indirect costs arising from the
conclusion of insurance contracts. Deferred acquisition costs represent the
proportion of acquisition costs incurred that corresponds to the unearned
premiums provision at the balance sheet date. This balance is held as an
intangible asset. It is amortised over the term of the contract as premium is
earned.
Software:
Purchased software is recognised as an intangible asset and amortised over its
expected useful life (generally between two and four years). The carrying value
is reviewed every six months for evidence of impairment, with the value being
written down if any impairment exists. Impairment may be reversed if conditions
subsequently improve.
e) Property, plant and equipment and depreciation
All property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method to
write off the cost less residual values of the assets over their useful economic
lives. These useful economic lives are as follows:
Motor vehicles - 4 years
Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 4 years
Computer equipment - 2 to 4 years
Improvements to short leasehold properties - 4 years
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
In the case of property plant and equipment, carrying values are reviewed at
each balance sheet date to determine whether there are any indications of
impairment. If any such indications exist, the asset's recoverable amount is
estimated and compared to the carrying value. The carrying value is the higher
of the fair value of the asset, less costs to sell and the asset's value in
use. Impairment losses are recognised through the income statement.
f) Leased assets
The rental costs relating to assets held under operating leases are charged to
the income statement on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.
Leases under the terms of which the Group assumes substantially all of the risks
and rewards of ownership are classed as finance leases. Assets acquired under
finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment at fair value on
acquisition and are depreciated in the same manner as equivalent owned assets.
Finance lease and hire purchase obligations are included in creditors, and the
finance costs are spread over the periods of the agreements based on the net
amount outstanding.
g) Financial assets - investments and receivables
Initial recognition
Financial assets within the scope of IAS 39 are classified as financial assets
at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables or held to maturity
investments. The Group has not held any derivative instruments in the years
ending 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009.
At initial recognition assets are recognised at fair value and classified
according to the purpose for which they were acquired:
The Group's investments in money market liquidity funds are designated as
financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) at inception.
This designation is permitted under IAS 39, as the investments in money market
funds are managed as a group of assets and internal performance evaluation of
this group is conducted on a fair value basis.
The Group's deposits with credit institutions are classified as held to maturity
investments, which is consistent with the intention for which they were
purchased.
Subsequent measurement
Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or
loss recognised through the income statement.
Deposits with fixed maturities, classified as held to maturity investments are
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Movements in the
amortised cost are recognised through the income statement, as are any
impairment losses.
Loans and receivables are stated at their amortised cost less impairment using
the effective interest method. Impairment losses are recognised through the
income statement.
Impairment of financial assets
The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether any financial assets or
groups of financial assets held at amortised cost, are impaired. Financial
assets are impaired where there is evidence that one or more events occurring
after the initial recognition of the asset, may lead to a reduction in the
estimated future cashflows arising from the asset.
Objective evidence of impairment may include default on cashflows due from the
asset and reported financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty.
Derecognition of financial assets
A financial asset is derecognised when the rights to receive cashflows from that
asset have expired or when the Group transfers the asset and all the attaching
substantial risks and rewards relating to the asset, to a third party.
h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with
banks, and other short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or
less.
i) Share capital
Shares are classified as equity when there is no obligation to transfer cash or
other assets.
j) Employee benefits
Pensions:
The Group contributes to a number of defined contribution personal pension plans
for its employees. The contributions payable to these schemes are charged in
the accounting period to which they relate.
Employee share schemes:
The Group operates a number of equity settled compensation schemes for its
employees. For schemes commencing 1 January 2004 and after, the fair value of
the employee services received in exchange for the grant of free shares under
the schemes is recognised as an expense, with a corresponding increase in
equity.
The total charge expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to
the fair value of the free shares granted as determined at the grant date
(excluding the impact of non-market vesting conditions). Non-market conditions
such as profitability targets as well as staff attrition rates are included in
assumptions over the number of free shares to vest under the applicable scheme.
At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its assumptions on the number of
shares to be granted with the impact of any change in the assumptions recognised
through income.
Refer to note 26 for further details on share schemes.
k) Taxation
Income tax on the profit or loss for the periods presented comprises current and
deferred tax.
Current tax:
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the period,
using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance
sheet date, and includes any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous
periods.
Current tax related to items recognised in other comprehensive income is also
recognised in other comprehensive income and not in the income statement.
Deferred tax:
Deferred tax is provided in full using the balance sheet liability method,
providing for temporary differences arising between the carrying amount of
assets and liabilities for accounting purposes, and the amounts used for
taxation purposes. It is calculated at the tax rates that have been enacted or
substantially enacted by the balance sheet date, or that are expected to apply
in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised.
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that
future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be
utilised.
The principal temporary differences arise from depreciation of property and
equipment and share scheme charges. The resulting deferred tax is charged or
credited in the income statement, except in relation to share scheme charges
where the amount of tax benefit credited to the income statement is limited to
an equivalent credit calculated on the accounting charge. Any excess is
recognised directly in equity.
l) Government grants
Government grants are recognised in the financial statements in the period where
it becomes reasonably certain that the conditions attaching to the grant will be
met, and that the grant will be received.
Grants relating to assets are deducted from the carrying amount of the asset.
The grant is therefore recognised as income over the life of the depreciable
asset by way of a reduced depreciation charge.
Grants relating to income are shown as a deduction in the reported expense.
m) Non-current assets held for sale
Non-current assets that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale or
distribution rather than continuing use are classified as held for sale.
Immediately before classification as held for sale, the assets are remeasured in
accordance with the Group's accounting policies, and thereafter are measured at
the lower of their carrying value and fair value less costs to sell. Impairment
losses on initial classification as held for sale and subsequent gains or losses
on remeasurement are recognised in the income statement. Gains are not
recognised in excess of any cumulative impairment loss.
4. Operating segments
The Group has four reportable segments, as described below. These segments
represent the principal split of business that is regularly reported to the
Group's Board of Directors, which is considered to be the Group's chief
operating decision maker in line with IFRS 8, operating segments.
UK Car Insurance
The segment consists of the underwriting of car insurance and the generation of
ancillary income in the UK. The Directors consider the results of these
activities to be reportable as one segment as the activities carried out in
generating the income are not independent of each other and are performed as one
business. This mirrors the approach taken in management reporting.
Non-UK Car Insurance
The segment consists of the underwriting of car insurance and the generation of
ancillary income outside of the UK. It specifically covers the Group operations
Balumba in Spain, ConTe in Italy and Elephant Auto in the USA. None of these
operations are reportable on an individual basis, based on the threshold
requirements in IFRS 8.
The results of our German car insurance business, AdmiralDirekt, which was sold
in early 2011 are included in this segment.
Price Comparison
The segment relates to the Group's price comparison websites Confused.com in the
UK, Rastreator in Spain, LeLynx in France and Chiarezza in Italy. LeLynx and
Chiarezza were launched in 2010, and are therefore included in this price
comparison segment for the first time. Each of the Price Comparison businesses
are operating in individual geographical segments but are grouped into one
reporting segment as LeLynx, Chiarezza and Rastreator do not individually meet
the threshold requirements in IFRS 8.
Other
The 'Other' segment is designed to be comprised all other operating segments
that do not meet the threshold requirements for individual reporting. Currently
there is only one such segment, the Gladiator commercial van insurance broking
operation, and so it is the results and balances of this operation comprises the
'other' segment.
Taxes are not allocated across the segments and, as with the corporate
activities, are included in the reconciliation to the Consolidated Income
Statement and Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
Segment income, results and other information
An analysis of the Group's revenue and results for the year ended 31 December
2010, by reportable segment are shown below. The accounting policies of the
reportable segments are consistent with those presented in note 3 for the Group.
31 December 2010
UK Car Non-UK Car Price Eliminations Segment
Insurance Insurance Comparison Other total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Turnover* 1,419.7 77.6 75.7 11.8 - 1,584.8
Net insurance
premium revenue 269.4 18.7 - - - 288.1
Other revenue
and profit
commission 249.0 6.7 75.7 11.8 - 343.2
Investment and
interest income 8.3 0.1 - - - 8.4
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net revenue 526.7 25.5 75.7 11.8 - 639.7
Net insurance
claims (192.6) (15.9) - - - (208.5)
Expenses (58.3) (17.6) (63.6) (9.1) - (148.6)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Segment profit
/ (loss) before
tax 275.8 (8.0) 12.1 2.7 - 282.6
---------------------------------------------------------------
Other central revenue and expenses, including share scheme
charges (18.2)
Interest income 1.1
---------
Consolidated profit before
tax 265.5
Taxation
expense (71.9)
---------
Consolidated profit after tax 193.6
---------
Other segment
items:
Capital
expenditure 6.8 1.7 2.6 0.1 - 11.2
Depreciation
and
amortisation 20.7 0.7 9.0 0.3 - 30.7
---------------------------------------------------------------
*Turnover is a non-GAAP measure and consists of total premiums written
(including co-insurers share) and other revenue.
Revenue and results for the corresponding reportable segments for the year ended
31 December 2009 are shown below.
31 December 2009
UK Car Non-UK Car Price Eliminations Segment
Insurance Insurance Comparison Other total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Turnover* 939.1 47.2 80.5 10.6 - 1,077.4
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net insurance
premium revenue 199.1 12.8 - - - 211.9
Other revenue
and profit
commission 188.6 4.2 80.5 10.6 - 283.9
Investment and
interest income 7.5 0.2 - - - 7.7
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net revenue 395.2 17.2 80.5 10.6 - 503.5
Net insurance
claims (138.7) (13.0) - - - (151.7)
Expenses (49.6) (13.7) (55.6) (8.2) - (127.1)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Segment profit
/ (loss) before
tax 206.9 (9.5) 24.9 2.4 - 224.7
---------------------------------------------------------------
Other central revenue and expenses, including share scheme
charges (10.0)
Interest income 1.1
--------
Consolidated profit before
tax 215.8
Taxation
expense (58.9)
--------
Consolidated profit after tax 156.9
--------
Other segment
items:
Capital
expenditure 6.3 0.7 4.1 0.7 - 11.8
Depreciation
and
amortisation 9.9 0.5 4.3 0.2 - 14.9
---------------------------------------------------------------
*Turnover is a non-GAAP measure and consists of total premiums written
(including co-insurers share) and other revenue.
Segment revenues
The UK and Non-UK Car Insurance reportable segments derive all insurance premium
income from external policyholders. Revenue within these segments is not derived
from an individual policyholder that represents 10% or more of the Group's total
revenue.
The total of Price Comparison revenues from transactions with other reportable
segments is GBP15.0m (2009: GBP13.3m). These amounts have not been eliminated in
order to avoid distorting expense and combined ratios which are key performance
indicators for insurance businesses. There are no other transactions between
reportable segments.
Revenues from external customers for products and services is consistent with
the split of reportable segment revenues as shown above.
Information about geographical locations
All material revenues from external customers, and net assets attributed to a
foreign country are shown within the Non-UK Car Insurance reportable segment
shown above. The revenue and results of the three non- UK Price Comparison
businesses, Rastreator, LeLynx and Chiarezza are not yet material enough to be
presented as a separate segment.
Segment assets and liabilities
The identifiable segment assets and liabilities at 31 December 2010 are as
follows.
31 December 2010
Non-UK
UK Car Car Price Segment
Insurance Insurance Comparison Other Eliminations total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Plant, property and
equipment 8.6 2.3 2.1 0.6 - 13.6
Intangible assets 76.0 6.8 0.1 - - 82.9
Reinsurance assets 324.7 32.3 - 357.0
Financial assets 947.3 47.4 - 994.7
Trade and other
receivables 150.5 (4.7) (0.9) 8.5 (105.5) 47.9
Cash and cash
equivalents 90.6 40.3 11.2 3.1 - 145.2
Assets held for sale - 1.5 - - - 1.5
----------------------------------------------------------
Reportable segment
assets 1,597.7 125.9 12.5 12.2 (105.5) 1,642.8
----------------------------------------------------------
Insurance contract
liabilities 752.1 54.5 - - - 806.6
Trade and other
payables 531.5 18.2 6.6 4.7 - 561.0
----------------------------------------------------------
Reportable segment
liabilities 1,283.6 72.7 6.6 4.7 - 1,367.6
----------------------------------------------------------
Reportable segment
net assets 314.1 53.2 5.9 7.5 (105.5) 275.2
----------------------------------------------------------
Unallocated assets
and liabilities 75.5
--------
Consolidated net
assets 350.7
--------
Unallocated assets and liabilities consist of other central assets and
liabilities, plus deferred and current corporation tax balances. These assets
and liabilities are not regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors in the
reportable segment format.
There is an asymmetrical allocation of assets and income to the reportable
segments, in that the interest earned on cash and cash equivalent assets
deployed in the UK Car Insurance, Price Comparison and Non-UK Car Insurance
segments is not allocated in arriving at segment profits. This is consistent
with regular management reporting.
Eliminations represent inter-segment funding and balances included in trade and
other receivables.
The segment assets and liabilities at 31 December 2009 are as follows.
31 December 2009
Non-UK
UK Car Car Price Segment
Insurance Insurance Comparison Other Eliminations total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Plant, property and
equipment 6.3 3.8 1.2 0.8 - 12.1
Intangible assets 71.8 5.1 0.1 - - 77.0
Reinsurance assets 190.9 22.0 - - - 212.9
Financial assets 582.9 48.0 - - - 630.9
Trade and other
receivables 108.8 1.2 16.8 7.7 (101.8) 32.7
Cash and cash
equivalents 112.9 21.2 9.0 0.7 - 143.8
----------------------------------------------------------
Reportable segment
assets 1,073.6 101.3 27.1 9.2 (101.8) 1,109.4
----------------------------------------------------------
Insurance contract
liabilities 497.0 35.9 - - - 532.9
Trade and other
payables 294.4 6.6 2.3 2.9 - 306.2
----------------------------------------------------------
Reportable segment
liabilities 791.4 42.5 2.3 2.9 - 839.1
----------------------------------------------------------
Reportable segment
net assets 282.2 58.8 24.8 6.3 (101.8) 270.3
----------------------------------------------------------
Unallocated assets
and liabilities 30.5
--------
Consolidated net
assets 300.8
--------
5. Net insurance premium revenue
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Total motor insurance premiums before co-insurance 1,308.6 847.7
------------------
Group gross premiums written after co-insurance 738.5 439.9
Outwards reinsurance premiums (380.0) (207.4)
------------------
Net insurance premiums written 358.5 232.5
Change in gross unearned premium provision (163.9) (53.5)
Change in reinsurers' share of unearned premium provision 93.5 32.9
------------------
Net insurance premium revenue 288.1 211.9
------------------
The Group's share of the car insurance business was underwritten by Admiral
Insurance (Gibraltar) Limited, Admiral Insurance Company Limited and Elephant
Insurance Company. All contracts are short-term in duration, lasting for 10 or
12 months.
6. Other revenue
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Ancillary revenue 174.6 129.5
Price comparison revenue 75.7 80.6
Other revenue 25.9 22.5
----------------------
Total other revenue 276.2 232.6
----------------------
Refer to the Business Review for further detail on the sources of revenue.
7. Profit commission
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Total profit commission 67.0 54.2
----------------------
Source of profit commission:
Financial year:
2007 2008 2009 2010
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Underwriting year:
2006 & prior 20.6 26.2 6.0 (0.1)
2007 - 8.5 33.1 7.6
2008 - - 13.5 20.4
2009 - - 1.6 28.2
2010 - - - 10.9
-----------------------------
Total 20.6 34.7 54.2 67.0
-----------------------------
8. Investment and interest income
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Net investment return 8.4 7.7
Interest receivable 1.1 1.1
----------------------
Total investment and interest income 9.5 8.8
----------------------
Interest received during the year was GBP1.1m (2009: GBP1.1m).
9. Operating expenses and share scheme charges
31 December 2010 31 December 2009
Insurance Other Total Insurance Other Total
contracts contracts
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Acquisition of insurance contracts 20.9 - 20.9 17.3 - 17.3
Administration and other marketing
costs 28.0 102.9 130.9 26.0 87.5 113.5
----------------------- ----------------------
Expenses 48.9 102.9 151.8 43.3 87.5 130.8
Share scheme charges - 15.0 15.0 - 9.2 9.2
----------------------- ----------------------
Total expenses and share scheme
charges 48.9 117.9 166.8 43.3 96.7 140.0
----------------------- ----------------------
Analysis of other administration and other marketing costs:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Ancillary sales expenses 26.9 20.0
Price comparison operating expenses 63.6 55.6
Other expenses 12.4 11.9
----------------------
Total 102.9 87.5
----------------------
The GBP28.0m (2009: GBP26.0m) administration and marketing costs allocated to
insurance contracts is principally made up of salary costs.
The gross amount of expenses, before recoveries from co-insurers and reinsurers
is GBP333.2m (2009: GBP265.0m). This amount can be reconciled to the total expenses
and share scheme charges above of GBP167.2m (2009: GBP140.0m) as follows:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Gross expenses 333.2 265.0
Co-insurer share of expenses (99.5) (80.6)
----------------------
Expenses, net of co-insurer share 233.7 184.4
Adjustment for deferral of acquisition costs (7.9) (6.1)
----------------------
Expenses, net of co-insurer share (earned basis) 225.8 178.3
Reinsurer share of expenses (earned basis) (59.0) (38.3)
----------------------
Total expenses and share scheme charges 166.8 140.0
----------------------
Reconciliation of expenses related to insurance contracts to reported Group
expense ratio:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Insurance contract expenses from above 48.9 43.3
Add: claims handling expenses 8.5 5.5
----------------------
Adjusted expenses 57.4 48.8
Net insurance premium revenue 288.1 211.9
Reported expense ratio 19.9% 23.0%
----------------------
10. Staff costs and other expenses
Included in gross expenses, before co-insurance arrangements are the following:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Salaries 92.5 75.9
Social security charges 12.7 10.5
Pension costs 1.3 0.7
Share scheme charges (see note 26) 18.5 13.7
------------------
Total staff expenses 125.0 100.8
------------------
Depreciation charge:
- Owned assets 4.1 3.8
- Leased assets 0.5 1.3
Amortisation charge:
- Software 2.7 2.3
- Deferred acquisition costs 23.4 7.6
Operating lease rentals:
- Buildings 6.4 5.7
Auditor's remuneration:
- Fees payable for the audit of the Company's annual
accounts - -
- Fees payable for the audit of the Company's subsidiary
accounts 0.2 0.2
- Fees payable for other services 0.2 0.1
Net foreign exchange losses 0.8 0.2
-------------------
Analysis of fees paid to the auditor for other services:
Tax services 0.1 0.1
Other services 0.1 -
-------------------
Total as above 0.2 0.1
-------------------
The amortisation of software and deferred acquisition cost assets is charged to
expenses in the income statement.
11. Staff numbers (including Directors)
Average for the year
2010 2009
Number Number
Direct customer contact staff 3,280 2,695
Support staff 972 846
-----------------------
Total 4,252 3,541
-----------------------
12. Taxation
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Current tax
Corporation tax on profits for the year 87.4 63.0
Over provision relating to prior periods (0.7) (1.2)
------------------
Current tax charge 86.7 61.8
Deferred tax
Current period deferred taxation movement (15.3) (2.8)
Under / (over) provision relating to prior periods -
deferred tax 0.5 (0.1)
------------------
Total tax charge per income statement 71.9 58.9
------------------
Factors affecting the total tax charge are:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Profit before tax 265.5 215.8
------------------
Corporation tax thereon at UK corporation tax rate of 28% 74.3 60.4
Expenses and provisions not deductible for tax purposes (0.1) (0.6)
Difference in tax rates 0.2 -
Other differences (2.4) 0.3
Adjustments relating to prior periods (0.1) (1.2)
------------------
Tax charge for the period as above 71.9 58.9
------------------
13. Dividends
Dividends were declared and paid as follows.
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
March 2009 (26.5p per share, paid May 2009) - 69.6
August 2009 (27.7p per share, paid October2009) - 72.8
March 2010 (29.8p per share, paid April 2010) 78.3 -
September 2010 (32.6p per share, paid October 2010) 86.4 -
----------------------
Total dividends 164.7 142.4
----------------------
The dividends declared in March represent the final dividends paid in respect of
the 2008 and 2009 financial years. Dividends declared in August 2009 and
September 2010 are interim distributions in respect of 2009 and 2010.
A final dividend of 35.5p per share ( GBP95.3m) has been declared in respect of the
2010 financial year. Refer to the Chairman's statement and Business Review for
further detail.
14. Earnings per share
31 31
December December
2010 2009
Profit for the financial year after taxation ( GBPm) 193.6 156.9
Weighted average number of shares - basic 267,827,176 265,712,457
Unadjusted earnings per share - basic 72.3p 59.0p
Weighted average number of shares - diluted 268,221,829 266,062,457
Unadjusted earnings per share - diluted 72.2p 59.0p
The difference between the basic and diluted number of shares at the end of
2010 (being 394,653; 2009: 350,000) relates to awards committed, but not yet
issued under the Group's share schemes. Refer to note 26 for further detail.
15. Property, plant and equipment
Improvements
to short
leasehold Computer Office Furniture and
buildings equipment equipment fittings Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Cost
At 1 January 2009 4.0 16.8 6.8 2.4 30.0
Additions 1.2 3.6 1.0 0.8 6.6
Disposals (0.2) (0.3) (0.1) - (0.6)
-----------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2009 5.0 20.1 7.7 3.2 36.0
-----------------------------------------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2009 1.9 11.1 4.2 1.8 19.0
Charge for the year 0.9 2.7 1.1 0.4 5.1
Disposals - (0.1) (0.1) - (0.2)
-----------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2009 2.8 13.7 5.2 2.2 23.9
-----------------------------------------------------
Net book amount
At 1 January 2009 2.1 5.7 2.6 0.6 11.0
-----------------------------------------------------
Net book amount
At 31 December 2009 2.2 6.4 2.5 1.0 12.1
-----------------------------------------------------
Cost
At 1 January 2010 5.0 20.1 7.7 3.2 36.0
Additions 0.7 5.4 1.2 0.4 7.7
Disposals - (0.2) - - (0.2)
Transferred to 'assets
classified as held for
sale' (0.5) (1.2) (0.4) (0.2) (2.3)
-----------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2010 5.2 24.1 8.5 3.4 41.2
-----------------------------------------------------
Depreciation
At 1 January 2010 2.8 13.7 5.2 2.2 23.9
Charge for the year 0.9 2.4 0.9 0.4 4.6
Disposals - (0.1) - - (0.1)
Transferred to 'assets
classified as held for
sale' (0.2) (0.5) (0.1) - (0.8)
-----------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2010 3.5 15.5 6.0 2.6 27.6
-----------------------------------------------------
Net book amount
At 31 December 2010 1.7 8.6 2.5 0.8 13.6
-----------------------------------------------------
Assets classified as held
for sale 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.2 1.5
-----------------------------------------------------
Refer to note 21 for details of assets classified as held for sale.
The net book value of assets held under finance leases is as follows:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Computer equipment 1.2 1.6
----------------------
16. Intangible assets
Goodwill Deferred Software Total
acquisition
costs
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
At 1 January 2009 62.3 8.4 5.0 75.7
Additions - 8.6 5.2 13.8
Amortisation charge - (7.6) (2.2) (9.8)
Disposals - - (2.7) (2.7)
---------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2009 62.3 9.4 5.3 77.0
Additions - 28.9 3.4 32.3
Amortisation charge - (23.4) (2.7) (26.1)
Disposals - - (0.3) (0.3)
---------------------------------------------
At 31 December 2010 62.3 14.9 5.7 82.9
---------------------------------------------
Goodwill relates to the acquisition of Group subsidiary EUI Limited (formerly
Admiral Insurance Services Limited) in November 1999. It is allocated solely to
the UK Car Insurance segment. As described in the accounting policies, the
amortisation of this asset ceased on transition to IFRS on 1 January 2004. All
annual impairment reviews since the transition date have indicated that the
estimated recoverable value of the asset is greater than the carrying amount and
therefore no impairment losses have been recognised. Refer to the accounting
policy for goodwill for further information.
17. Financial assets and liabilities
The Group's financial instruments can be analysed as follows:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
Financial assets: GBPm GBPm
Investments held at fair value 363.6 237.7
Held to maturity deposits with credit institutions 299.6 183.5
Receivables - amounts owed by policyholders 341.5 209.7
------------------
Total financial assets per consolidated balance sheet 1,004.7 630.9
Trade and other receivables 47.9 32.7
Cash and cash equivalents 246.7 211.8
------------------
1,299.3 875.4
------------------
Financial liabilities:
Trade and other payables 561.0 306.8
------------------
All receivables from policyholders are due within 12 months of the balance sheet
date.
All investments held at fair value are invested in AAA-rated money market
liquidity funds. These funds target a short term cash return with capital
security and low volatility and continue to achieve these goals.
The approximate fair value of held to maturity deposits is GBP285.0m (2009:
GBP183.5m) based on a calculation to discount expected cashflows arising at the
Group's WACC. The amortised cost carrying amount of receivables is a reasonable
approximation of fair value.
The maturity profile of financial assets and liabilities at fair value is as
follows:
< 1 Year Between 1 > 2 Years
and 2
years
Financial assets: GBPm GBPm GBPm
Investments held at fair value 363.6 - -
Held to maturity deposits with credit institutions 197.3 54.5 33.4
Receivables - amounts owed by policyholders 341.5 - -
-----------------------------
Total financial assets 902.4 54.5 33.4
Trade and other receivables 47.9 - -
Cash and cash equivalents 246.7 - -
-----------------------------
1,197.0 54.5 33.4
-----------------------------
Financial liabilities:
Trade and other payables 561.0 - -
-----------------------------
Objectives, policies and procedures for managing financial assets and
liabilities
The Group's activities expose it primarily to the significant financial risks of
credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and foreign exchange risk. The
Board of Directors has delegated the task of supervising risk management and
internal control to the Risk Management Committee (RMC) and non-UK equivalent
committees. There is also an Investment Committee that makes recommendations to
the Board on the Group's investment strategy.
There are several key elements to the risk management environment throughout the
Group. These are detailed in full in the Corporate Governance statement.
Specific considerations for the risks arising from financial assets and
liabilities are detailed below.
Credit risk
The Group defines credit risk as the risk of loss if another party fails to
perform its obligations or fails to perform them in a timely fashion. The key
areas of exposure to credit risk for the Group result through its reinsurance
programme, investments, bank deposits and policyholder receivables.
Economic and financial market conditions have led the Directors to consider
counterparty exposure more frequently and in significant detail. The Directors
consider that the policies and procedures in place to manage credit exposure
continue to be appropriate for the Group's risk appetite, and no material credit
losses have been experienced by the Group.
There are no specific concentrations of credit risk with respect to investment
counterparties due to the structure of the liquidity funds which invest in a
wide range of very short duration, high quality securities. Cash balances and
deposits are placed only with credit institutions with a financial strength
rating of A or above.
To mitigate the risk arising from exposure to reinsurers (in the form of
reinsurance recoveries and profit commissions), the Group only conducts business
with companies of specified financial strength ratings. In addition, most
reinsurance contracts are operated on a funds withheld basis, which
substantially reduces credit risk.
The other principal form of credit risk is in respect of amounts due from
policyholders, largely due to the potential for default by instalment payers.
The impact of this is mitigated by the large customer base and low average level
of balance recoverable. There is also mitigation by the operation of numerous
high and low level controls in this area, including payment on policy acceptance
as opposed to inception and automated cancellation procedures for policies in
default.
The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk at 31 December 2010 is GBP1,251.4m
(2009: GBP842.7m) being the carrying value of financial assets and cash. The
group does not use credit derivatives or similar instruments to mitigate
exposure. The amount of bad debt expense relating to policyholder debt charged
to the income statement in 2009 and 2010 is insignificant.
There were no significant financial assets that were past due at the close of
either 2010 or 2009.
The Group's credit risk exposure to assets with external ratings is as follows:
31 31
December December
Rating 2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Financial institutions - Money market funds AAA 363.6 237.7
Financial institutions - Credit institutions AA 252.6 85.0
Financial institutions - Credit institutions A 47.0 310.3
Reinsurers A 104.4 96.0
------------------
Interest rate risk
The Group considers interest rate risk to be the risk that unfavourable
movements in interest rates could adversely impact on the capital values of
financial assets and liabilities. This relates primarily to investments held at
fair value.
As noted above, the Group invests in money market liquidity funds, which in turn
invest in a mixture of very short dated fixed and variable rate securities, such
as cash deposits, certificates of deposits, floating rate notes and other
commercial paper.
The funds are not permitted to have an average maturity greater than 60 days and
hence are not subject to large movements in yield and value resulting from
changes in market interest rates (as longer duration fixed income portfolios can
experience). Returns are likely to closely track the LIBID benchmark and hence
while the Group's investment return will vary according to market interest
rates, the capital value of these investment funds will not be impacted by rate
movements. The interest rate risk arising is therefore considered to be
minimal.
The Group also holds a number of fixed rate, longer-term deposits with UK credit
institutions rated 'A' or above. These are classified as held to maturity and
valued at amortised cost. Therefore neither the capital value of the deposits,
or the interest return will be impacted by fluctuations in interest rates.
No sensitivity analysis to interest rates has been presented on the grounds of
materiality.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that the Group does not have sufficient,
available, financial resources to enable it to meet its obligations as they fall
due, or can only secure them at excessive cost.
The Group has traditionally been strongly cash generative due to the large
proportion of revenue arising from non-underwriting activity. Further, as noted
above, a significant portion of insurance funds are invested in money market
liquidity funds with same day liquidity, meaning that a large proportion of the
Group cash and investments are immediately available.
A breakdown of the Group's financial liabilities - trade and other payables is
shown in note 22. In terms of the maturity profile of these liabilities, all
amounts will mature within 3 - 6 months of the balance sheet date except for a
minority of finance lease liabilities which will expire after 12 months. (Refer
to note 23 and the maturity profile at the start of this note for further
detail)
In practice, the Group's Directors expect actual cashflows to be consistent with
this maturity profile except for amounts owed to co-insurers and reinsurers. Of
the total amounts owed to co-insurers and reinsurers of GBP327.4m (2009: GBP154.4m),
GBP213.8m (2009: GBP91.3m) is held under funds withheld arrangements and therefore
not expected to be settled within 12 months.
A maturity analysis for insurance contract liabilities is included in note 18.
The maturity profile for financial assets is included at the start of this note.
The Group's Directors believe that the cashflows arising from these assets will
be consistent with this profile.
Liquidity risk is not, therefore considered to be significant.
Foreign exchange risks
Foreign exchange risks arise from unfavourable movements in foreign exchange
rates that could adversely impact the valuation of overseas assets.
The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk through its expanding operations
overseas. Although the relative size of the European operations means that the
risks are relatively small, increasingly volatile foreign exchange rates result
in larger potential gains or losses. Assets held to fund insurance liabilities
are held in the currency of the liabilities, however surplus assets held as
regulatory capital in foreign currencies remain exposed.
Fair value
The carrying value of all of the Group's financial assets equate to fair value.
For cash at bank and cash deposits, the fair value approximates to the book
value due to their short maturity. For assets held at fair value through profit
and loss, their value equates to level 1 (quoted prices in active markets) of
the fair value hierarchy specified in the amendment to IFRS 7.
18. Reinsurance assets and insurance contract liabilities
A) Objectives, policies and procedures for the management of insurance
risk:
The Group is involved in issuing motor insurance contracts that transfer risk
from policyholders to the Group and its underwriting partners.
Insurance risk primarily involves uncertainty over the occurrence, amount or
timing of claims arising on insurance contracts issued.
The key reserving risk is that the frequency and / or value of the claims
arising exceeds expectation and the value of insurance liabilities established.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of insurance risk,
although as mentioned in note 17, it has delegated the task of supervising risk
management to the Risk Management Committee (RMC) and its overseas equivalents.
The Board implements certain policies in order to mitigate and control the level
of insurance risk accepted by the Group. These include underwriting partnership
arrangements, pricing policies and claims management and administration
policies.
A number of the key elements of these policies and procedures are detailed
below:
i) Co-insurance and reinsurance:
As noted in the Business Review, the Group cedes a significant amount of the
motor insurance business generated to external underwriters. In 2010, 45% of
the risk was shared under a co-insurance contract, under which the primary risk
is borne by the co-insurer.
A further 27.5% was ceded under quota share reinsurance contracts.
As well as these proportional arrangements, an excess of loss reinsurance
programme is also purchased to protect the Group against very large individual
claims and catastrophe losses.
ii) Data driven pricing:
The Group's underwriting philosophy is focused on a sophisticated data-driven
approach to pricing and underwriting and on exploiting the competitive
advantages direct insurers enjoy over traditional insurers through:
* Collating and analysing more comprehensive data from customers;
* Tight control over the pricing guidelines in order to target profitable
business sectors; and
* Fast and flexible responsiveness to data analysis and market trends.
The Group is committed to establishing premium rates that appropriately price
the underwriting risk and exposure. Rates are set utilising a larger than
average number of underwriting criteria.
The Directors believe that there is a strong link between the increase in depth
of data that the Group has been able to collate over time and the lower than
average historic reported loss ratios enjoyed by the Group.
iii) Effective claims management:
The Group adopts various claims management strategies designed to ensure that
claims are paid at an appropriate level and to minimise the expenses associated
with claims management. These include:
* An effective, computerised workflow system (which along with the appropriate
level of resources employed helps reduce the scope for error and avoids
significant backlogs);
* Use of an outbound telephone team to contact third parties aiming to
minimise the potential claims costs and to ensure that more third parties
utilise the Group approved repairers;
* Use of sophisticated and innovative methods to check for fraudulent claims.
Concentration of insurance risk:
The Directors do not believe there are significant concentrations of insurance
risk. This is because, although the Group only writes one line of insurance
business, the risks are spread across a large number of people and a wide
regional base.
B) Sensitivity of recognised amounts to changes in assumptions:
The following table sets out the impact on equity at 31 December 2010 that would
result from a 1 per cent worsening in the UK loss ratios used for each
underwriting year for which material amounts remain outstanding.
Underwriting year
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Booked loss ratio 75% 70% 74% 75% 78%
Impact of 1% change ( GBPm) 2.1 3.6 2.8 3.5 2.8
-----------------------------------
The impact is stated net of reinsurance and includes the change in net insurance
claims along with the associated profit commission movements that result from
changes in loss ratios. The figures are stated net of tax at the current rate.
C) Analysis of recognised amounts:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Gross:
Claims outstanding 434.2 323.5
Unearned premium provision 372.4 209.4
----------------------
Total gross insurance liabilities 806.6 532.9
----------------------
Recoverable from reinsurers:
Claims outstanding 165.2 114.1
Unearned premium provision 191.8 98.8
----------------------
Total reinsurers' share of insurance liabilities 357.0 212.9
----------------------
Net:
Claims outstanding 269.0 209.4
Unearned premium provision 180.6 110.6
----------------------
Total insurance liabilities - net 449.6 320.0
----------------------
The maturity profile of gross insurance liabilities is as follows:
< 1 Year 1 - 3 years > 3 years
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Claims outstanding 130.3 147.6 156.3
Unearned premium provision 372.4 - -
Total gross insurance liabilities 502.7 147.6 156.3
D) Analysis of UK claims incurred
The following tables illustrate the development of net UK Car Insurance claims
incurred for the past five financial periods, including the impact of re-
estimation of claims provisions at the end of each financial year. The first
table shows actual net claims incurred, and the second shows the development of
UK loss ratios. Figures are shown net of reinsurance and are on an underwriting
year basis.
Financial year ended 31 December
Analysis of claims incurred (net 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total
amounts):
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Underwriting year (UK only):
Earlier years (36.0) 26.8 20.6 2.7 1.1
2006 (67.6) (53.1) 10.5 7.9 (1.0) (103.3)
2007 - (67.3) (42.0) 11.6 2.7 (95.0)
2008 - - (89.5) (57.7) 10.2 (137.0)
2009 - - - (96.9) (66.9) (163.8)
2010 - - - - (130.2) (130.2)
-----------------------------------------------
UK net claims incurred (excluding
claims handling costs (103.6) (93.6) (100.4) (132.4) (184.1)
Non-UK net claims incurred - (2.8) (9.5) (13.6) (15.9)
Claims handling costs and other
amounts (3.5) (3.4) (4.7) (5.7) (8.5)
Total net claims incurred (107.1) (99.8) (114.6) (151.7) (208.5)
-----------------------------------------------
Financial year ended 31 December
UK loss ratio development: 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Underwriting year (UK only):
2006 90% 87% 79% 75% 75%
2007 89% 80% 72% 70%
2008 88% 79% 74%
2009 84% 75%
2010 78%
E) Analysis of net claims provision releases (UK business only):
The following table analyses the impact of movements in prior year claims
provisions, in terms of their net value, and their impact on the reported loss
ratio. This data is presented on an underwriting year basis.
Financial year ended 31 December
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Underwriting year:
2000 1.1 0.7 0.4 0.4 -
2001 1.9 1.5 0.5 0.5 -
2002 2.3 1.3 - 0.3 0.3
2003 5.1 3.2 2.3 1.2 -
2004 7.9 7.6 6.4 (1.6) 0.8
2005 2.6 12.6 11.0 1.8 -
2006 - 2.6 10.5 7.9 (1.0)
2007 - - 6.9 11.6 2.7
2008 - - - 9.2 10.3
2009 - - - - 10.4
----------------------------------------
Total net release 20.9 29.5 38.0 31.3 23.5
Net premium revenue 145.0 142.2 169.8 211.9 288.1
Release as % of net premium revenue 14.4% 20.7% 22.4% 14.8% 8.2%
Profit commission is analysed in note 7.
F) Reconciliation of movement in net claims provision:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Net claims provision at start of period 209.4 178.5
Net claims incurred 199.9 146.2
Net claims paid (140.3) (115.3)
----------------------
Net claims provision at end of period 269.0 209.4
----------------------
G) Reconciliation of movement in net unearned premium provision:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Net unearned premium provision at start of period 110.6 90.5
Written in the period 358.5 232.5
Earned in the period (288.5) (212.4)
----------------------
Net unearned premium provision at end of period 180.6 110.6
----------------------
H) Other disclosures:
The Directors are aware that the Ministry of Justice has been reviewing the
discount rate used in the calculation of damages awards in bodily injury and
fatal claims in the UK (the Ogden tables). Whilst an announcement is expected
imminently, at the date the financial statements were approved the discount rate
used in these calculations remained at 2.5%.
Including an allowance for the estimated impact of a significant reduction in
the discount rate, the Directors remain satisfied that the selected reserves
included in the financial statements provide an appropriate and consistent
margin over projected ultimate loss ratios.
19. Trade and other receivables
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Trade receivables 47.9 32.5
Prepayments and accrued income - 0.2
----------------------
Total trade and other receivables 47.9 32.7
----------------------
20. Cash and cash equivalents
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Cash at bank and in hand 246.7 191.8
Cash on short term deposit - 20.0
----------------------
Total cash and cash equivalents 246.7 211.8
----------------------
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with
banks, and other short-term deposits with original maturities of three months or
less.
21. Non-current assets held for sale
On 6 January 2011, the Group disclosed that following exclusive discussions, it
had sold its German operation, AdmiralDirekt, to Itzehoer Versicherung
('Itzehoer'). The insurance contracts generated by AdmiralDirekt and
underwritten by the Group in 2011 will be fully reinsured by Itzehoer, and it is
intended to transfer 2011 and prior year underwriting business to Itzehoer
subject to regulatory and court approval.
At the balance sheet date, a disposal group consisting of property, plant and
equipment assets belonging to the AdmiralDirekt operation were separately
classified as held for sale. The carrying amount of these assets is lower than
the fair value of the assets less costs to sell and therefore no impairment loss
has been recognised on the reclassification. No other assets or liabilities of
the AdmiralDirekt operation are included in the sale.
The results of the AdmiralDirekt operation in 2010 are not material to the
results of the Group and have not therefore been separately presented. The
results and balances of AdmiralDirekt are included in the Non-UK Car Insurance
segment in note 4.
22. Trade and other payables
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Trade payables 13.3 10.7
Amounts owed to co-insurers and reinsurers 327.4 154.4
Finance leases due within 12 months 0.2 0.3
Finance leases due after 12 months - 0.1
Other taxation and social security liabilities 16.5 10.9
Other payables 59.7 29.1
Accruals and deferred income (see below) 143.9 101.3
----------------------
Total trade and other payables 561.0 306.8
----------------------
Of amounts owed to co-insurers and reinsurers, GBP213.8m (2009: GBP93.1m) is held
under funds withheld arrangements.
Analysis of accruals and deferred income:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Premium receivable in advance of policy inception 82.3 53.9
Accrued expenses 46.2 35.3
Deferred income 15.4 12.1
----------------------
Total accruals and deferred income as above 143.9 101.3
----------------------
23. Obligations under finance leases
Analysis of finance lease liabilities:
At 31 December 2010 At 31 December 2009
Minimum Interest Principal Minimum Interest Principal
lease lease
payments payments
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Less than one year - - - 0.3 - 0.3
Between one and five
years 0.2 - 0.2 0.1 - 0.1
More than five years - - - - - -
--------------------------------------------------------
0.2 - 0.2 0.4 - 0.4
--------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of the Group's lease obligations approximates to their carrying
amount.
24. Deferred income tax (asset) / liability
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Brought forward at start of period 5.7 10.3
Movement in period (18.1) (4.6)
----------------------
Carried forward at end of period (12.4) 5.7
----------------------
The net balance provided at the end of the year is made up as follows:
Analysis of net deferred tax (asset)/ liability: 31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Tax treatment of share scheme charges (6.9) (4.4)
Capital allowances (1.3) (1.6)
Other differences (4.2) (0.6)
Unremitted overseas income - 12.3
----------------------
Deferred tax (asset)/ liability at end of period (12.4) 5.7
----------------------
The UK corporation tax rate will move from 28% to 27% on 1 April 2011. Deferred
tax has been calculated at 27% where the temporary difference is expected to
reverse after this date.
The amount of deferred tax (expense) / income recognised in the income statement
for each of the temporary differences reported above is:
Amounts credited to income or expense: 31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Tax treatment of share scheme charges (0.8) 0.3
Capital allowances (0.3) 1.6
Other differences 3.6 0.5
Remittance of overseas income 12.3 0.5
----------------------
Net deferred tax credited to income 14.8 2.9
----------------------
The difference between the total movement in the deferred tax balance above and
the amount charged to income relates to deferred tax on share scheme charges
that has been credited directly to equity.
25. Events after the balance sheet date
On 1 March 2011, European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a ruling that upheld the
recommendation that Article 5(2) of the Gender Directive is invalid, due to it
being incompatible with the general principle of equal treatment for men and
women which is a fundamental principal under EU law. Article 5(2) of the Gender
Directive allowed insurers to use gender related information in determining
insurance premiums and benefits if insurers could provide statistically valid
data that proved gender is a determining risk factor. As a result insurance
companies will no longer able to use gender specific information in determining
insurance premiums and benefits.
The requirement for unisex insurance premiums and benefits will come into effect
after a transitional period on 21 December 2012, by which time the Group's EU
insurers will have gender neutral pricing and benefits in place.
26. Share capital and share incentive plans
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Authorised:
500,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.1p 0.5 0.5
----------------------
Issued, called up and fully paid:
268,571,725 ordinary shares of 0.1p 0.3 -
266,477,291 ordinary shares of 0.1p - 0.3
----------------------
0.3 0.3
----------------------
During 2010 2,094,434 (2009: 1,935,461) new ordinary shares of 0.1p were issued
to the trusts administering the Group's share schemes.
594,434 (2009: 751,513) of these were issued to the Admiral Group Share
Incentive Plan Trust for the purposes of this share scheme. These shares are
entitled to receive dividends.
1,500,000 (2009: 1,183,948) were issued to the Admiral Group Employee Benefit
Trust for the purposes of the Discretionary Free Share Scheme. The Trustees
have waived the right to dividend payments, other than to the extent of 0.001p
per share, unless and to the extent otherwise directed by the Company from time
to time.
Staff share schemes:
Analysis of share scheme costs (per income statement):
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
SIP charge (note i) 5.1 3.6
DFSS charge (note ii) 9.9 5.6
----------------------
Total share scheme charges 15.0 9.2
----------------------
The share scheme charges reported above are net of the co-insurance share and
therefore differ from the gross charge reported in note 10 (2010: GBP18.5m, 2009:
GBP13.7m) and the gross credit to reserves reported in the consolidated statement
of changes in equity.
The consolidated cashflow statement also shows the gross charge in the
reconciliation between 'profit after tax' and 'cashflows from operating
activities'. The co-insurance share of the charge is included in the 'change in
trade and other payables' line.
(i) The Approved Share Incentive Plan (the SIP)
Eligible employees qualify for awards under the SIP based upon the performance
of the Group in each half-year period. The current maximum award for each year
is GBP3,000 per employee.
The awards are made with reference to the Group's performance against prior year
profit before tax. Employees must remain in employment for the holding period
(three years from the date of award) otherwise the shares are forfeited.
The fair value of shares awarded is either the share price at the date of award,
or is estimated at the latest share price available when drawing up the
financial statements for awards not yet made (and later adjusted to reflect the
actual share price on the award date). Awards under the SIP are entitled to
receive dividends, and hence no adjustment has been made to this fair value.
(ii) The Discretionary Free Share Scheme (the DFSS)
Under the DFSS, details of which are contained in the Remuneration policy
section of the Remuneration report, individuals receive an award of free shares
at no charge. Staff must remain in employment until the vesting date in order
to receive shares. The maximum number of shares that can vest relating to the
2010 scheme is 1,662,303 (2009 scheme: 1,438,426).
Individual awards are calculated based on the growth in the Company's earnings
per share (EPS) relative to a risk free return (RFR), for which LIBOR has been
selected as a benchmark. This performance is measured over the same three year
period.
For the 2010 (and 2009) scheme, 50% of the shares awarded at the start of the
three year vesting period are subject to these performance conditions.
The range of awards is as follows:
* If the growth in EPS is less than the RFR, no awards vest
* EPS growth is equal to RFR - 10% of maximum award vests
* To achieve the maximum award, EPS growth has to be 36 points higher than RFR
over the three year period
Between 10% and 100% of the maximum awards, a linear relationship exists.
Awards under the DFSS are not eligible for dividends (although a discretionary
bonus is currently paid equivalent to the dividend that would have been paid on
the respective shareholding) and hence the fair value of free shares to be
awarded under this scheme has been revised downwards to take account of these
distributions. The unadjusted fair value is based on the share price at the
date on which awards were made (as stated in the Remuneration Report).
Number of free share awards committed at 31 December 2010:
Awards Vesting
outstanding (*1) date
SIP H207 scheme 337,770 April 2011
SIP H108 scheme 352,732 September 2011
SIP H208 scheme 477,432 April 2012
SIP H109 scheme 396,200 September 2012
SIP H209 scheme 377,641 March 2013
SIP H110 scheme 352,100 August 2013
DFSS 2008 scheme 1(st) award 1,306,081 April 2011
DFSS 2008 scheme 2(nd) award 87,202 November 2011
DFSS 2009 scheme 1(st) award 1,311,686 April 2012
DFSS 2009 scheme 2(nd) award 126,740 August 2012
DFSS 2010 scheme 1(st) award 1,543,203 April 2013
DFSS 2010 scheme 2(nd) award 119,100 August 2013
--------------------
Total awards committed 6,787,887
--------------------
*1 - being the maximum number of awards expected to be made before accounting
for expected staff attrition.
During the year ended 31 December 2010, awards under the SIP H206 and H107
schemes and the DFSS 2007 scheme vested. The total number of awards vesting for
each scheme is as follows.
Number of free share awards vesting during the year ended 31 December 2010:
Original Awards
Awards vested
SIP H206 scheme 277,387 234,532
SIP H107 scheme 353,444 304,122
DFSS 2007 scheme, 1(st) award 1,210,781 1,065,964
DFSS 2007 scheme, 2(nd) award 26,350 19,430
------------------------
27. Financial commitments
The Group was committed to total minimum obligations under operating leases on
land and buildings as follows:
31 31
December December
Operating leases expiring: 2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Within one year 0.2 -
Within two to five years 11.1 4.1
Over five years 16.4 31.6
----------------------
Total commitments 27.7 35.7
----------------------
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for its office
properties.
In addition, the Group had contracted to spend the following on property, plant
and equipment at the end of each period:
31 31
December December
2010 2009
GBPm GBPm
Expenditure contracted to - -
----------------------
28. Group subsidiary companies
The Parent Company's subsidiaries are as follows:
Subsidiary Country of Class of % Ownership Principal
incorporation shares held activity
EUI Limited England and Wales Ordinary 100 General
insurance
intermediary
Admiral Insurance England and Wales Ordinary 100 Insurance
Company Limited Company
Admiral Insurance Gibraltar Ordinary 100 Insurance
(Gibraltar) Limited Company
Able Insurance England and Wales Ordinary 100 Intermediary
Services Limited
Inspop.com Limited England and Wales Ordinary 100 Internet
insurance
intermediary
Elephant Insurance United States of Ordinary 100 Insurance
Company America Company
Elephant Insurance United States of Ordinary 100 Insurance
Services, LLC America intermediary
Rastreator.com England and Wales Ordinary 75 Internet
Limited insurance
intermediary
Inspop Technologies India Ordinary 100
Private Limited
Inspop.com (France) England and Wales Ordinary 100 Internet
Limited insurance
intermediary
Inspop.com (Italy) England and Wales Ordinary 100 Internet
Limited insurance
intermediary
EUI France Limited England and Wales Ordinary 100 Insurance
intermediary
Admiral Syndicate England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Limited
Admiral Syndicate England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Management Limited
Admiral Life England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Limited
Bell Direct Limited England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Confused.com England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Limited
Diamond Motor England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Insurance Services
Limited
Elephant Insurance England and Wales Ordinary 100 Dormant
Services Limited
For further information on how the Group conducts its business, refer to the
Business Review.
29. Related party transactions
a) Mapfre:
In 2010, the Group participated in transactions with Mapfre S.A. during the
normal course of its Non-UK Car Insurance and Price Comparison operations.
Mapfre is a related party of Admiral Group due to its 25% minority interest in
Group subsidiary Rastreator.com Limited.
Details of the total transactions with Mapfre and balances outstanding as at 31
December are given in the table below.
31 31
December December
2010 2009
Total transactions 0.3 -
Balances outstanding at 31 December - -
b) Other:
Details relating to the remuneration and shareholdings of key management
personnel are set out in the Remuneration Report (audited section). Key
management personnel are able to obtain discounted motor insurance at the same
rates as all other Group staff, typically at a reduction of 15%.
The Board considers that only the Board of Directors of Admiral Group plc are
key management personnel.
30. Statutory information
The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's
statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2010 or 2009. Statutory
accounts for 2009 have been delivered to the registrar of companies, and those
for 2010 will be delivered in due course. The auditors have reported on those
accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference
to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without
qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498
(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
Consolidated financial summary
Basis of preparation:
The figures below are as stated in the Group financial statements preceding this
financial summary and issued previously. Only selected lines from the income
statement and balance sheet have been included.
Income statement
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Total motor premiums 1,308.6 847.7 716.3 631.3 566.6
Net insurance premium revenue 288.1 211.9 169.8 142.2 145.0
Other revenue 276.2 232.6 193.9 176.9 131.6
Profit commission 67.0 54.2 34.7 20.5 19.9
Investment and interest income 9.5 8.8 24.4 24.6 14.5
---------------------------------------
Net revenue 640.8 507.5 422.8 364.2 311.0
Net insurance claims (208.5) (151.7) (114.6) (99.8) (107.1)
Total expenses (166.8) (140.0) (105.7) (82.0) (55.5)
---------------------------------------
Operating profit 265.5 215.8 202.5 182.4 148.4
Balance sheet
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Property, plant and equipment 13.6 12.1 11.0 7.7 7.5
Intangible assets 82.9 77.0 75.7 69.1 66.8
Financial assets 1,004.7 630.9 586.9 481.8 395.9
Reinsurance assets 357.0 212.9 170.6 131.7 74.7
Deferred income tax 12.4 - - 1.6 -
Trade and other receivables 47.9 32.7 25.5 22.6 16.9
Cash and cash equivalents 246.7 211.8 144.3 155.8 191.2
Assets held for sale 1.5 - - - -
------------------------------------
Total assets 1,766.7 1,177.4 1,014.0 870.3 753.0
Equity 350.7 300.8 275.6 237.6 219.1
Insurance contracts 806.6 532.9 439.6 363.1 294.4
Financial liabilities - - - - -
Deferred income tax - 5.7 10.3 - 1.0
Trade and other payables 561.0 306.8 270.0 239.6 215.1
Current tax liabilities 48.4 31.2 18.5 30.0 23.4
------------------------------------
Total liabilities 1,766.7 1,177.4 1,014.0 870.3 753.0
ADMIRAL GROUP PLC 2010 PRELIMINARY RESULTS:
http://hugin.info/141442/R/1493492/429254.pdf
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Admiral Group PLC via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1493492]
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