Reinsurance Practices And Underwriting Capacity Of Insurers

This study investigates how the use of reinsurance impacts the underwriting capacity of non-life insurance companies in Nigeria. The quantitative aspect of the research employed a longitudinal descriptive research design, analyzing aggregate industry data from forty-one insurance companies operating in Nigeria as of January 1, 2016, according to the National Insurance Commission (2016). For the qualitative component, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of ten insurance companies selected using stratified sampling techniques.

The quantitative analysis utilized multiple regression models with logarithmic transformations, while the qualitative analysis employed thematic content analysis. The findings of the study revealed a statistically significant relationship between reinsurance utilization and the performance of insurance companies.

Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of increasing shareholders’ funds and improving overall performance to enhance insurance companies’ risk appetite and performance (both financial and non-financial). The study also underscores the necessity for insurance firms to not solely concentrate on financial ratios but also to give due consideration to non-financial aspects due to the intangible nature of insurance products