Insurers' profits have been hurt by natural catastrophes, including the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March, causing record insured losses of $70 billion in the first half of the year, according to broker Guy Carpenter & Co. At the same time, record low interest rates are crimping investment returns.
Investment Income Falls
The insurance markets made 548 million pounds on its investments in the period, 8.2 percent lower than in the first half of 2010 as interest rates in the U.K., U.S. and the euro zone neared record lows.
"I cannot see any reasonable prospect of making decent investment income in the medium term," Savage said.
Lloyd's had a combined ratio of 113.3 percent in the first half, meaning for every pound it took in premiums, it paid out 1.13 pounds in claims. That worsened from 98.7 percent in the first half of 2010.
The loss was "much better than our peer group exposed to the same catastrophes," Savage said. Bermuda insurers' combined ratio was 117 percent for the period and U.S. reinsurers posted a ratio of 116 percent, Lloyd's said.