In the previous quarter, Zurich Global Life’s new business sales, boosted by growth in its EMEA markets, jumped by nearly a fifth in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
Operating results for Farmers and Global Life “should be in line with expectations, and the group’s capital position remains very strong across all key metrics”, it said.
But the Swiss-headquartered insurer also flagged up in the statement that the general insurance business would report a Q4 business operating loss of around $100m (£70.5m, €91.6m).
This loss was “due to natural catastrophe claims, including those related to recent storms and floods in the UK and Ireland, and a significant level of large losses”.
Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank brought heavy rainfall and caused severe flooding in parts of North England, Scotland and Ireland, it added.
In addition to the UK and Ireland floods, there were a number of other natural catastrophe events in the quarter, including a tornado in Australia.
Zurich also said it had continued to experience a very high level of large current accident year losses in the fourth quarter, mainly relate to a large credit and surety loss, and several significant property claims, principally impacting its global corporate division and certain European countries.
Zurich Insurance Group will release its full annual results for 2015 on 11 February.
