Combined Ratio

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Definition of 'Combined Ratio'

The combined ratio is a measure of an insurance company's profitability. It is calculated by adding the company's loss ratio and expense ratio and dividing the result by the earned premium. The loss ratio is the ratio of the company's losses to its earned premium, and the expense ratio is the ratio of the company's expenses to its earned premium.

A low combined ratio indicates that the company is profitable, while a high combined ratio indicates that the company is not profitable. The combined ratio is an important metric for investors to consider when evaluating an insurance company.

The combined ratio can be used to compare different insurance companies and to track the performance of a single company over time. It can also be used to predict the future profitability of an insurance company.

The combined ratio is a useful tool for understanding the financial health of an insurance company. However, it is important to note that the combined ratio does not take into account all of the factors that affect an insurance company's profitability. For example, the combined ratio does not take into account the company's investment income or its capital structure.

As a result, the combined ratio should be used in conjunction with other financial metrics to get a complete picture of an insurance company's financial health.

Here are some additional points to consider about the combined ratio:

* The combined ratio is a backward-looking metric. It measures the profitability of an insurance company over a period of time that has already ended.
* The combined ratio is not a standardized metric. Different insurance companies may calculate the combined ratio in different ways.
* The combined ratio can be affected by factors that are outside of the insurance company's control, such as the weather or the economy.

Despite these limitations, the combined ratio is a valuable tool for understanding the financial health of an insurance company.

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