UNIQA Group Austria has been represented in the Czech market by UNIQA pojišt'ovna since 1993. The 2008 financial year was yet another huge success with preliminary premium growth of 15.7% to 4.378 bln CZK (around 175 mln euros).

Compared to the rest of the market, this represented extraordinarily dynamic growth significantly higher than the published average. In comparison, the entire premium market in the Czech Republic grew by around 4.9% in 2008.

"We have been the fastest in successfully becoming one of the ten largest insurance companies. As a result, our market share continues to strengthen in line with our strategic planning. In the long term, we are dedicated to establishing sales channels which have also already started bearing fruit. We have also set ourselves an ambitious goal for this year, although we must reckon with the influence of weak economic growth. But we intend to continue growing significantly faster than the market.", Martin Žácek, Chairman of UNIQA pojišt'ovna, said.

The strongest growth rates recorded in 2008 were in non-life insurance with an increase of 19.6% to CZK 3.198 bln (128 mln euros), preliminary figures show. The most significant impulse came from car insurance where UNIQA was able to benefit from the historically positive development of vehicle sales. 3rd party vehicle insurance premiums increased by 26% and fully comprehensive insurance by 29%. Travel insurance and private health insurance also rose significantly.

According to preliminary figures, premium revenues from life insurance grew by 6.5% to CZK 1.2 bln (48 mln). In comparison, the market grew by around 4.5%. The majority of revenue came from ongoing premiums.