With a premium growth of 17% to roughly 97.1 mln euros, UNIQA's Slovakian subsidiary UNIQA poišt'ovna grew in 2008 at a rate significantly above the Slovakian insurance market (+11%) and much higher than the other top 10 insurance companies in Slovakia, according to preliminary data. With a market share of 4.6%, UNIQA further solidified its position in sixth place among the 22 insurance companies active in Slovakia.

"In 2008, we grew by SKK 400 million (€ 13.3 million) - an achievement we are proud of. On the final day of the year, while the Slovakian crown still existed, our premiums totaled almost 3 bln crowns. Now, after the currency switch, our next goal is to exceed a premium volume of 100 mln euros. With our ambitious sales team, our loyal sales partners and our creativity, we expect to accomplish this", Harald Chrstos, CEO of UNIQA poišt'ovna, said.

UNIQA exhibited the strongest growth rates in Slovakia in the non-life segment, where premiums grew by 20% to roughly 71 mln. euros. The industry growth in this segment was only about 5%.

The above-average success can be attributed largely to the motor vehicle insurance line - here UNIQA achieved a growth of over 23%, with premiums increasing to roughly 44 mln euros. Overall, UNIQA achieved a market share of over 7% in non-life insurance lines, putting us in fourth place on the Slovakian market.

The life insurance premiums make up roughly 27% of the total premium volume at almost 26.1 mln euros (+9%).

In Slovakia, UNIQA employs a staff of 294 salaried employees, has 882 brokers who are active for UNIQA, serves roughly 371,000 customers with 520,000 contracts and, in addition to the headquarters in Bratislava, maintains over 39 branches plus another 71 insurance agencies throughout the country.