As regards non-life insurance UNIQA is expecting after a bad year in 2000 that there will be a definitive upturn in the tariff policy.

Bringing premiums into line should guarantee a level of premium income that  – unless there are extraordinary cases of damage – should clearly improve the operating result in this sector.

In the field of life insurance UNIQA is introducing innovations in all forms of marketing, combining the advantages of capital insurance with the advantages of saving via securities and funds, and also yield-oriented products with current premiums. The Group will also continue to promote life insurance policies within companies.

Abroad, it is planned for some Group companies to introduce fund-linked life insurance policies.

As regards health insurance, it may be assumed that there will be further broad discussion on the Austrian health insurance system, particularly in the light of “opting out“, i.e. a choice between health policies for certain professions.

UNIQA is poised to meet any possible consequences with long term effects on the Austrian health insurance system, and ready to assume greater responsibility, given suitable market conditions.

The corrective budget measures introduced by the Ministry of Finance
in autumn 2000 will impose major burdens on insurance companies because of the limitations on the fiscal treatment of contingencies for claims and fluctuating contingencies. These measures will come into force in the current business year.

The consequent big increase in tax payable will represent a considerable burden and will hit the tense market sector of damage and accident insurance very hard.

Foreign activities
In the current year of reporting, the Group will continue to pursue vigorously its policy of internationalization. Entry into the Polish insurance market, projected and planned last year, will take place in the current business year and will broaden the European basis of the UNIQA Group.