讀後心得

The Financial Supervisory Commission pointed out that in January this year, the premium income from new foreign currency insurance contracts was NT$32.343 billion, accounting for 35.96% of the total new contract premiums, marking a seven-year low. The growth rate of foreign currency insurance income was only 11%, far lower than the 54.06% for Taiwan dollar policies. Although both foreign currency investment-type and traditional policies saw growth, Taiwan dollar policies were more popular. Deputy Director Cai Huoyan stated that the proportion of foreign currency policies during the period from 2019 to 2024 was higher than this year's figures. In January of this year, the income from US dollar, Australian dollar, and Renminbi policies all increased, primarily due to market demand, economic growth, and increased consumer confidence.

Declining attractiveness of foreign currency insurance policies? The Financial Supervisory Commission stated on the 25th that the new contract premium income from foreign currency insurance products reached NT$32.343 billion in January of this year, accounting for 35.96% of the total new contract premium income, marking a new low for the same period in seven years. The new contract growth rate for foreign currency policies in that month was only 11%, far lower than the 54.06% for NT dollar policies. Among the types of foreign currency, both foreign currency investment-type insurance and traditional policies saw increased insurance income for US dollars, Australian dollars, and Chinese yuan compared to the same period last year. The Insurance Bureau explained that this may be related to market demand, while NT dollar policies are more favored by the public.

The Deputy Director of the Insurance Bureau pointed out that when reviewing the new contract premium income ratio for foreign currency insurance products from 2019 to 2024, the proportions were 37.19%, 55.75%, 61.49%, 64.48%, 42.09%, and 43.88% respectively, while January of this year only accounted for 35.96%, marking the lowest point in seven years. The income from foreign currency investment-type policies was approximately NT$5.111 billion, accounting for 16%, while the income from foreign currency traditional policies was approximately NT$27.232 billion, accounting for 84%, with both types showing growth in premium income across different currencies.

• The new contract premium income for US dollar products was approximately US$1.122 billion, with investment-type insurance accounting for about US$147 million, or about 13%, and traditional insurance accounting for about US$975 million, or about 87%. The growth in investment-type policies was primarily due to the rebound in US stocks, but it decreased compared to December of last year, mainly influenced by a slowdown in US stock gains, weakening year-end sales, and a higher comparative base in December; the growth in traditional policies was driven by the US economic growth and high interest rate environment, which increased consumers' purchasing willingness.
• For Australian dollar policies, the new contract premium income was approximately AU$22 million, with investment-type insurance accounting for about AU$6 million, or about 27%, and traditional insurance accounting for about AU$16 million, or about 73%. The increase in investment-type income compared to the same period last year was mainly due to improved market confidence in Australia's economic performance; meanwhile, traditional policies became more attractive due to the Australian central bank's interest rate cuts, further promoting consumers' purchasing willingness.
• In terms of Chinese yuan policies, the new contract premium income was approximately CN¥16 million, with investment-type insurance accounting for about CN¥12 million, or about 75%, and traditional insurance accounting for about CN¥4 million, or about 25%. The growth in investment-type income was mainly related to the rebound of the mainland stock market, while the growth in traditional insurance was linked to the launch of new products and strengthened promotions by some insurance companies at the end of last year.