DARAG (Deutsche Versicherungs-und Rückversicherungs-AG) has acquired a majority shareholding in Hamburger Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft (HVAG).
Hamburg-based HVAG was active in the German market from 1999 to 2008 as a broker/insurer in the industry and transport insurance business. At the end of 2008, the company ceased underwriting new business and has since been entirely in run-off. As at 31.12.2009, HVAG’s claims reserves amounted to € 5.4 million.
The acquisition of 70 per cent of the shares will make DARAG the majority shareholder of HVAG. The Berlin-based specialist insurer is acquiring 55 per cent of the share contingent from the principal shareholder Mitsuibussan Insurance, a subsidiary of the Japanese Mitsui & Co. Just under 15 per cent of the shares were purchased from minority shareholders. The transaction price was not disclosed.
With the sale of its shares, Mitsuibussan is terminating its insurance activities in the German market. It has thereby avoided a solvent liquidation lasting several years, which a pull-out of this nature would otherwise involve.
‘In DARAG, we are pleased to have found a professional partner on the German market to handle the run-off of HVAG, with the experience to drive the winding-up process forward. Mitsuibussan’s decision to transact the deal with DARAG was primarily based on the company’s financial soundness as well as its competence and experience in claims management,’ explains Taku Matsumoto, president of Mitsuibussan Insurance, Tokyo.
DARAG is an active German insurance company that specialises in taking over the inactive or discontinued business of direct insurers and reinsurers. Arndt Gossmann, DARAG executive board member responsible for transaction management, says: ‘As well as portfolio transfers, the acquisition of HVAG in the run-off phase is a textbook transaction for DARAG. The challenges associated with run-off are our bread-and-butter business and we will offer HVAG the best possible support during the winding-up phase. Our first priority in this process is the interests of the policyholders.’