The new 8% Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) has come into force since January 1st, 2019 in Slovakia, thus putting an end to amore than one year long debate.

In the first three quarters of 2018, the Slovak insurance market totaled EUR 1.67 billion, thus increasing by 3.82% y-o-y, according to the quarterly financial figures published by the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS).

Slovak insurers have reported GWP worth EUR 1.13 billion in 1H2018, 4.46% up y-o-y. At the same time, claims paid have increased by almost 13% y-o-y, to EUR 649.2 million.

Slovak insurance market saw a slightly positive trend in Q1, with GWP increasing overall by 1.42%, to EUR 577.6 million, an increase fully driven by the non-life insurance segment. The total volume of paid claims didn't change much y-o-y, increasing by less than 1%.

The Slovak Parliament adopted on 20 June the new legislation replacing the current 8% insurance levy with a new tax of the same amount applied to non-life insurance premiums, except for MTPL for which the current levy will be maintained.

The introduction of the new 8% tax on non-life insurance premiums in Slovakia was postponed from October 2018, to January 2019, to allow insurance companies prepare for the change, the country's parliament decided on 7 June.

Last year, the growth rate of the local insurance market (+8.56%) was almost double that of the advance of the economy (+4.69%), thus the calculated indicators as the insurance penetration degree (2.51%) and the insurance density (EUR 393 per capita) significantly evolved as compared to FY2016.

A new indirect taxation system for the insurance premium is in preparation in Slovakia, replacing the current special insurance 8% levy with a rate which will vary from 2 to 18% depending on the type of the policy, local press reads.

In the first three quarters of 2017, the Slovak insurance market totaled EUR 1.61 billion, representing an increase of 7.62% y-o-y, according to the quarterly financial figures published by the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS).

In 1H2017, the Slovak insurance market totaled EUR 1.06 billion (11.8% more y-o-y), while the value of paid claims was of EUR 575 million, according to the preliminary financial figures provided by the National Bank of Slovakia.

Insurance should be accessible to all social classes, regardless of their wealth & income status. Products offered today are conventional insurance products, largely inspired from the developed markets as "one-size-fits-all" solutions, affordable to only middle- and high-income clients in the Eastern Europe's emerging & developing markets. Inclusive insurance's goal is making insurance available to all, with responsible insurance offers, thus making up for a solution to narrow the insurance coverage gap in the region.

Property and motor insurance lines are providing for about 75% of the non-life insurance business in the CEE region, but are responsible for over 77% of the claims expenses. As such, although other classes of risks are emerging, for the time being and most probably for a rather long period ahead, property and motor insurance lines will continue to be at the heart of CEE's insurance market architecture.

To the satisfaction of its traditional guests, FIAR returns in 2019 to its historical hometown, Sinaia. The forthcoming edition will benefit from the comfort and professional facilities of a new venue, the Conference Center of the International Hotel ****, located in the heart of the beautiful mountain resort. Registration is opened at a significantly discounted early bird rate until 28 February.