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Updated 14 October 2026: expanded with practical context and refreshed information. Original publication date retained.
Large insurers: read the ranking period and measure
Insurance groups, underwriting companies and policy distributors occupy different places in the market. A ranking by non-life gross written premium is not a ranking of every life and non-life insurer, nor a measure of which policy is best for a customer.
The earlier numerical list in this article came from a 2015 non-life market snapshot cited in the KPMG 2016 insurance survey. It should not be presented as a current October 2026 league table. Historic company names and group structures may also have changed since that period.
Size and policy suitability are different
Names such as Santam, Old Mutual Insure, Hollard and OUTsurance provide starting points for research. Identify the legal insurer behind a quotation, not just the brand or intermediary. Verify relevant regulated-entity information and read the actual product documents.
For a comparison, use the same risk description and examine the premium, excess, limits and exclusions. A large market share does not establish that a particular claim is covered or that the service will fit every customer.
Use current annual disclosures for a new size comparison and keep the reporting date and measure attached to each figure. The historic percentages are withdrawn from the current account rather than converted into unsupported contemporary numbers.
Related reading from the original article
insurance brokers · FSCA's regulated-entity search · specialized insurance solutions · long-term insurance · travel insurance · claims process · risk assessments · business insurance guide
How to read an insurance ranking without choosing cover by size
The FSCA's regulated-entity search helps establish who is authorised to provide particular financial services. It is an authorisation check, not a market-share ranking or proof that a product suits a household. The article's 2015 premium-share figures belong to their original non-life reporting period.
When comparing company size, use the same measure and business scope. Gross written premiums, assets, policy counts and profit answer different questions. A life-insurance group cannot simply be placed beside a non-life insurer using an unrelated asset figure and called larger on one consistent basis.
For a policy decision, identify the actual insurer and intermediary, then compare the quoted cover, limits, exclusions and excess. A recognised group may distribute products under several brands. The brand on an advert is not enough to explain which entity accepts the insured risk.
This makes the old ranking useful as a historical snapshot while providing a stronger present decision method. Keep the company's authorisation check separate from the product assessment. A large share of premiums can explain scale, but the agreement governs what the customer buys and how a claim is assessed.
Source and further reading: How to read an insurance ranking without choosing cover by size — reference.
