Talanx becomes one of the top insurers in Latin America through acquisition of companies from Liberty Mutual
- Acquisition of select Liberty Mutual Insurance Inc. businesses in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador
- Insuralex Colombia (Brigard Urrutia) and Insuralex Ecuador (Pérez, Bustamante & Ponce) advised
- HDI International moves up to third place in the property and casualty insurance market in Latin America through acquisitions
The Talanx Group rises to become the third-largest insurer by premium income in property/casualty business in Latin America through the acquisition of companies from Liberty Mutual Insurance Inc. The Retail International division of the Talanx Group has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the Liberty Seguros personal and small commercial business in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. HDI is expected to increase its gross written premiums (IFRS 4) in Latin America by around EUR 1.7 billion. With this transaction, HDI reaches pro forma rank 2 in Brazil, rank 1 in Chile, and rank 7 in Colombia. Furthermore, the division’s overall portfolio will be significantly better diversified as a result of the increase in Latin American business to approximately 45 per cent. The purchase price is expected to be approximately EUR 1.38 billion (approximately USD 1.48 billion) at the closing date of the transaction, subject to customary purchase price adjustment mechanisms.
“With the acquisition of these Liberty Mutual operations we are continuing our success story in Latin America,” says Torsten Leue, Chairman of the Board of Management of Talanx AG. “The acquisition fits seamlessly into our strategy of achieving market-leading positions in our core markets through organic and inorganic growth. Alongside Europe, Latin America is one of our core regions in the retail business. We are therefore pleased to be among the top 3 in Latin America with this acquisition. The acquisition will improve our Group net income and our return on equity already in the first year after the expected closing in 2024. The acquisition will further strengthen our primary insurance business and our diversification across business lines.”
Dr Wilm Langenbach, Member of the Board of Management of Talanx AG with responsibility for the Retail International division and Chief Executive Officer of HDI International AG, says: “The acquisition is an important milestone in the implementation of our strategy to reach a top 5 position in our core markets across the property/casualty business by 2025, to further diversify our portfolio and to strengthen our technical excellence. In addition, the acquisitions will allow us to achieve significant opportunities with our existing business in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. I am very pleased that our future Liberty colleagues will strengthen us with their outstanding expertise and experience in Latin America.”
“In a world that is rapidly changing, sharpened operational focus across our channels, products and markets is becoming increasingly important for long-term success and will ensure we deliver exceptional value to our customers, brokers, agents, partners, employees, and the communities we serve,” says Tim Sweeney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance. “We thank our Latin American teams of over 4,600 employees for their tremendous commitment and dedication to our business over many years. We’re confident in their future with Talanx, which shares similar core values.”
Liberty Mutual operates in 29 countries, making it one of the largest insurance companies in the world by insurance revenue. Liberty Seguros Brazil holds a top 5 position in motor and a top 10 position in property/casualty after full year 2022. In 2022, the Brazilian company generated gross written premiums of BRL $6.1 billion (EUR 1.1 billion), much of which was generated through a distribution network of 20,000 independent distributors. Liberty Seguros Chile offers non-life products and achieved a gross premium volume of CLP $325 billion (EUR 0.4 billion) in 2022. Liberty Seguros Colombia’s gross premium volume in 2022 was COP $1,033 billion (EUR 0.2 billion). Liberty Seguros Ecuador generated a gross premium volume of USD $33 million (EUR 31 million) in 2022.
The transaction includes Liberty Specialty Markets direct insurance business in Brazil, Chile and Colombia. The transaction does not include Liberty Specialty Markets facultative reinsurance, Liberty Mutual Reinsurance treaty reinsurance and Liberty Mutual Surety businesses which will continue to operate in Brazil, Chile and Colombia.
HDI International AG is already represented in Brazil, Chile and Colombia through its subsidiaries. HDI Seguros generated a gross premium volume of around 4.5 billion BRL (789 million EUR) in Brazil in 2022. HDI Seguros in Chile generated a gross premium volume of 488 billion Chilean pesos (533 million EUR) and HDI Seguros in Colombia 425 billion Colombian pesos (82 million EUR).
The closing of the acquisition is expected in the first half of 2024. The transactions are subject to approval by the relevant governmental and regulatory authorities.
Rothschild & Co acted as financial advisor and Hogan Lovells acted as legal advisor to Talanx AG and HDI International AG in the transaction. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP provided legal advice to Liberty Mutual in the transaction.
About Insuralex:
Founded in 2002, Insuralex is a worldwide network with more than 50 independent law firms that specialize in insurance and reinsurance coverage, defense, litigation, regulatory and corporate matters, and related legal services. Its members work for a wide range of clients including insurance and reinsurance companies, Lloyd’s syndicates, insurance, and reinsurance brokers as well as captives and self-insured companies. Each member firm of Insuralex is a leader in its national or state jurisdiction on issues related to insurance and reinsurance.
Insuralex is particularly recognized in complex claims that require a high specialization and that have an international component that requires specialized knowledge in diverse jurisdictions. Its members are also recognized for providing legal advice to the insurance industry on corporate and regulatory matters.
With 20 years of continuous growth, Insuralex has become the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance network with a highly recognized recommendation from our partners and clients within the insurance and reinsurance industry.
Insuralex Latin American insurance law practice covers countries such as: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Source: Talanx, Liberty Mutual & Insuralex
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