The 18 U.S. property/casualty reinsurers included in the Reinsurance Association of America’s survey of financial results for year-end 2013 saw net premiums fall 3.3 percent compared to 2012, but combined ratios improved more than 9 points for the group.

RAA2013According to an RAA report published on the group’s website last week, only two of the 18 reinsurers—XL Reinsurance America and QBE North America—reported combined ratios in excess of 100.0.

The average combined ratio for the group was 86.8.

QBE and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. were the only two RAA companies that saw their combined ratios worsen last year.

One-third of the reinsurers in the group reported double-digit increases in net written premiums. Seven companies, including National Indemnity Company, the largest in the group, reported premium declines.

Excluding National Indemnity from the group, the overall change in net written premiums was an increase of 5.0 percent.