Prudence

An insurer need not change its accounting policies for insurance contracts to eliminate excessive prudence. However, if an insurer already measures its insurance contracts with sufficient prudence, it shall not introduce additional prudence

Future investment margins

An insurer need not change its accounting policies for insurance contracts to eliminate future investment margins.However, there is a rebuttable presumption that an insurer's financial statements will become less relevant and reliable if it introduces an accounting policy that reflects future investment margins in the measurement of insurance contracts, unless those margins affect the contractual payments. Two examples of accounting policies that reflect those margins are

a)using a discount rate that reflects the estimated return on the insurer's assets; or

b)projecting the returns on those assets at an estimated rate of return discounting those projected returns at a different rate and including the result in the measurement of the liability

An insurer may overcome the rebuttable presumption described in paragraph 27 if, and only if, the other components of a change in accounting policies increase the relevance and reliability of its financial statements sufficiently to outweigh the decrease in relevance and reliability caused by the inclusion of future investment margins. For example, suppose that an insurer's existing accounting policies for insurance contracts involve excessively prudent assumptions set at inception and a discount rate prescribed by a regulator without direct reference to market conditions, and ignore some embedded options and guarantees. The insurer might make its financial statements more relevant and no less reliable by switching to a comprehensive investor-oriented basis of accounting that is widely used and involves

a)current estimates and assumptions

b)a reasonable (but not excessively prudent) adjustment to reflect risk and uncertainty

c)measurements that reflect both the intrinsic value and time value of embedded options and guarantees; and

d)a current market discount rate, even if that discount rate reflects the estimated return on the insurer's assets

In some measurement approaches, the discount rate is used to determine the present value of a future profit margin. That profit margin is then attributed to different periods using a formula. In those approaches, the discount rate affects the measurement of the liability only indirectly. In particular, the use of a less appropriate discount rate has a limited or no effect on the measurement of the liability at inception. However, in other approaches, the discount rate determines the measurement of the liability directly. In the latter case, because the introduction of an asset-based discount rate has a more significant effect, it is highly unlikely that an insurer could overcome the rebuttable presumption described in paragraph 27

Shadow accounting

In some accounting models, realised gains or losses on an insurer's assets have a direct effect on the measurement of some or all of (a) its insurance liabilities, (b) related deferred acquisition costs and (c) related intangible assets, such as those described in paragraphs 31 and 32. An insurer is permitted, but not required, to change its accounting policies so that a recognised but unrealised gain or loss on an asset affects those measurements in the same way that a realised gain or loss does. The related adjustment to the insurance liability (or deferred acquisition costs or intangible assets) shall be recognised in other comprehensive income if, and only if, the unrealised gains or losses are recognised in other comprehensive income. This practice is sometimes described as 'shadow accounting

Insurance contracts acquired in a business combination

or portfolio transfer

To comply with IFRS 3, an insurer shall, at the acquisition date, measure at fair value the insurance liabilities assumed and insurance assets acquired in a business combination. However, an insurer is permitted, but not required, to use an expanded presentation that splits the fair value of acquired insurance contracts into two components

a) a liability measured in accordance with the insurer's accounting policies for insurance contracts that it issues; and

b)an intangible asset, representing the difference between (i) the fair value of the contractual insurance rights acquired and insurance obligations

assumed and (ii) the amount described in (a).  The subsequent measurement of this asset shall be consistent with the measurement of the related insurance liability An insurer acquiring a portfolio of insurance contracts may use the expanded presentation described in paragraph 31

The intangible assets described in paragraphs 31 and 32 are excluded from the scope of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets and IAS 38. However, IAS 36 and IAS 38 apply to customer lists and customer relationships reflecting the expectation of future contracts that are not part of the contractual insurance rights and contractual insurance obligations that existed at the date of a business combination or portfolio transfer

Discretionary participation features

Discretionary participation features in insurance contracts

Some insurance contracts contain a discretionary participation feature as well as a guaranteed element. The issuer of such a contract

a)may, but need not, recognise the guaranteed element separately from the discretionary participation feature. If the issuer does not recognise them separately, it shall classify the whole contract as a liability. If the issuer classifies them separately, it shall classify the guaranteed element as a liability

b)shall, if it recognises the discretionary participation feature separately from the guaranteed element, classify that feature as either a liability or a separate component of equity. This IFRS does not specify how the issuer determines whether that feature is a liability or equity. The issuer may split that feature into liability and equity components and shall use a consistent accounting policy for that split. The issuer shall not classify that feature as an intermediate category that is neither liability nor equity

c)may recognise all premiums received as revenue without separating any portion that relates to the equity component. The resulting changes in the guaranteed element and in the portion of the discretionary participation feature classified as a liability shall be recognised in profit or loss. If part or all of the discretionary participation feature is classified in equity, a portion of profit or loss may be attributable to that feature (in the same way that a portion may be attributable to non-controlling interests). The issuer shall recognise the portion of profit or loss attributable to any equity component of a discretionary participation feature as an allocation of profit or loss, not as expense or income (see IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements

d)shall, if the contract contains an embedded derivative within the scope of IFRS 9, apply IFRS 9 to that embedded derivative

(e)shall, in all respects not described in paragraphs 14-20 and 34(a)-(d), continue its existing accounting policies for such contracts, unless it changes those accounting policies in a way that complies with paragraphs 21-30

Discretionary participation features in financial instruments

 The requirements in paragraph 34 also apply to a financial instrument that contains a discretionary participation feature. In addition

(a)if the issuer classifies the entire discretionary participation feature as a liability, it shall apply the liability adequacy test in paragraphs 15-19 to the whole contract (ie both the guaranteed element and the discretionary participation feature). The issuer need not determine the amount that would result from applying IFRS 9 to the guaranteed element

b)if the issuer classifies part or all of that feature as a separate component of equity, the liability recognised for the whole contract shall not be less than the amount that would result from applying IFRS 9 to the guaranteed element. That amount shall include the intrinsic value of an option to surrender the contract, but need not include its time value if paragraph 9 exempts that option from measurement at fair value. The issuer need not disclose the amount that would result from applying IFRS 9 to the guaranteed element, nor need it present that amount separately. Furthermore, the issuer need not determine that amount if the total liability recognised is clearly higher

c)although these contracts are financial instruments, the issuer may continue to recognise the premiums for those contracts as revenue and recognise as an expense the resulting increase in the carrying amount of the liability

d)although these contracts are financial instruments, an issuer applying paragraph 20(b) of IFRS 7 to contracts with a discretionary participation feature shall disclose the total interest expense recognised in profit or loss, but need not calculate such interest expense using the effective interest method

Disclosure

Explanation of recognised amounts

An insurer shall disclose information that identifies and explains the  amounts in its financial statements arising from insurance contracts

 To comply with paragraph 36, an insurer shall disclose

(a)its accounting policies for insurance contracts and related assets liabilities, income and expense

(b)the recognised assets, liabilities, income and expense (and, if it presents its statement of cash flows using the direct method, cash flows) arising from insurance contracts. Furthermore, if the insurer is a cedant, it shall disclose gains and losses recognised in profit or loss on buying reinsurance; and if the cedant defers and amortises gains and losses arising on buying reinsurance, the amortisation for the period and the amounts remaining unamortised at the beginning and end of the period

c) the process used to determine the assumptions that have the greatest effect on the measurement of the recognised amounts described in (b). When practicable, an insurer shall also give quantified disclosure of those assumptions

d) the effect of changes in assumptions used to measure insurance assets and insurance liabilities, showing separately the effect of each change that has a material effect on the financial statement

e)reconciliations of changes in insurance liabilities, reinsurance assets and, if any, related deferred acquisition costs

Nature and extent of risks arising from insurance contract

An insurer shall disclose information that enables users of its financial statements to evaluate the nature and extent of risks arising from insurance contracts

To comply with paragraph 38, an insurer shall disclose

a)its objectives, policies and processes for managing risks arising from insurance contracts and the methods used to manage those risks

b)[deleted

(c)information about insurance risk (both before and after risk mitigation by reinsurance), including information about sensitivity to insurance risk (see paragraph 39A

concentrations of insurance risk, including a description of how management determines concentrations and a description of the shared characteristic that identifies each concentration (eg type of insured event, geographical area, or currency actual claims compared with previous estimates (ie claims development). The disclosure about claims development shall go back to the period when the earliest material claim arose for which there is still uncertainty about the amount and timing of the claims payments, but need not go back more than ten years. An insurer need not disclose this information for claims for which uncertainty about the amount and timing of claims payments is typically resolved within one year

(d) information about credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk that paragraphs 31-42 of IFRS 7 would require if the insurance contracts were within the scope of IFRS 7. Howeveran insurer need not provide the maturity analyses required by paragraph 39(a) and (b) of IFRS 7 if it discloses information about the estimated timing of the net cash outflows resulting from recognised insurance liabilities instead. This may take the form of an analysis, by estimated timing, of the amounts recognised in the statement of financial position if an insurer uses an alternative method to manage sensitivity to market conditions, such as an embedded value analysis, it may use that sensitivity analysis to meet the requirement in paragraph 40(a) of IFRS 7. Such an insurer shall also provide the disclosures required by paragraph 41 of IFRS 7

(e)information about exposures to market risk arising from embedded derivatives contained in a host insurance contract if the insurer is not required to, and does not, measure the embedded derivatives at fair value

To comply with paragraph 39(c)(i), an insurer shall disclose either (a) or (b) as follows

a)a sensitivity analysis that shows how profit or loss and equity would have been affected if changes in the relevant risk variable that were reasonably possible at the end of the reporting period had occurred; the methods and assumptions used in preparing the sensitivity analysis; and any changes from the previous period in the methods and assumptions used. However, if an insurer uses an alternative method to manage sensitivity to market conditions, such as an embedded value analysis, it may meet this requirement by disclosing that alternative sensitivity analysis and the disclosures required by paragraph 41 of IFRS 7

(b)qualitative information about sensitivity, and information about those terms and conditions of insurance contracts that have a material effect on the amount, timing and uncertainty of the insurer's future cash flows

Effective date and transition

 

The transitional provisions in paragraphs 41-45 apply both to an entity that is already applying IFRSs when it first applies this IFRS and to an entity that applies IFRSs for the first time (a first-time adopter

An entity shall apply this IFRS for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2005. Earlier application is encouraged. If an entity applies this IFRS for an earlier period, it shall disclose that fact

Financial Guarantee Contracts (Amendments to IAS 39 and IFRS 4), issued in August 2005, amended paragraphs 4(d), B18(g) and B19(f). An entity shall apply those amendments for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2006. Earlier application is encouraged. If an entity applies those amendments for an earlier period, it shall disclose that fact and apply the related amendments to IAS 39 and IAS 324 at the same time.

IAS 1 (as revised in 2007) amended the terminology used throughout IFRSs. In addition it amended paragraph 30. An entity shall apply those amendments for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. If an entity applies IAS 1 (revised 2007) for an earlier period, the amendments shall be applied for that earlier period

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[Deleted]

IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement, issued in May 2011, amended the definition of fair value in Appendix A. An entity shall apply that amendment when it applies IFRS 13

IFRS 9, as amended in November 2013, amended paragraphs 3, 4(d), 7, 8, 12, 34(d), 35, 45 and B18-B20 and Appendix A and deleted paragraphs 41C and 41D. An entity shall apply those amendments when it applies IFRS 9 as amended in November 2013

Disclosure

An entity need not apply the disclosure requirements in this IFRS to comparative information that relates to annual periods beginning before 1 January 2005, except for the disclosures required by paragraph 37(a) and (b) about accounting policies, and recognised assets, liabilities, income and expense (and cash flows if the direct method is used If it is impracticable to apply a particular requirement of paragraphs 10-35 to comparative information that relates to annual periods beginning before 1 January 2005, an entity shall disclose that fact. Applying the liability adequacy test (paragraphs 15-19) to such comparative information might sometimes be impracticable, but it is highly unlikely to be impracticable to apply other requirements of paragraphs 10-35 to such comparative information. IAS 8 explains the term 'impracticable

In applying paragraph 39(c)(iii), an entity need not disclose information about claims development that occurred earlier than five years before the end of the first financial year in which it applies this IFRS. Furthermore, if it is impracticable, when an entity first applies this IFRS, to prepare information about claims development that occurred before the beginning of the earliest period for which an entity presents full comparative information that complies with this IFRS, the entity shall disclose that fact

Redesignation of financial assets

Despite paragraph 4.4.1 of IFRS 9, when an insurer changes its accounting policies for insurance liabilities, it is permitted, but not required, to reclassify some or all of its financial assets so that they are measured at fair value. This reclassification is permitted if an insurer changes accounting policies when it first applies this IFRS and if it makes a subsequent policy change permitted by paragraph 22. The reclassification is a change in accounting policy and IAS 8 applies

Appendix A Defined terms

This appendix is an integral part of the IFRS

 

cedant deposit component

 

The policyholder under a reinsurance contract A contractual component that is not accounted for as a derivative under IFRS 9 and would be within the scope of IFRS 9 if it were a separate instrument

direct insurance contract

An insurance contract that is not a reinsurance contract

discretionary participation feature

 

A contractual right to receive, as a supplement to guaranteed benefits, additional benefits

a)that are likely to be a significant portion of the total contractual benefits

b) whose amount or timing is contractually at the discretion of the issuer; and

c)that are contractually based on

the performance of a specified pool of contracts or a specified type of contract realised and/or unrealised investment returns on a specified pool of assets held by the issuer; or the profit or loss of the company, fund or other entity that issues the contract

fair value

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. (See IFRS 13)

financial guarantee contract

 

A contract that requires the issuer to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance with the original or modified terms of a debt instrument

financial risk

 

The risk of a possible future change in one or more of a specified interest rate, financial instrument price, commodity price, foreign exchange rate, index of prices or rates, credit rating or credit index or other variable, provided in the case of a non-financial variable that the variable is not specific to a party to the contract

 guaranteed benefits

Payments or other benefits to which a particular policyholder or investor has an unconditional right that is not subject to the contractual discretion of the issuer

guaranteed element

 

An obligation to pay guaranteed benefits, included in a contract that contains a discretionary participation feature

insurance asset

An insurer's net contractual rights under an insurance contract

insurance contract

insurance risk from another party (the policyholder) by agreeing to compensate the policyholder if a specified uncertain future event (the insured event) adversely affects the policyholder. (See Appendix B for guidance on this definition

insurance liability

An insurer's net contractual obligations under an insurance contract Risk, other than financial risk, transferred from the holder of a contract to the issuer

insurance risk

An uncertain future event that is covered by an insurance contract and creates insurance risk

insured event

The party that has an obligation under an insurance contract to compensate a policyholder if an insured event occurs

insurer

An assessment of whether the carrying amount of an insurance liability needs to be increased (or the carrying amount of related deferred

liability adequacy test

acquisition costs or related intangible assets decreased), based on a review of future cash flows

policyholder

A party that has a right to compensation under an insurance contract if an insured event occurs  A cedant's net contractual rights under a reinsurance contract

reinsurance assets

An insurance contract issued by one insurer (the reinsurer) to compensate

reinsurance contract

another insurer (the cedant) for losses on one or more contracts issued by the cedant

reinsurer

The party that has an obligation under a reinsurance contract to compensate a cedant if an insured event occurs

unbundle

Account for the components of a contract as if they were separate contracts

Appendix B  Definition of an insurance contract

 

This appendix is an integral part of the IFRS  This appendix gives guidance on the definition of an insurance contract in Appendix A. It addresses the following issues

(a)the term 'uncertain future event' (paragraphs B2-B4

(b)payments in kind (paragraphs B5-B7

(c)insurance risk and other risks (paragraphs B8-B17

(d)examples of insurance contracts (paragraphs B18-B21

(e)significant insurance risk (paragraphs B22-B28); and

(f)changes in the level of insurance risk (paragraphs B29 and B30

Uncertain future event

Uncertainty (or risk) is the essence of an insurance contract. Accordingly, at

least one of the following is uncertain at the inception of an insurance contract:

a) whether an insured event will occur

b)when it will occur; or

c)how much the insurer will need to pay if it occurs

In some insurance contracts, the insured event is the discovery of a loss during the term of the contract, even if the loss arises from an event that occurred before the inception of the contract. In other insurance contracts, the insured event is an event that occurs during the term of the contract, even if the resulting loss is discovered after the end of the contract term

Some insurance contracts cover events that have already occurred, but whose financial effect is still uncertain. An example is a reinsurance contract that covers the direct insurer against adverse development of claims already reported by policyholders. In such contracts, the insured event is the discovery of the ultimate cost of those claims

Payments in kind

Some insurance contracts require or permit payments to be made in kind. An example is when the insurer replaces a stolen article directly, instead of reimbursing the policyholder. Another example is when an insurer uses its own hospitals and medical staff to provide medical services covered by the contract

Some fixed-fee service contracts in which the level of service depends on an uncertain event meet the definition of an insurance contract in this IFRS but are not regulated as insurance contracts in some countries. One example is a maintenance contract in which the service provider agrees to repair specified equipment after a malfunction. The fixed service fee is based on the expected number of malfunctions, but it is uncertain whether a particular machine will break down. The malfunction of the equipment adversely affects its owner and the contract compensates the owner (in kind, rather than cash). Another

example is a contract for car breakdown services in which the provider agrees, for a fixed annual fee, to provide roadside assistance or tow the car to a nearby garage. The latter contract could meet the definition of an insurance contract even if the provider does not agree to carry out repairs or replace parts

Applying the IFRS to the contracts described in paragraph B6 is likely to be no more burdensome than applying the IFRSs that would be applicable if such contracts were outside the scope of this IFRS

a)There are unlikely to be material liabilities for malfunctions and breakdowns that have already occurred

b)If IAS 18 Revenue applied, the service provider would recognise revenue by

c)reference to the stage of completion (and subject to other specified criteria). That approach is also acceptable under this IFRS, which permits the service provider (i) to continue its existing accounting policies for thesecontracts unless they involve practices prohibited by paragraph 14 and (ii) to improve its accounting policies if so permitted by paragraphs 22-30The service provider considers whether the cost of meeting its

(d)contractual obligation to provide services exceeds the revenue received in advance. To do this, it applies the liability adequacy test described in paragraphs 15-19 of this IFRS. If this IFRS did not apply to these contracts, the service provider would apply IAS 37 to determine whether the contracts are onerous For these contracts, the disclosure requirements in this IFRS are unlikely to add significantly to disclosures required by other IFRSs

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