Zurich records GWP up

Zurich recorded general insurance gross written premiums (GWP) and policy fees of $20.6bn (£11.2bn), up 8% from the previous year, and a combined ratio of 96.2%, an improvement of 0.3% for the first six months of 2008. The general insurance business operating profit was $2.2bn, up 22% on the same period last year. In a statement, the insurer said: "Business operating profit was up 22%, largely driven by an increase in the underwriting results, particularly in non-US markets, and higher