Insurance company FBD reported operating profits of €126 million for 2004 and said it has benefited from measures to combat bogus personal injury claims.
Gross premiums written fell by 4.6 per cent to €351.5 million as a result of rate reductions across all insurance classes.
FBD said the fall in premium masks strong growth in policy numbers, where sales in personal business well ahead of target. Net earned premiums grew by 2 per cent to €296.2 million reflecting higher returns from existing business.
In its results statement the company said the the fall in the incidence of injury claims has been "one of the most noteworthy and significant outcomes.
Going forward, the need for the Government to maintain momentum in implementing all of the insurance reforms which have been identified is of paramount importance to insurers and policyholders alike."
The company will pay a final dividend of 27.28 cent, bringing the total dividend for the year to 40.00 cent, an increase of 45 per cent on the corresponding 2003 figure .