What is the formula used to calculate the Combined Ratio?

The Combined Ratio is a key metric used in the insurance industry to assess an insurer's profitability from its underwriting activities. It is calculated by adding the total payouts and expenses incurred by an insurer and then dividing by the total premiums earned.

In this case, the formula incorporates both payouts (claims paid to policyholders) and expenses (costs incurred in acquiring and servicing insurance policies) to determine the efficiency and sustainability of the insurer's operations. A Combined Ratio below 100% indicates underwriting profitability, while a ratio above 100% suggests underwriting losses.

The other options introduce elements that are not included in the standard calculation of the Combined Ratio. For instance, including dividends or investment components complicates the formula and moves beyond the fundamental purpose of assessing underwriting performance based solely on premiums relative to claims and expenses. Thus, the simplest and most accurate representation of the Combined Ratio employs payouts and expenses divided by premiums.