Total premiums invoiced to the policyholder at inception, regardless of the associated coverage period.
Written premiums (gross written premiums, GWP) denote the full premiums invoiced during a period, regardless of when coverage begins or ends. A premium is recorded at inception even if coverage extends into the following year. The gap between written and earned premiums is the unearned premium reserve (UPR). Under US statutory convention, the expense ratio uses written premiums (trade basis combined ratio) while the loss ratio stays on earned premiums. European practice typically uses earned premiums for both ratios. GWP is the standard measure of portfolio size and market share.
Lloyd's of London publishes annual GWP as a market barometer; in 2023 they reached approximately £46 bn across all lines.
written premiums, gross written premiums, GWP, primes brutes émises