Auto insurance polices generated 59.46% of gross premium income of Bulgaria’s general insurance companies last year; show 2002 figures from the insurance supervision directorate of the Financial Supervision Commission. The motor insurance segment also accounted for 76.37% of total damage claims. Experts attributed last year’s 19.41% y-o-y rise in insurance revenues to premium hikes and not to better market penetration. Bulstrad held on to its top position in 2002 with a 21.65% share of the market, followed by Allianz Bulgaria and DZI with their respective 18.12% and 14.44% chunks. But inconclusive Q1 data suggest DZI may have leapfrogged Allianz into the No2 spot. The 20 local auto insurers derived one third of their 2002 income in the amount of BGN 153.6 M form general motor insurance with Bul Ins taking a hefty lead of 34% on second ranked Allianz Bulgaria with its 19% market share. Bulgarian motors spent BGN 124 M on third party liability cover last year. The figure includes the local sales of Green Card policies purchased by motorists traveling abroad. Bulstrad which ruled the third party segment with 44% of sales and was followed by DZI with a 19 % share, generated 76% of the BGN 44 M of Green Card sales recorded in 2002 but also footed the bill for 99.7% of claims filed that year. Sales of fire and natural disaster insurance reached BGN 94 M or 20% of the 2002 revenue tally. Energiya, a joint venture of the national power utility and Allianz Bulgaria that sells coverage to energy facilities, and DZI were the biggest players on this segment with almost identical 23.4% and 22.6% market share.