zurich insurance group ag on thursday reported strong topline growth across its divisions during the first quarter of the year the swiss insurer said gross written premiums at its property  casualty division came in at 1193 billion up 12 from a year earlier on a likeforlike basis the company said premiums in the unit rose strongly helped by rate increases in commercial insurance which also boosted margins despite inflationary pressures we expect rates to exceed losscost trend well into 2023 it added life annual premium equivalent rose 14 on a likeforlike basis while farmers exchanges gross written premiums jumped 29 helped by the inclusion of newly acquired metlife in the divisions results the swiss solvency test ratio a measure of capital strength improved to 234 from 212 a year earlier the insurer said it is confident that it will successfully conclude its strategic cycle at the end of this year