Ecclesiastical Insurance has reported a pre-tax group loss of about GBP7.7m for 2011 when compared to GBP50.4m profit recorded in 2010.

The company’s General insurance gross written premium (GWP) also reduced from GBP474.4m in 2010 to £465m the previous year, and the company posted an underwriting loss of GBP16.1m.

Ecclesiastical managing director Steve Wood said clearly the company has been challenged in some aspects of its business.

"We have seen a rise in slip and trip claims, a lot more public liability and employers’ liability claims," Wood said.

The company’s net new funds for investment management business rose to GBP142m while its group investment returns were GBP8.5m when compared to GBP60.1m in 2010.