Insurer Assurant profit rises on housing unit strength, lower catastrophes

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Insurer Assurant AIZ.N reported a rise fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, driven by strength in its housing unit and lower catastrophes.

Insurance spending has continued to remain resilient as individuals and businesses seek coverage to manage risks such as natural disasters and accidents.

Atlanta, Georgia-based Assurant provides specialty insurance products and related services globally. Its offerings include renters insurance, vehicle protection services, extended service contracts and lender-placed insurance products, among others.

The company's global housing unit — which offers lender-placed homeowner insurance, manufactured housing insurance and flood coverage — posted net earned premiums, fees and other income of $711.4 million for the fourth quarter, a 10% jump from a year earlier.

Reportable catastrophes dropped to $9.4 million in the quarter, from $50 million a year earlier.

The specialty insurance industry is expanding as traditional coverage models adapt to changing consumer needs, rising asset values and evolving technology.

Its net investment income rose to $140.3 million in the quarter ended December 31, compared with $137.8 million a year earlier.

Assurant's net income rose to $225.2 million, or $4.41 per share, in the three months ended December 31, from $201.3 million, or $3.87 per share, a year earlier.