Updates

** Shares of general insurers QBE Insurance QBE.AX, Insurance Australia Group IAG.AX and Suncorp SUN.AX rise between 0.5% and 1.9%

** Analysts at Jefferies say markets will focus on gross written premiums growth for Australian insurers this reporting season

** Adds, although the sector is set to gain from lower reinsurance, tailwinds from rising interest rates and mid-teens premium growth are starting to fade

** Brokerage says IAG is expected to report FY25 insurance profit of A$1.74 bln ($1.13 bln), up 21%, with perils claims tracking A$200 mln below budget

** Jefferies expects analysts to eye catastrophe exposure after a volatile H1 for QBE, though claims are seen within budget

** Adds investor focus will be on capital management and performance under the new re-insurance structure at SUN

** Expects QBE's FY26 earnings to be 8% higher, while IAG and SUN to decline by 9% and 7%, respectively

** YTD, QBE, IAG and SUN up nearly 23%, 4% and 10% respectively

($1 = 1.5385 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee and Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru)

((Rishav.Chatterjee@thomsonreuters.com))