Car insurance premiums. Profit or loss.

I was watching the TV at Bournemouth airport when I saw 2 ads for car insurance. Both ads offered big incentives to take out a car insurance policy with the particular insurance company eg 3 months free insurance etc. It struck me as peculiar because car insurers report that they are losing money on car insurance and the Government must do somethig about the compensation culture (helpfully fuelled by the insurers themselves) that causes their losses and high premiums. Why would you want to sell loss making policies and then offer discounts in order to sell more. Answers on a postcard……