Catastrophic Insurance Futures And Options

Definition of "Catastrophic insurance futures and options"

Nelson Montanez  real estate agent

Written by

Nelson Montanez elite badge icon

Brass Moon Realty

First exchange-traded risk management tool specifically developed for the insurance industry by the Chicago Board of Trade as a way for the primary insurance company to offset its underwriting exposures. See also futures tied to reinsurance. These contracts are designed to provide the insurance company with a hedge against underwriting losses resulting from catastrophic occurrences. The futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a commodity or financial instrument at a set price on a given date. The option permits the owner to decide whether or not to exercise the option to buy or sell the commodity or financial instrument by the stipulated exercise date. The insurance option trading is based on the loss ratio concept (losses incurred over a stipulated time period divided by premiums earned over the same time period). For example, assume an insurance company buys an option on the loss ratio that will fall within the range of 50% to 70%. Should losses fall within that range, the insurance company would then exercise the option and sell the contract, thereby enabling the company to make a profit on the option. This profit could then be used by the company to offset losses. Should the loss portion not fall within the 50% to 70% range, the option would expire at zero value.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Coverage for automobiles used by a business when a liability judgment arises out of the use of the automobile, or the automobile is subject to damage or destruction. The business can select ...

Coverage for the inside of an insured premises of a business firm if it experiences a loss of money, securities, personal property, and damage or destruction of real or personal property ...

Four-year institution of higher learning. The degree programs include insurance, risk management, actuarial science, and financial services. ...

Deduction allowed for gifts and bequests to a spouse for federal estate and gift tax purposes. Under the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA), the deduction became unlimited. Prior to ...

Time limit on the deferred ownership of property such that, 21 years after the property owner dies, the deferred ownership of that property terminates. ...

Coverage providing protection for a business against loss from a hazard under the On-Premises Form, that provides all risk protection against the loss of money and securities; or the ...

Insurance policy designed to provide coverage for the deductible amount and the coinsurance amount required to be paid by the medicare recipient. Some of these policies will also continue ...

Period, set by law, after which a damage claim cannot be made. Limits are set by individual states and usually range from one to seven years. ...

Care in a sanitarium, nursing home, or other facility designed to provide custodial care on behalf of the mental and physical well-being of the patient. The cost may or may not be provided ...

Popular Insurance Questions