Definition of "Combined ratio"

Candice  Santos real estate agent

Written by

Candice Santoselite badge icon

Neno-Rosa Agency

In insurance, combination of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. The combined ratio is important to an insurance company since it indicates whether or not the company is earning a profit on the business it is writing, not taking into account investment returns on the premiums received. The property and casualty insurance business sometimes goes through cycles. During the 1980s, for instance, it was not unusual to have a combined ratio of over 120%. Obviously, the difference has to be made up from the company's surplus, which in some instances even put the major companies under severe financial strain.

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

LIFE INSURANCE: specification by each state regarding the minimum assumptions that must be used in reserve calculations as theypertain to the maximum interest rate that can be assumed; ...

Situation in which parties agree to take part in a structured settlement negotiation through the guidance of a neutral expert. By participating in this process, the parties do not agree ...

Same as term Final insurance: premiums paid out of funds borrowed from the cash value of a life insurance policy. ...

Same as term Coinsurance: ...

Statement in which a life insurance applicant is charged a higher-than-standard premium to reflect a unique impairment, occupation, or hobby, such as a history of heart disease or a circus ...

Evidence of a temporary contract obliging a life or health insurance company to provide coverage as long as a premium accompanies an acceptable application. This gives the company time to ...

Termination of coverage in insurance. ...

Model state law that stipulates minimum benefits that must be contained in the policy provisions, restrictions on policy illustrations, minimum reserve requirements, and minimum ...

Falsification of birth date by an applicant for a life or health insurance policy. If the company discovers that the wrong age was given, the coverage will be adjusted to reflect the ...

Popular Insurance Questions