Definition of "Derivatives"

Seth Greenwell real estate agent

Written by

Seth Greenwellelite badge icon

Anchor Point Realty

Securities that derive their value from other financial instruments that are used by the insurance company to hedge its bets on which direction the market is moving. For example, cattle futures are a simple derivative in that the cattle futures contract increases or decreases in value as future prices change for cows on the hoof. When insurance companies use derivatives, they are more likely to use them in association with currency and interest rate transactions as a means of protecting themselves against adverse moves in interest rates or foreign currency exchanges. This instrument provides a mechanism for hedging against the interest rate risks that are inherent within insurance products by pricing in that risk in advance and protecting against future negative occurrences.

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

Offer made by the insurance company to insure an applicant, provided the applicant is insurable according to the underwriting standards of the company, and the applicant accepts the offer ...

Commitment that a lending institution makes to offer a loan at a stipulated interest rate at a predetermined future time, usually limited to 90 days. ...

Combination of the federal estate tax and the federal gift tax. ...

Investment risk associated with the changes in government policies that may have a dramatic effect on financial instruments. For example, if federal legislation is passed removing the ...

Same as term Coinsurance: ...

Legislation that makes insurance fraud a federal crime. This act is part of the Omnibus Crime Bill. Under the act, it is a federal crime to embezzle or misappropriate funds, money, or ...

Common law rule of negligence that imposes liability on an individual who had one last opportunity to avoid an accident but did not take it. An example is a driver who could have avoided ...

(Formerly the American College of Life Underwriters) accrediting body for the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designations. Provides ...

Same as term Compulsory Insurance: coverage required by the laws of a particular state. For example, many states stipulate minimum amounts of automobile liability insurance that must be ...

Popular Insurance Questions