Definition of "Financial reinsurance"

Transaction of reinsurance under which there is a limit on the total liability of the re-insurer and future investment income is a recognized component of the underwriting process. This financial instrument incorporates the time value of money into the CEDING process such that the CEDENT can re-insure its liabilities at a premium rate less than the true rate for the liabilities transferred (difference in the two rates to be made up by the investment income generated during the years the reinsurance contract remains in force). Financial reinsurance can be used effectively in several situations:

  1. surplus relief (QUOTA SHARE REINSURANCE) CEDING COMPANY transfers a percentage of its book of business to the re-insurer (there insurer will limit its total liability under any one contract).
  2. portfolio transfers ceding company transfers reserves on known losses to the re-insurer in exchange for premiums equal to the present value of the future claims experience.
  3. retrospective aggregates ceding company transfers reserves on known losses as well as INCURRED BUT NOT REPORTED LOSSES (IBNR).
  4. prospective aggregates ceding company pays a premium on a PROSPECTIVE RATING basis to the re-insurer. In exchange, the re-insurer is obligated to pay future losses incurred by the cedent. If these future losses are less than expected, the cedent will receive the UNDERWRITING GAIN. Any gains from investments and fees will be retained by the re-insurer. Through this mechanism, in essence, the cedent gains current capacity for writing additional business by borrowing against income to be received in the future.
  5. catastrophe protection coverage against shock losses is provided by spreading the payment of such losses over several years.

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

Break in commercial activities due to the occurrence of a peril. Coverage against business interruption by various named perils can be obtained through insurance. ...

Financial instruments whose principal and income are not established in advance according to contractual terms set forth in the financial instruments document. Both the principal and income ...

Federal law comparable to state workers compensation statutes setting out liability of railroads for work-related injuries or death of their employees. Railroad employees are not covered by ...

Policies that have been sold to and paid for by an insured, but not yet delivered to the insured. ...

Same as term Excess of Loss Reinsurance: method whereby an insurer pays the amount of each claim for each risk up to a limit determined in advance and the re-insurer pays the amount of the ...

Bonds that are sold at discount from their maturity value with the interest compounding and paid at the bond's maturity date. Even though these bonds do not pay interest until maturity, the ...

To transfer a risk from an insurance company to a reinsurance company. ...

Individual prohibited under the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (erisa) from conducting transactions with a trust plan. The prohibition is intended to prevent a conflict of ...

Effort by an individual to continue to receive disability income benefits by taking a continuing sickness or injury. ...

Popular Insurance Questions