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

Provision of a treaty reinsurance contract stating that if an insurer fails to report a risk that would normally be covered, the re insurer is still liable for the risk. ...

Coverage of an employee group whose members receive a monthly disability income benefit, subject to a maximum amount, if illness or accident prevents a member from performing the normal ...

Critical point in the total amount of claims paid above which the excess insurance policy pays a percentage (generally 80-100%) of the claims for any policy year experience. ...

Coverage for an insured's liability for damage to another's property from leakage or overflow of water. Some liability policies specifically exclude water damage, including that caused by ...

Geographical area in which commerce can be conducted without tariffs being applied. The concept was adopted in insurance through the use of a reinsurance facility for buying and selling of ...

Total limit on the amount of coverage an insurer will underwrite on an individual risk. The amount underwritten includes the amount to be ceded through a reinsurance agreement. ...

Type of insurance providing all risks coverage for personal property of the crew and passengers aboard a ship. Marine cargo insurance does not cover personal property of the crew and ...

Association formed to address the requirements of government risk pools. ...

Includes rate of return, how long the annuity's interest rate is guaranteed, loads (front, middle and back), financial ranking of the insurance company offering the annuity, the monthly ...

Popular Insurance Questions