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

Section of the insurance company that administers claims for the losses incurred by the insured. ...

Total earned premiums minus total expenses and losses paid of the insurance company. ...

Under Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code, stipulation that the exchange of one life insurance policy for another life insurance policy will generally not result in a recognized gain ...

Section providing protection under three coverages: Coverage E (Personal Liability} coverage in the event a suit is brought against the insured because of bodily injury and/or property ...

Premium charged (and applied on a uniform basis) for property insurance covering properties at multiple locations. This rate is used under a blanket insurance policy instead of using a ...

Sales honor group of property and casualty insurance agents created by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents. ...

Monthly income payment from a disability income insurance policy made to the insured wage earner when income has been interrupted or terminated because of illness, sickness, or accident ...

Government reinsurance program that provided coverage for U.S. properties during World War II. Private insurers shared the first layer of coverage, with the government providing ...

If the annuitant dies before receiving total income at least equal to the premiums paid, the beneficiary receives the difference in a lump sum. If the annuitant lives after the income paid ...

Popular Insurance Questions