Catastrophic Insurance Futures And Options
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.
Popular Insurance Terms
Model state law of the NAIC that stipulates minimum non forfeiture values, minimum valuation of assets requirements, and specific minimum policy provisions in universal life insurance ...
Latin phrase meaning "overpowering force"; an unavoidable accident or calamity; an accident for which no one is responsible; an act of god. ...
Compulsory employee benefit plan under which participants are entitled to a series of benefits as a matter of right. The plan is administered by a federal or state government agency and has ...
Contractual rights to a stipulated percentage of the increase in the value of an insurance agency over a given future period of time. They are used to convey a percentage of the increase in ...
(Formerly the American College of Life Underwriters) accrediting body for the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designations. Provides ...
Transportation firm that must carry any customer's goods if the customer is willing to pay. Common carriers include trucking companies, bus lines, and airlines. ...
Personal and family loss by death, disability, sickness, old age, accident, and unemployment. All of these exposures are insurable, and coverage's can be purchased under a variety of ...
Insurance company formed according to the legal requirements of a foreign country. In order for an alien insurer to be able to carry on general operations and sell its products in a ...
Coverage for extra expenses associated with the reconstruction of a damaged or destroyed building where zoning requirements mandate more costly construction material. This endorsement is ...

Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.