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

Type of guaranteed investment contract in which the interest rate credited is tied to an external index such as the United States Treasury Bond Index. ...

Instrument that uses noncombustible substances such as carbon dioxide to deprive a fire of oxygen, thereby extinguishing it. ...

Insured losses that have occurred but have not been reported to a primary insurance company. These types of claims have a tremendous effect on a reinsurance treaty, which may be showing a ...

Organization of over 300 property and casualty insurance companies whose mission is to investigate fraudulent claims and bring to justice those making such claims. ...

one in which the amount and frequency of payment may fluctuate. ...

Stated fixed payment for maternity costs regardless of the actual costs. ...

Type of health maintenance organization (HMO) that issues contracts to independent physicians. These physicians are paid a per visit fee for seeing an HMO member or are paid an annual fixed ...

Same as term Floater: coverage for property which moves from location to location either on a scheduled or unscheduled basis. If the floater covers scheduled property, coverage is listed ...

Actions not allowed between a trust and a disqualified person under the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (erisa). The disallowed actions are designed to prevent a conflict of ...

Popular Insurance Questions