Definition of "Proprietary insurer"

The term proprietary insurer may seem like a tongue-twister and a mind-twister in itself. It kind of is. But what is the definition of a proprietary insurer? A proprietary insurer is a for-profit insurance company specializing in insuring high-risk items.

Mutual vs. proprietary companies

People often mistake proprietary and mutual insurance companies. On the one hand, a mutual or joint organization encompasses owners and clients who are virtually the same individuals. In other words, customers can also be the company’s proprietors. We call life assurance companies, insurance societies, or even credit unions a mutual company. Their members enjoy the same amount of voting power, regardless of their investment in the organization. 

On the other hand, shareholders own proprietary organizations, such as limited companies and banks. Shareholdings determine the voting rights of a proprietary company. 

Premiums and profits

The so-called Deed of Settlement brought mutual companies into existence. They could also register under the Companies Acts. These types of organizations belong to policyholders, who share the revenue and income. At the same time, shareholders at proprietary companies collect their profits in dividends and premiums. In contrast, the policyholder owner at the mutual company may obtain a more significant life assurance and smaller bonuses.

Mutual and proprietary companies can issue dividends. Still, the government considers dividends a profit on the premium at mutual companies. They will not tax policyholders. However, they believe dividends as income subject to tax proprietary insurance companies.

One cannot tell about a company based on their names, whether mutual or proprietary. Organizations originally established as mutual are now registered as proprietary companies in various instances.

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

Cost per unit of insurance. ...

Waiver of an impairment of an applicant for health insurance by attaching an endorsement to the health insurance policy stating that the policy will pay no benefits in connection with the ...

Provision that the equity of an insured in a life insurance policy cannot be forfeited. There are four benefits a policyholder can select under the option: cash surrender value, extended ...

Same as term Buy-Back Deductible: deductible eliminated through the payment of an additional premium, resulting in first-dollar coverage under the policy. ...

Special policy blank issued by an insured for individual shipments or other purposes under an open policy. The open policy allows an insured to buy protection for all marine business for an ...

services provided in an employee benefit plan such as a pension plan. An employer provides the clerical staff to operate the plan, in effect acting as custodian. The trustee provides ...

Insurance for private pleasure boats. Coverage is not standard, but is generally broken down into insurance for yachts, including sailboats; boats with inboard motors under marine ...

Case where an insurance company is placed by the state court under the control of the state insurance department. Claims are paid in the order filed until the insurance company's ability to ...

Coverage for an insured manufacturer for claims after a manufactured product has been sold and/or a claim results from an operation which the manufacturer has completed. ...

Popular Insurance Questions