Definition of "Self insurance"

Shelayna West, Owner real estate agent

Written by

Shelayna West, Ownerelite badge icon

West Premier Home Group-
Keller Williams Legacy Realty

Protecting against loss by setting aside one's own money. This can be done on a mathematical basis by establishing a separate fund into which funds are deposited on a periodic basis. Through self insurance it is possible to protect against high-FREQUENCY, low-severity losses. To do this through an insurance company would mean having to pay a premium that includes loadings for the company's general expenses, cost of putting the policy on the books, acquisition expenses, premium taxes, and contingencies.

Comments for Self Insurance

Charles Scoma Charles Scoma said:

Our company is in the business of constructing homes. We own some 25 houses we lease. We are willing to cover the cost of reconstruction of the leased properties as a the limit of insurance. However here in Texas there are two ways insurance companies write policies - ACV (actual cash value) and 80% coinsurance. We would like to set up a trust account to self-insure the properties. What are the tax imprecations of a trust fund as the third party insurer of our properties?

Aug 13, 2018  16:55:11

 
Real Estate Agent

Charles,

we believe there are several complications to your plan. A self-insurance is typically used to protect against damages that are frequent but are not substantial price-wise. Home construction damages are usually not inexpensive; we're not even sure if it's possible because of labor union's rules etc. We suggest you talk with an accountant about the tax implications of self-insurance and also with a real estate lawyer to check not only if it's possible but viable. Good luck!

Aug 14, 2018  11:03:37
 
 
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

Reinsurance term under which the reinsurer exercises its faculty or prerogative to insure a risk or reject a risk from a ceding company. ...

One of two bureaus that writes forms and files standard rates for inland marine insurance. The other is the inland marine insurance bureau. ...

Costs incurred by an insurance company other than agent commissions and taxes; that is, mainly the administrative expense of running a company. ...

Act first passed by the United States Congress in 1981 and later amended in 1986 that provides for the establishment of risk retention groups whose purpose is to sell product liability ...

Same as term Deductible: amount of loss that insured pays in a claim; includes the following types: Absolute dollar amount. Amount the insured must pay before the company will pay, up to ...

Sum that an insurance company charges a business firm to restore a property or liability insurance policy, or a bond, to its initial face value after the insurance company has paid a claim ...

Insurance company's reinsurance commissions and expense allowances divided by its adjusted surplus account. The smaller this ratio, the more financially sound the insurance company, since ...

Statute in most states under which, if no evidence exists in a common disaster (when an insured and beneficiary die within a short time of each other in an accident for which determination ...

Combination of contributions of many investors whose money is used to buy stocks, bonds, commodities, options, and/or money market funds, or precious metals such as gold, or foreign ...

Popular Insurance Questions