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

Annual contributions to a pension plan that exceed or are smaller than the minimum required for future employee benefits currently being earned; and any supplemental liability for past ...

Combination of the funds of many policyholders held in a single account and invested as a single entity. ...

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 ...

Securities that derive their value from other financial instruments that are used by the insurance company to hedge its bets on which direction the market is moving. For example, cattle ...

Cash carried forward from the previous year, plus gains from operations for the current year, plus any capital gains. ...

Central (main) office of an insurance company whose facilities usually include actuarial, claims, investment, legal, underwriting, agency, and marketing departments. ...

Type of guaranteed insurance contract in which the term is fixed, the rate is fixed, and the contract owner does not participate in the insurance company's earnings. ...

Time at which life insurance death proceeds or endowments are paid, either at the death of an insured or at the end of the endowment period. ...

Method of selling insurance in which the insured purchases the product directly from the insurance company and not through an agent. ...

Popular Insurance Questions