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

Unincorporated association with each insured insuring the other insureds within the association. (Thus, each participant in this pool is both an insurer and an insured.) An attorney-in-fact ...

Transfer of property from a bailor to a bailee; for example, transferring a suit to be cleaned from the bailor (owner) to the bailee (cleaners). ...

Addition to a business property insurance policy to cover loss of earnings, subject to a monthly limit, in the event that property of an insured is destroyed and a business cannot continue. ...

Statement of the financial condition of the insurance company, as well as significant events during the year in which the company has been involved and/or that have affected the company. ...

Circumstances that encourage the organization of pension plans by employers. For example, employer contributions are tax deductible as business expenses and not currently taxable income to ...

Record of losses, whether or not insured. This record is used in predicting future losses and in developing premium rates based on expectation of insured losses. ...

Commission that is paid based on how profitable a particular type of business proves to be that is written by an agent. ...

Coverage against loss as the result of a burglary. Found as part of the commercial package policy that has generally replaced the special multiperil insurance (smp) policy and the ...

Organization founded in 1993, the thesis of which is to apply quality management principles to insurance functions. To this end, the organization is involved in insurance industry-wide ...

Popular Insurance Questions