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PRODUCT |
ADVANTAGES |
CONSIDERATIONS |
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Fixed Cost Plans. Premiums are
set at a specific dollar amount during the policy period and pay
plans are determined based upon mutual needs. Under this option,
the insured transfers risk to the insurer who pays all the claims
under your program. |
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Insurer services |
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Predetermined premium financing and budgeting |
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Ease of administration |
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Low or no cash
flow |
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Inability to
receive return premiums for favorable loss experience |
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Adjustable premium
on auditable exposures |
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Incurred Loss Retro. The
ultimate cost of insurance is determined by the actual incurred
loss experience for a specific policy year. The indicated
retrospective premium is adjusted annually until all claims are
paid and closed. The ultimate cost can be limited on a specific
and maximum basis. |
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Insurer services |
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Stop loss can be provided |
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Favorable loss experience reduces ultimate cost |
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Low or no cash
flow |
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Challenging to
budget |
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Final cost not
known for several years |
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Adjustment process |
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Paid Loss Retro. The ultimate
cost of insurance is determined using the same retrospective
formula as an incurred loss retro. However, premiums are
determined utilizing paid loss amounts rather than incurred
(reserved) amounts. The program is adjusted annually until all
claims are paid and closed. Premium deferral is introduced into
the installment plan to provide the opportunity to reduce initial
cash outlay to company expenses and an initial loss fund. The
deferred premium amount is generally collateralized with a letter
of credit. The ultimate cost can be limited on a specific or
maximum basis. |
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Insurer services |
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Stop loss can be provided |
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Favorable loss experience reduces ultimate cost |
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Improved cash flow |
|
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Challenging to
budget |
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Final cost not
known for several years |
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Loss fund may be
required |
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Collateral
required |
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Large Deductible Program.
Program functions similarly as a paid loss retro. The ultimate
cost of insurance is the sum of the company expense (deductible
premium), paid losses and loss adjustment expense. Typically, the
estimated loss reimbursements are secured by a letter of credit
equal to total expected losses; however, other methods of
collateral are also available (cash, trust, combination).
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Insurer services |
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Favorable loss experience reduces ultimate cost |
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Cash flow advantages greatly improved |
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Reduced expenses |
|
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Challenging to
budget |
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Final cost not
known for several years |
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Loss fund may be
required |
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Collateral options
include Letters of Credit,
Cash and Trust Accounts |
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Prefunded Deductible Program.
Program functions similarly as a traditional large deductible. The
key difference is the method of collateralization. The insured is
required to remit cash in the amount of the estimated loss
reimbursements. This fund is used to secure the estimated
liabilities and acts as a "working trust" to cover monthly
reimbursements. The amount held is evaluated annually and adjusted
according to predetermined development factors at the time of
quoting. |
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Insurer services |
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Favorable loss experience reduces ultimate cost |
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Easier to administer than a Large Deductible Program |
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Upfront discount of expenses to lower net cost |
|
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Final cost not
known for several years |
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Reduced cash flow
benefits |
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Estimated losses
prepaid |
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Rent-a-Captive.
Suited for clients interested in the
benefits of a captive arrangement, but are considered too small
for their own wholly owned captive. Insured "rents" another
company's surplus and utilizes that company's captive. Insured
purchases insurance policy from carrier. Expenses are deducted,
leaving the balance as loss fund dollars. Loss fund is ceded to
the captive facility to pay losses on behalf of the insured.
Specific and aggregate reinsurance is purchased to further protect
the captive. Claims are handled by a TPA. Underwriting profit and
investment income are returned via dividend paid through a
Preferred Share Series. |
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Insurer services |
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Greater control of
claims |
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Quick entry into
captive arrangement |
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Return of
underwriting profit and investment income |
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Reduced cost in
handling risk |
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Lower capital cost |
|
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Risk
participation |
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Collateral required |
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Run-Off |
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Tax
implications |
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Requires increased
Senior Management involvement |
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Wholly Owned Captive (Client-Owned).
Clients that currently own their own captive facility, but are
looking for or need a new policy issuing carrier. Client purchases
an insurance policy that is re-insured by client's captive
facility. Other features the same as rent-a-captive program. |
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Insurer services |
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Greater control of claims |
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Return of underwriting profit and investment income |
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Support other lines of coverage |
|
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Risk participation |
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Collateral
required |
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Run-Off |
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Tax implications |
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Capitalization
requirements of domicile |
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Requires increased
Senior Management involvement |
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