Have you wondered what happens when an insurance company gets exposed to risks that greatly affect the business and its clients to the extent of business closure? Well, the answer is straightforward. Reinsurance comes into play to restore the business to daily operations. Simply put, insurance companies spread risk by acquiring policies from other companies, the reinsurers, which spreads the loss in case of an insured risk. In this post, we'll look deeply into reinsurance, the precise history, how reinsurance works, and appreciate the benefits accrued. Let's dive in to reinsurance!
What Is Reinsurance?
Reinsurance is an act whereby an insurance company insures with another insurance company (reinsurer). We can say it's insurance for insurance companies. During the process, the insurance companies reinsure part or all the risks with the reinsurer.
Reinsurer aims to indemnify the claims based on the percentage agreed and the policy or policies at hand. However, the insurance company doesn't enjoy the benefits of spreading the risk if they fail to honor the premium portions agreed during the policy signing. Note that reinsurance is different from co-insurance. In co-insurance, insurance companies pull together to compensate a particular risk, but with reinsurance, the reinsurer is the last option to go to.
A Precise History Of Reinsurance
Insurance dates back to the 4th century. However, in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, insurance gained traction. Thanks to the marine and fire businesses that opted for insurance plans. According to the Reinsurance Association of America, reinsurance dates back to 14th Century.
But things turned around with modern insurance, revolutionizing the industry even better. Many businesses can now take reinsurance and more covers that suit them from insurance companies (more on this later). The processes are now reliable and streamlined. With continued improvements and customization of insurance policies, many companies prioritize reinsurance to remain in business.
Types Of Reinsurance And How It Works
Reinsurance is a complex subject, with so much to cover. But with the basics and understanding of the main types, you're good to go. Here are the two primary types of reinsurance:
• Treaty reinsurance --- the agreement involves the insurers' risk as parts or whole. There is a stipulated duration that the reassurance will run.
• Facultative reinsurance --- this type involves the agreements that cover specific risks. The reinsurer starts with carrying out professional assessments to know the worth of the policy to give. From that, it's easy to know the exact premiums to pay.
The above types can also be either proportional or non-proportional. Proportional is where your preferred reinsurer only pays a portion of the total risk cost, and the insurer caters for the rest. In non-proportional reinsurance, your reinsurer will only come in to cater for the excess loss, the extra amount that's beyond what the company can afford at the moment.
But How Does Reinsurance Work?
Well, it's in the public domain that some insurance companies avoid certain policies or clients who need various costly specifications --- nothing further from the truth. That happens because the insurance company has not spread the risk.
With reinsurance, companies can allow any client without fear of loss in case an insured risk occurs. Huge compensations, especially where the contributors have been paying extensive premiums, will bankrupt an insurance company without reinsurance.
For example, if a local estate with various properties gets exposed to fire risks and the property owners suffer immense loss from the inferno, it means the compensations will translate to huge amounts of money. If a single insurance company insured all the houses, they would spend a lot. However, reinsurance makes it possible to ease the compensation costs.
Note that the regulation of an insurer is dependent on individual state laws. The company must have finances to run all through and compensate most of its claims. Reinsurance should only come when the insurance company is in a position that calls for help to boost the claims payment.
Do You Need Reinsurance For Your Business Insurance?
You already know that insurance companies will help spread the risk. But the reality is that the benefits exceed beyond that. Here's what we're talking about:
• Give business confidence. Businesses that know they are covered tend to perform better and exploit the industry further without worry.
• Guarantees growth of insurance companies. With premiums paid and reinsurers ready to compensate insured claims, companies can expand their growth to boost their revenue pool.
• Security from massive losses. Every insurance company that religiously pays premiums should not worry about extensive storms and tornados --- the payment is on time.
Other Main Types of Business Insurance Policies
Besides reinsurance, other business insurance coverage come in handy to protect your businesses from unforeseen circumstances. With the right coverage, you have a chance to scale your insurance company. Here's the list:
• Workers Compensation Insurance for all the insurance company employees in case of death, disability or medical treatment
• Public liability insurance to protect the company from negligence that leads to risks
• Data breach insurance to protect the company from loses due to information breach
• Property insurance in case of storm, theft, fire among other risks
• Business interruption insurance due to accidents or catastrophes
Reinsurance Conclusion
Not all clients will file a claim. But when a claim occurs, and it happens to expose your business to possible bankruptcy, reinsurance companies reduce the burden. Other business insurance coverage offer protection and assure peaceful business operations. You must, however, pay all your premiums without fail. Based on the business worth and probability of loss, the amount of monthly premium varies.
Overall though, no matter how you look at it, reinsurance is a smart way to mitigate risk and reduce liability for greater peace of mind with your business.
