Chapter 5 Flashcards
What is the majority of policyholders surplus comprised of?
Past earnings
What affects capacity?
Growth
Investment results
Liquidity ratio formula
Cash + invested assets (FMV) / unearned premium + lae & loss reserve
What value of the liquidity ratio is desirable?
1.0
What result would aggressive valuation of reserves it reduction of FMV of investments have in the liquidity ratio?
Decrease
What does the premium-to-surplus ratio measure?
Relative exposure to underwriting risks
Capacity ratio formula
Net written premiums / surplus
What is a weakness of the capacity ratio?
Only considers one year if net written premiums
What does a high capacity ratio mean?
Company is aggressive in using surplus to leverage premium writing.
What is the value for capacity ratio recommended by the NAIC?
3:1
What does the reserves to surplus ratio measure?
Leverage
reserves to surplus ratio formula
Unearned premium reserve + loss&lae reserves / surplus
Combined ratio formula
Loss ratio + expense ratio
Ep formula?
Written premiums / expenses
Loss ratio formula?
Ep/claims
Operating ratio formula
Combined ratio - investment income ratio
Investment income ratio formula
Net investment income / ep
How does return on policyholder surplus assist in comparison of insurers?
Eliminates issues related to premium volume, underwriting results, and investment gains.
Summarizes overall operating success relative to resources.
This rating is an opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet insurance obligations. It rates insurers with quantitative and qualitative measures.
Financial Strength Rating (FSR)
WHat does the FSC (Financial Size Category) indicate?
The size of the insurer based on ph surplus, adjusted for reserves and contingencies.
What are the categories of AM Best’s ratios?
Profitability
Liquidity
Capital and leverage
Loss Reserves
What do the FSR qualitative tests evaluat?
Capital structure
Reinsurance agreements
Loss Reserves
What are the FSR qualitative tests?
Investment diversity (liquidity and diversity) Management (integrity, capability, experience) Market position (ability to increase market share) Event risk (exposure to risk) Surplus adequacy