AGENDA Overview Uses Of Facultative Reinsurance Advantages and Disadvantages Of Facultative Good Practices In Facultative Reinsurance Global Developments in Facultative FACULTATIVE REINSURANCE Overview – What Is Facultative Reinsurance? Arrangement in which individual risks are offered by an insurer to a reinsurer, who has the right (in other words the “faculty”) to accept or reject each individual risk Key issues Oldest form of reinsurance. Optional reinsurance of individual risks. Usage of facultative business to complement treaty reinsurances. Involves cession of individual risks to reinsurers. Cedents must provide all material facts Reinsures considers risks on merits Overview The facultative market Intermediaries Buyers of Fac Reinsurance Insurance Companies Reinsurance Brokers Sellers Of Facultative Reinsurance Professional Reinsurance Companies Other Insurance Companies Overview – Types Of Facultative Reinsurance Facultative Proportional Non Proportional Excess of Loss Stop Loss / Aggregate XL Pro rata arrangements Points to note Errors ( calculations, account details) Failure to secure cover Non placement of business Achieving system/filling Communication with reinsurer Non Proportional facultative Reinsured chooses to retain the “First” or “Primary” part of the risk Reinsurer charges lower premium than proportional percentage Reinsured point retains all claims up to the excess Premium is shared between deductible and limit of excess layer . Higher deductibles result in higher premium being retained. TYPICAL FIRST LOSS SCALE % “First Loss” to Declared Full SI Premium as a % of OG ( Cedant Share) Premium as % of OG) R/I share 10% 54% 46% 20% 66% 34% 30% 75% 25% 40% 80% 20% 50% 83% 17% 60% 85% 15% 70% 87% 13% 80% 91% 9% 90% 95% 5% Reasons for Placing Non Proportional Facultative Where cedant intends to retain more premium Where original rating is insufficient to attract reinsurance support proportionally. Frequency of losses is high. Large risks and risks in cat prone areas The most effective way to reduce an insurers exposure in the least expensive way-removes volatility Why Facultative Reinsurance? The traditional View Additional Capacity When reinsurance is not required on a regular basis e.g. space project. When portfolio does not justify treaty ( few risks, little experience etc.) Utilization of underwriting expertise To protect treaty results- reduction of exposure on higher risk business. Fronting Excluded risks Facultative Reinsurance Today To improve risk profile via carve out of particular perils, locations, or coverages to allow you to write a larger line, or help you become more price competitive To gross up participation on a program you would like to write in order to take the lead on it To remove a particular layer of exposure, such as the first layer in the event that the account has a loss frequency issue To purchase a deductible buy-back, in the event that the deductibles do not meet underwriting standards, reinsurance could cover the gap and allow the account to be written Managing volatility Accessing attractively priced, flexible capital Not tied to 12 month standard policy periods To reduce reinsurance premium spend To maintain or improve reinsurance protection To achieve optimum cost of capital levels ADVANTAGES OF FACULTATIVE REINSURANCE individual risk consideration competitive edge freedom to offer improving treaty results fac. reinsurer’s knowledge developing relationship DISADVANTAGES OF FACULTATIVE REINSURANCE lack of certainty labour intensive disclosure influence on underwriting lack of control Good Practices In Transacting Facultative Reinsurance Maintain a cordial working relationship with reinsurers. Involve reinsurers as early as possible on risks that will require Fac support( on complex risks invite quotes from reinsurers.) Utilize the reinsurance technical support – engineers, agronomists, underwriters Keep proper record of all facultative transactions Good Practices In Transacting Facultative Reinsurance Only confirm cover to client when reinsurance arrangements are complete. Hold cover instructions to be sent and valid for 14days( market practice) Confirm telephonic placements (e.g. through email) Prepare slip and premium bordereau expeditiously.(24 hours) and get them duly signed by reinsurers. GLOBAL Market overview An interesting trend in the facultative market is the way independent facultative brokers have been able to compete very effectively on a global basis with much bigger rivals. Independent yet well established brokers have been able to offer speed of delivery, agility and regional expertise, which are all key attributes in the facultative market, particularly at times when customers are GLOBAL Market overview The most striking observation about the facultative reinsurance landscape has to be the emergence of two new hubs: Singapore and Dubai through the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). These two markets, which have focused initially on capturing business from their own regions, have begun to compete with the London market in the facultative arena. GLOBAL Market overview London still offer a better all-round service and expertise especially on wordings and claims issues but of late Dubai has attracted some major players, which also have a presence in the Lloyd’s and the London markets. There is a growing trend towards globalization of facultative risk placement It is mainly driven by tax considerations and operating costs as well as the flexibility of regulations at the DIFC as compared to its European counterparts. African case In Nigeria and Morocco organizations seeking to insure large risks on a facultative reinsurance basis must place a significant amount with the local insurance market—70 percent in Nigeria’s case. Multinational corporations in those countries, such as those involved in the oil business, have argued that they would rather seek rated international capacity. Global Developments Facultative Reinsurance Advent of online reinsurance trading – Ereinsure and Inreon (Swiss & Munich Re) Upsurge in non proportional placements/ Layering arrangements. ‘Rent a captive arrangements’ Multi-line reinsurance Non Standard Risk modeling TREATY REINSURANCE Types Of Treaties and Their Uses TREATY REINSURANCE PROPORTIONAL QUOTA SHARE SURPLUS SHARE XOL FACULTATIVE OBLIGATORY PER RISK PER OCCURENCE (PER POLICY) (CATASTROPHE) AGGREGATE EXCESS Types Of Treaties & Their Uses Proportional Reinsurance Reinsures accepts a fixed share of liabilities assumed by a primary insurer under original contract of insurance . Reinsurer accepts the proportionate share of premium and pays a proportionate share of the claims costs. Types Of Treaties & Their Uses Quota Share Treaty It is the simplest of all forms of reinsurance The reinsure agrees to reinsure a fixed proportion of every risk accepted by the ceding company, sharing proportionately in all losses and receiving in return the same proportion of all direct premium, less the agreed reinsurance commission. QUOTA SHARE TREATY $1,000,000 Primary Insurer Retention Ceded to Reinsurer 20% 80% $100,000 20% 80% $0 $100,000 policy $1,000,000 policy $100,000$1,000,000 Policy Policy Limits Primary Insurer Retained Limit (20%) Limit Ceded to Reinsurers (80%) 20,000 80,000 200000 800,000 $10,000 Loss Retained by Primary Insurer Ceded to Reinsurer 2,000 8,000 2,000 8,000 $50,000 Loss Retained by Primary Insurer Ceded to Reinsurer 10,000 40,000 10,000 40,000 Types Of Treaties & Their Uses Needs Met By Quota Share • Ceding company can safely accept larger risks • Reducing the risk when entering new geographical • Areas or lines of business • No adverse selection to reinsurers • Entering or withdrawal from a line of business or • Geographical area - lessens risk as you learn • With 100% quota share you exit • Simplicity In administration & accounting • Provides Surplus Releif Types Of Treaties & Their Uses Other Uses For Quota Share Treaties For classes of business where it is difficult to define a single risk e.g Crop hail insurance For reducing a ceding company exposure under policies covering natural perils For classes of business where the incidence and size losses are uncertain e.g liability business . Types Of Treaties & Their Uses Surplus Treaties • Similar to quota share The most commonly used Arranged in lines Reinsured reinsures that portion of a risk which exceeds its own retention limit. The cedant can adopt varying retention limits depending on risks exposure Types Of Treaties And Their Uses Percentage shared depends on retention The line varies by class of risk, construction, occupancy and protection Capacity is expressed as number of lines subject to a maximum dollar amount The maximum single risk capacity is equal to number of lines plus one Number of lines and cession percentages vary by class of risk Types Of Treaties And Their Uses Operation Of Surplus Treaties Example PRIMARY POLICY LIMIT RISK 1 100,000 RISK 2 500,000 RISK 3 1,000,000 MAXIMUM LINE 100,000 100,000 100,000 RETENTION FROM TABLE OF LIMITS 100,000 100,000 100,000 NUMBER OF LINES CEDED 0 4 5 LIMITS CEDED TO SURPLUS REINSURER 0 400,000 500,000 % OF LOSSES AND PREMIUM RETAINED BY INSURER 100 20 50 % OF LOSSES AND PREMIUMS CEDED TO REINSURER 0 80 50 Types Of Treaties & Their Uses Surplus Cessions By Class Of Risk RISK POLICY LIMIT INSURER’S RETENTION NUMBER OF LINES AMOUNT % REINSURED CEDED AMOUNT OVER TREATY LIMIT A 85,000 20,000 3.25 65,000 76 - B C D E F 40,000 10,000 3.0 30,000 75 - 280,000 40,000 5.0 200,000 71 40,000 27,000 10,000 1.7 17,000 63 25,000 30,000 - - - 240,000 50,000 3.8 190,000 79 - Types Of Treaties And Their Uses Uses Of Surplus Treaties Almost exclusively used to reinsure property and Homeowners policies For liability exposures, few of the insurer’s criteria for Setting retentions are acceptable to the reinsurer Generally,this adverse selection does not occur with property Insurance because the line guide addresses loss severity Potential , not risk desirability Types Of Treaties And Their Uses Needs Met By Surplus Treaties Increase capacity Limit the retained risk on volatile lines of insurance Reduce the risk when entering new geographical areas Or lines of business. Limit the financial effect of large losses Quota Share Vs Surplus Treaty CESSION OBLIGATION CESSION PERCENTAGE QUOTA SHARE SURPLUS SHARE OBLIGATORY FOR INSURER AND REINSURER FIXED AND CERTAIN FOR EVERY RISK UNDER THE TREATY STATED AS A PERCENTAGE SAME SIZE OF RISKS SMALLER VARIABLE FOR EACH RISK UNDER THE TREATY STATED AS A NET RETENTION AMOUNT AND NUMBER OF LINES LARGE ,MORE COMPLEX TYPE OF RISK CASUALTY AND SOME PROPERTY ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION RELATIVELY EASY COMPLEX CESSION LIMIT Challenges of Proportional Treaties Facultative inwards and Co-insurance Capacity abuse Tables of retentions Adherence to treaty clause manipulation of returns Technical accounting issues Cash call and cash call credits accumulation challenges Exgratia Settlements Due to problems of proportional treaties, they have become less popular world over compared to Excess of loss treaties Excess Of Loss Treaties In return of an agreed premium ,the reinsurer accepts to pay losses incurred by the cedant reinsured in excess of the agreed amount subject to an upper limit . • The reinsured decides upon a monetary limit which he is prepared to retain in a given loss situation known as the priority, point or attachment point or deductible Excess Of Loss Treaties Continued • Characteristics Risks are not ceded to an XL • Simple to administer • Pricing of XL treaty/no direct relationship with original rating • Placed in layers Excess Of Loss Treaties Continued Per Risk XL For liability it is called per policy XL Stabilizes insurers loss ratio Per Event XL Catastrophe XL for Property/ per occurrence XL for liability Severity protection 2 risk warranty Hours Clause Advantages Of Excess Of Loss Treaties Cedant gets only required protection Low administration cost The ceding company retains for its own account higher proportion of its gross premium income AGGREGATE EXCESS OF LOSS TREATIES Stop loss protects the insurer against its aggregate annual loss experience on a particular account Under this kind of cover, the limit and retention are expressed as percentage of incurred losses with monetary limit. E.G 120% of incurred losses xs 65% of incurred losses on GNPI subject to a maximum of USD 950,000. Very effective in stabilizing a primary Insurer’s net results XL Treaties: Financial Implications for ceding company Premium outgo in advance or quarterly installments, enables cash flow planning. Many times claims free experience. Catastrophe claims develop over long time, hence reserves need to be estimated correctly to show the true picture in the accounts. Credit risk exists as there is substantial time gap between premium payment and claim recovery. Less cash outgo in comparison to Proportional reinsurance. Stabilizes the reinsurance results and solvency ratio. XL Treaties: Financial Implications for Reinsurers Definite cash inflow in the form of M & D Premiums. However efficient system control required to monitor the inflow. In case claims free experience, 100% profit. When claim arises, the cash outflow is comparatively more. Premium generated through XL acceptances is lesser than Proportional acceptances. Need to maintain enough liquidity for any big claim. Additional provisioning made in the form of IBNR. Challenges of Non-Proportional Treaty Reinsurance New insurance companies do not find this method profitable and advisable as only a strong Balance sheet can provide the capacity of bearing the claims up to certain limit. Reinsurance costs go up due to catastrophe events, which do not directly relate to the claim experience of buyer of such protection. Difficult to assess the exact applicable rate. Use of complex financial models. Takes long time for claim recovery, hence in case of claim, account need to be serviced for many years and documentation is involved Challenges of Non-Proportional Treaties Delays in settlement of MDPs Treaty adjustments Exhaustion of Cover In accurate claim recovery calculations • reinstatement premium Reinsurance Programming Reinsurance Programme Objectives • Aligning to corporate needs (Growth?,Consolidation? Exit?) • Efficiency • Stability • Cost effectiveness • Administrative simplicity • Continuity Reinsurance programming objectives Factors affecting reinsurance decisions Information requirements The programming process Choosing reinsurance counter-parties Role of intermediaries Reinsurance Programming Reinsurance Programming Reinsurance Programming refers to the planning and arrangement of reinsurance facilities for future risks. The Major tenets of reinsurance programming are as below:- Reinsurance Programming Important Considerations • A reinsurance programme is a strategic issue and therefore there is need for liaison with the different functions in the business e.g. get the input of marketing, finance, technical etc. • A good programme should give a good chance for the reinsurer and the cedant to make a profit. • Reinsurance is a cost every dollar of reinsurance paid contains an element of profit for the reinsurer. Reinsurance Programming Important Considerations • A reinsurance programme should be set with long term considerations in mind. Do not be overly motivated by short term issues. • Reinsurance programme cannot correct poor underwriting, general management or poor investment performance. Reinsurance Programming A Good Reinsurance Programme should meet the following criteria:• Provide the company with a large enough capacity to write business and enable it to maximise its retention. • The reinsurance costs should be reasonable • Reinsurers should be financially strong • Other business considerations like continuity, a mutually compatible business philosophy with reinsurance partners and a good relationship with counter parties. • A reinsurance programme should be technically viable, stable and administratively simple. • It should Provide reinsurers as fair a chance of making a profit as the ceding company. Reinsurance Programming Input required For Reinsurance Programming • Company Strategy • Risk and Loss Profiles • Financial Information (Balance Sheet, income statements etc • Financial projections • An understanding of prevailing insurance and reinsurance market conditions. • The investment strategy • Underwriting philosophy of the business • Risk appetite of the company. Reinsurance Programming A good programme should be tailored to a ceding company’s corporate needs without having to adapt underwriting policy to match reinsurance availability. The cheapest reinsurance programme is not neccesarily the best for the business. Reinsurance Programming Steps In Reinsurance Programming Reinsurance Programming Risk Retention Amount a company is willing to put at stake for its own account when underwriting a single risk or group of risks. Loss Retention Maximum amount a company is prepared to pay on any loss affecting a policy, risk or group of risks Reinsurance Programming Factors Affecting Net Retentions • Premium volumes • Portfolio structure • Liquid assets • Market conditions • Regulatory requirements (e.g. solvency requirements and retention requirements) • Estmated premium,profits and investment income • Financial position – Capital + Free reserves(Shareholders funds) • Cost of Reinsurance Reinsurance Programming Fixing Retentions Types Of Retentions Risk Retention Loss retention Reinsurance Programming Fixing Retentions Empirical Rules Measure Empirical Rule Net Retention as % of Shareholder Funds 1% to maximum 5% Loss retention as a percentage of liquid assets 1% to maximum 10% Loss retention as % of liquid assets <20% in the company’s most important class of business Per risk loss Retention 2 – 5% of ENPI (Class) &/or 1 to 3% of shareholder funds Cat Loss Retention 5 – 10% of ENPI (Class) Reinsurance Programming It is important to note that these parameters are not used in isolation but are combined in order to generate a range from which management can decide based on risk appetite. As an example the following information for XYZ Insurance company is available. Using this information decide at what level the company can set its per risk retention based on empirical rules of thumb. Reinsurance Programming Assets (US$) Fixed Assets 900,000 Long Term Investments 200,000 Other Current Assets 700,000 Cash & Cash Equivalents 600,000 Total Assets 2,400,000 Equity & Liabilities Share Capital 1,000,000 Retained Income 500,000 Current Liabilities 500,000 Non Current Liabilities 400,000 Total Equity & Liabilities 2,400,000 Reinsurance Programming Measure Calculation Retention Range Shareholder Funds Min $1,500,000 X 1% Max $1,500,000 X 5% $15,000 – 75,000 Liquid Assets Min 1% X $600,000 Max 10% X 600,000 $6,000 – 60,000 Reinsurance Programming Selecting Retention Levels An Insurance company is faced with the challenge of setting retentions at the following levels. Reinsurance Programming Maximum Risk Retention (Usd millions) A Net Retained Premium Ratio A:B (USD millions) B 1,000 40,000 1:40 2,000 75,000 1:37.5 3,000 100,000 1:33.3 4,000 115,000 1:29 5,000 110,000 1:22 10,000 140,000 1:14 Reinsurance Programming Fixing Retention • In fixing the net retention it is imperative that one determines the optimal level and not necessarily the maximum level. • The example below illustrates the point aptly • The table shows the net retained premium at different maximum sum insured retentions as extrapolated from the company’s risk profile. Reinsurance Programming Net Retained 160000 140000 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 Net Retained Reinsurance Programming As evidenced above with successive increases in retention the retained premium response diminishes. In fact the balance on the retained portfolio deteriorates as the risk retention level increases. Thus in the above example even if the business has a capacity to carry a retention of up to $5,000,000 say, it may peg it at the more optimal level of $3,000,000 and thus maintain a more balanced portfolio in line with its internal benchmarks. Reinsurance Programming Developments In retentions management • Insurance companies often develop retentions further by developing schedules of retentions so that retentions are further optimised. Factors influencing schedule of retentions include location, separation, processes carried out ,class of construction and fire protection structures. Reinsurance Programming Creation Of Automatic Capacity • The operation of the various proportional treaties and their uses have already been expounded on above. • There are however other considerations that a ceding company has to contend with in finalising proportional reinsurance arrangements. These include the commission terms. Commission terms over time are dictated by the long term profitability of the treaty. Reinsurance Programming Protecting The Net Account • The net account needs to be protected on a per loss basis as well as on a per event basis, in certain instances protection on an aggregate basis is also required. • This is done through working excess of loss covers and catastrophe excess of loss covers and stop loss covers respectively. Reinsurance Programming • While the amount of working excess of loss required is often straightforward ceding companies are often faced with the problem of determining the optimal catastrophe cover to buy. • A technical assessment of the extent of cover necessary and the proper rate for the covers requires a wealth of data Reinsurance Programming Catastrophe protection is designed by considering the extent of conflagration hazard to risks in the portfolio. With advances in ICT it is possible to accurately calculate the aggregate net exposure within each conflagration area. For natural catastrophes the problem is more difficult to visualise. Cedants must decide which areas can be considered to be exposed to one event. Reinsurance Programming Additional to Catastrophe cover it has also become imperative in light of the use of PMLs for reinsurance arrangements to ensure that cover can also adequately cover losses due to PML error. In this regard it is common therefore in the layering of excess of loss treaties to incorporate a layer catering for this ahead of the catastrophe layers. In areas not normally prone to catastrophe attacks preparation for this cover can be done by estimating the number of risks that can be affected by one event e.g. catastrophe cover with a value of 10 times the per risk cover. Reinsurance Programming • As part of the reinsurance design process the decision on whether to use an intermediary or not needs to be addressed. An insurance company has an option to approach markets directly or to go via a reinsurance broker. • It is recommended to use reinsurance broker especially where the programme has a fairly wide geographical spread. Reinsurance Programming Good brokers provide the following benefits:– Regular flow of marketing intelligence about markets dealt with. – Track the financial position of markets dealt with. – They are able to handle tough negotiations on behalf of both parties. – However brokers also add a cost to the portfolio and affect its profitability. Reinsurance Programming Programme Finalisation Issues to Bear In Mind • In spite of ensuring technical viability advantage should be taken of market conditions .E.g. in soft market conditions. However where the market terms harden this should also be taken gracefully. Also importantly watch out for new brokers coming with lower than current terms from other markets. This could be due to lack of market knowledge and penetration strategies.This is unstable and defeats the long term objective of treaties. Switching reinsurers compromises goodwill and results in loss of the reserves built up with existing reinsurers. • Terms and structure should be under constant review. Company should collate andanalyse data on their portfolio structure . This allows for data driven and tailor made programme. Reinsurance Programming • A good programme should progressively increased self reliance in the company and progressively increase retention. Even for special classes with time efforts should be made to secure greater freedom. • Communication of the programme. Ensure the whole company especially underwriters are comfortable and understand how to use programme. Especially familiarity with limits, exclusions and conditions. Counter-Party Analysis Willingness To Pay • Degree of difficulty In collecting recoverable From a solvent reinsurer Solvency • Ability to discharge maturing Obligations as they fall due Is settlement prompt and efficient? Disputes increasing? “Willingness to pay” may not be correlated to “ability to pay” Counter Party Analysis Industry Risk Financial flexibility Management and corporate strategy Operating performance Competitive position Liquidity Investments Capitalisation ERM Capital model Counter-Party Analysis Mitigating Credit Risk Spread and diversification Multiple sources of information Cancellation clauses Don’t rely solely on rating agencies Cedants should perform own due diligence Counterparty Analysis Basic Checklist Financial strength Country of origin Government supervision and regulation Currency regulations Ultimate ownership and inter-company relationships Reinsurance arrangements Management Type of business written Agency arrangements Market intelligence Other Factors Affecting Selection Of Securities • Financial Strength • Technical Expertise • Strategic Fit • Accessibility • Reciprocity arrangements • Strategic Alliances Role Of Intermediaries Broker’s role was established under English Law as an agent of the insured with a legal duty to carry out his client’s instruction. Broker however paid by the reinsurer. Utmost Good Faith / Duty of Care imperative in all dealings whether verbal or written Why Use Intermediaries? • The specific nature of insurance terminology and procedures • Frequent changes affecting the position of insurers • The complex character of an insurance contract • Insufficient knowledge of the markets by client • Direct relationships often breakdown – usually at 2nd or 3rd renewal Benefits Of Using Intermediaries • Represents the Reinsured and provides independent advice • Market knowledge and experience • Access to market information, including ‘soft’ information • Protects the relationship between the Reinsured and the reinsurer • Reduces the Reinsured's administrative burden – ‘Outsourcing Outwards’ Intermediary Services • Price – negotiate best terms available • Safe Security – monitor the quality & ratings of insurers and reinsurers worldwide • Placing Service – Negotiate, Place, Cover Note, Policy Wording and other documents • Claims Service – Negotiate, Collect funds, Pay to client • Technical Consulting Services – –insurance strategy –new products –market developments END OF PRESENTATION