Risk based capital and capital allocation in insurance (original) (raw)

Capital Allocation in Insurance: Economic Capital and the Allocation of the Default Option Value

2004

The determination and allocation of economic capital is important for pricing, risk management and related insurer financial decision making. This paper considers the allocation of economic capital to lines of business in insurance. We show how to derive closed form results for the complete markets, arbitrage-free allocation of the insurer default option value, or insolvency exchange option, to lines of business for an insurer balance sheet. We assume that individual lines of business and the surplus ratio are joint log-normal although the method we adopt allows other assump- tions. The allocation of the default option value is required for fair pricing in the multi-line insurer. We discuss and illustrate other methods of capi- tal allocation, including Myers-Read, and give numerical examples for the capital allocation of the default option value based on explicit payoff sb y line.

Enterprise Risk Management, Insurer Pricing, and Capital Allocation

For insurers and reinsurers, economic capital has become central to enterprise risk management and is used in financial decision-making including by-line pricing and capital allocation. The Value-at-Risk (VaR) measure is widely used for determining economic capital. In this paper we use a shareholder and total firm value maximizing model of an insurer incorporating taxes, agency costs, financial distress costs, policyholder preference for financial quality, and by-line price elasticities. We determine optimal value maximizing pricing strategies and capitalizations for an insurer under varying assumptions for a realistic model of a multi-line insurer. We evaluate the performance of VaR-based methods for allocating capital and incorporating the cost of capital into pricing insurance. We find that with imperfectly elastic policyholder demand, capitalization, and pricing are strongly influenced by policyholder sensitivity to price and preferences for financial quality. Incorporating costs of capital using VaR must be carefully implemented if it is to be consistent with value maximizing pricing strategies.

Capital Allocation In Insurance

North American Actuarial Journal, 2006

The determination and allocation of economic capital is important for pricing, risk management, and related insurer financial decision making. This paper considers the allocation of economic capital to lines of business in insurance. We show how to derive closed-form results for the complete markets, arbitrage-free allocation of the insurer default option value, or insolvency exchange option, to lines of business for an insurer balance sheet. We assume that individual lines of business and the surplus ratio are joint log-normal although the method we adopt allows other assumptions. The allocation of the default option value is required for fair pricing in the multiline insurer. We discuss and illustrate other methods of capital allocation, including Myers-Read, and give numerical examples for the capital allocation of the default option value based on explicit payoffs by line.

Solvency, Capital Allocation, and Fair Rate of Return in Insurance

Journal of Risk <html_ent glyph="@amp;" ascii="&"/> Insurance, 2006

In this paper we consider the links between solvency, capital allocation and fair rate of return in insurance. A method to allocate capital in insurance to lines of business is developed based on an economic definition of solvency and the market value of the insurer balance sheet. Solvency, and its financial impact, is determined by the value of the insolvency exchange option. The allocation of capital is determined using a comlete markets arbitrage-free model and, as a result, has desirable properties, such as the allocated capital "adds up" and is consistent with the economic value of the balance sheet assets and liabilities. A single period discrete state model example is used to illustrate the results. The impact of adding lines of business is briefly considered. The model is readily extended to a multi-period setting.

Another look at risk-based capital regime, capital structure, insurer's risk profile and performance: a conceptual paper

2017

This paper evaluates capital structure under risk-based capital regime from the perspective of insurance firms and its performance. It also evaluates the moderating effect of insurer’s risk profile on capital-performance relationship. The authors aim to reveal ambiguities, gaps and omissions in the literature and to sketch avenues for future research. A conceptual framework for capital structure under risk-based capital era and its application is suggested focusing on equity, technical provision and required risk propensity for maximizing profit and wealth for all stakeholders. The research reviews that capital structure of insurers differs from non-insurance firms as such risk-based capital regulation must not only focus on the various types of risk but also recognized these differences. It is shown that insurers’ capital structure contains equity and technical provisions which comprises creditors and accruals, outstanding claims and insurance funds instead of equity and financial ...

Capital and risk in property-liability insurance markets

Journal of Banking & Finance, 1996

This paper investigates the capital and portfolio risk decisions of property-liability insurance firms. A theoretical model based on option pricing theory is developed which predicts a positive relationship between insurer capital and risk, as firms balance these two factors to achieve their desired overall insolvency risk. The implications of the model are then tested empirically using a simultaneous equations methodology. The results support the predictions of the model. They also provide evidence that managerial incentives play a role in determining capital and risk in insurance markets. The findings have significant implications for insurance solvency regulation.

Risk based capital modelling for P&C insurers and financial sensitivity

2005

In this contribution we implement a simulation model based on an Internal Risk Model approach, aimed to assess the default risk for Property & Casualty insurers over a short-term time horizon. The proposed framework includes a stochastic model for the financial market and dynamic portfolio strategies. Further, we analyse some risk-based capital requirements by means of risk measures such as VaR and the ruin probability, focusing in particular on the impact of different portfolio strategies, time horizons and levels of confidence. The paper aims to contribute to the current debate concerning the development of a general framework for solvency assessment, including the new EU capital requirements to be defined in the Solvency II phase.

The Capital Structure of Insurers: Theory and Evidence

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

This paper develops and tests a theory of insurers' choice of the mix of equity and liabilities. The role of equity in insurance markets (and in our model) is to back insurers' promises to pay claims when there is aggregate uncertainty, or dependence among risks. Depending on the nature of this aggregate uncertainty, the equity held by rms in a competitive insurance market may increase with rising uncertainty, or it may initially increase then decrease. The ratio of equity to revenue unambiguously increases with uncertainty. We test the model, as well as implications of recent models of insurance market dynamics, on a cross-section of U.S. property-liability insurers.

A risk management approach to capital allocation

The European insurance sector will soon be faced with the application of Solvency 2 regulation norms. It will create a real change in risk management practices. The ORSA approach of the second pillar makes the capital allocation an important exercise for all insurers and specially for groups. Considering multi-branches firms, capital allocation has to be based on a multivariate risk modeling. Several allocation methods are present in the literature and insurers practices. In this paper, we present a new risk allocation method, we study its coherence using an axiomatic approach, and we try to define what the best allocation choice for an insurance group is.

Risk-Based Capital and Firm Risk Taking in Property-Liability Insurance

The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance Issues and Practice, 2013

This research investigates the relationship between capital and risk in property-liability insurers from 1993 to 2007. Three-stage least squares estimation is used to investigate the relationship between capital and two types of risk: underwriting and asset risk. Overall the results suggest that risk and capital are positively related, so that capital increases are associated with increases in investment and underwriting risk. This positive relationship was not consistently significant in 1993, prior to the implementation of risk-based capital (RBC) requirements. Both under-capitalised insurers and marginally adequately capitalised insurers adjusted their capital and risk towards firm targets at a higher speed than wellcapitalised insurers in the post-RBC period. But underwriting and asset risk also increased for less well-capitalised insurers.