GLOSSARY

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ACCREDITATION – If a state passes all the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model acts and otherwise passes the periodic examination of an insurance department’s policies, commercial insurers domiciled there will be acceptable security in other States.

ACTUARIAL REPORT – An analysis intended to project ultimate loss costs using probability theory and other methods of statistical analysis.  Used to determine the adequacy of a property and casualty insurer’s statutory loss reserves and a life insurer’s unearned premium (technical) reserves.  May be the basis of rate development.
ACTUARY – An actuary analyzes, evaluates and manages statistical information to determine rates.

ADMITTED INSURANCE COMPANY – A company is admitted when it has been licensed and accepted by the appropriate governmental regulator of a state.  The company will be authorized to sell insurance that domicile.

ADMITTED  REINSURANCE – Reinsurance provided by a reinsurer licensed or authorized in the jurisdiction in question.  A company is “admitted” when it has been licensed and accepted by appropriate insurance governmental authorities of a state or country.

AGENT – Individuals working for an insurer or an independent contractor selling insurance.  Must be licensed in all states where the insurance is written.

AGGREGATE – The greatest amount recoverable under a policy or reinsurance agreement from all losses or a single loss incurred during the life of the contract.

AGGREGATE STOP LOSS – Reinsurance purchased for excess of an aggregate loss limit. Aggregate stop loss protection caps the annual aggregate loss.

ALTERNATIVE RISK TRANSFER (ART) – A method of financing risk outside the traditional commercial insurance market.  A company’s risks are funded by means other than the purchase of insurance through an agent broker from an admitted insurer.  ART forms include surplus lines placement, self-insured trusts, risk retention groups and captives.  The alternative market seeks to avoid costs associated with insurance brokerage and allow a business to finance its own risk.

ARBITRATION CLAUSE – A clause within a reinsurance agreement providing that if the ceding company and the reinsurer fail to agree, then they select neutral arbitrators with the authority to bind both parties to a solution.  Language providing a means of resolving differences between the reinsurer and the reinsured without litigation.

ASSOCIATION – Any legal organization of sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies or associations that has been in continuous existence for at least one year and has the power to vote all of the outstanding voting securities for its captive.

ASSOCIATION CAPTIVE – A captive insurance company established by members of an association to underwrite their own collective risks.  An association captive usually only insurers members of the sponsoring association.

ATTACHMENT POINT – The dollar amount under an excess of loss reinsurance contract at which a ceding (primary) insurer’s retention requirements have been met, and the point at which the reinsurance will respond to a loss on specific or aggregate stop loss basis.

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After experiencing tremendous losses due to a natural disaster uncovered by my commercial carrier, I knew it was time to form a captive and shopped around for a captive manager...we couldn’t be happier that we chose Elevate.

Joe M.

Communication is quick and effective, documents are always organized and available and my questions are always answered efficiently and professionally.

Adam G.

We chose Elevate because of their reputation in our business community, and their services have exceeded expectations. We trust Elevate.

John R.

I have worked with Jerry Messick and the Elevate Captive team since 2012. They have been instrumental in guiding us properly on how to implement and run a captive successfully. The due diligence and proactive service on the part of the Elevate team is unrivaled. Their product knowledge and how to use the instrument to our benefit, while providing sound risk management and compliance principles is another huge differentiating factor for their firm. In addition, the team of experts that Elevate has referred us to in the legal and financial advisory areas has turned out to be top notch. The Captive is only as good as the entire team. Finally, it has to be mentioned that we “just plain like” Jerry and Co.. Friendly, smart and easy to work with. A real pleasure.

John H.