Post on 06-Jan-2018
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Are Florida’s Private Residential Property Insurers Solvent?
Sharon M. Romano, CPCU, AIAF, ARC, CCPVice PresidentDemotech, Inc.February 24, 2009Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney WorldOrlando, FL
Incorporated in 1985, Demotech, Inc. is a financial analysis and actuarial services firm that provides Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs) to the P&C and Title insurance industry.
Demotech was the first company to have its rating process formally reviewed and accepted by:◦ Fannie Mae (1989)◦ Freddie Mac (1990)◦ HUD (1994 & 2005)
1996 ◦ Worked with Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (then DOI) to develop
FSRs for Florida “take out” insurers to depopulate the residual market. 2005
◦ Accepted by HUD for rating Professional Liability insurers of long term care facilities.
Quality and Liquidity of Invested Assets
Adequacy of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
Quality of Reinsurance
Adequacy of Rate Levels
Ability to Serve Niche(s)
Biographical information on principals and key employees
Summaries of the duties of key personnel Business plan Pro forma financial statements Catastrophe modeling analysis Underwriting guidelines Initial rate, rule and form filings Claims department procedures and practices
Investment guidelines Management and administrative agreements Reinsurance information Marketing and sales materials Producer contracts Any other information necessary to familiarize
Demotech with the company and its operations
Magnitude of surplus Broad array of insurance products Diversified geographical exposure Well-known brand names Access to capital
However, in practice, size and diversification may have limited impact on the risk of insolvency.
Lack of focus on marketing, underwriting and claims practices
Pricing decisions Emphasis on earning projections Emphasis on market share Inadequate loss reserves in order to meet earning
projections (at least on paper) Entrance into new markets/product lines Inefficient Information Technology systems
We have been part of the solution to the property insurance situation since 1996
Demotech’s track record on long-term solvency – Florida and countrywide – is enviable
We hope to be a part of the solution for years to come