Is self-insurance a risk retention?

Asked by: Alaina Lemke  |  Last update: February 16, 2025
Score: 5/5 (29 votes)

Self-insurance is a risk retention mechanism in which, rather than contractually transferring risk to a third party as it would in a traditional commercial insurance arrangement, a company sets aside money to fund future losses.

What are examples of risk retention in insurance?

Examples include:
  • When a business owner determines the cost associated with loss coverage is less than that of paying for partial or full insurance protection. ...
  • When a given risk is uninsurable, is excluded from insurance coverage, or if losses fall below insurance policy deductibles.

What type of risk is self-insurance?

Self-insurance is a strategy for mitigating against the possibility of a future loss by putting aside a set portion of your own money, rather than buying insurance and having an insurance company reimburse you for what you've spent.

What is the difference between self-insurance and retention?

The answer to the question what's the difference between a deductible and a self insured retention is that deductibles reduce the amount of insurance available whereas a self insured retention is applied and the limit of insurance is fully available above that amount.

Is self-insurance a risk transfer?

Key Takeaways:

Self-insurance is a form of alternative risk transfer when an entity chooses to fund their own losses rather than pay insurance premiums to a third party.

Panel Discussion - Self-Insurance and Risk Retention: Why, How and When?

20 related questions found

Are risk retention groups a form of self-insurance?

There are numerous types of captive insurance, each with its own attributes. One of the self-insurance formats, called risk retention groups (RRGs), is unique in that it is often – yet not always – a captive.

Is self-insurance part of risk assumption?

Risk Assumption is a risk management tool where a company chooses to make itself responsible for potential losses, such as not obtaining insurance due to minimal risk of loss or opting for self-insurance by setting aside funds for future losses.

What are the disadvantages of self-insurance?

When an organization self-insures, they are taking on the financial risk of potential loss themselves, which can be significant in the event of a catastrophic event or large claim. Large claims can be financially devastating if the funds set aside for self-insurance are insufficient.

Is self-insurance a form of planned retention?

Self-insurance is a form of planned retention, where an organization or individual takes responsibility for managing its own risk instead of purchasing insurance.

What is the self-insured retention limit?

A self-insured retention policy is a specific dollar amount that the insured party is responsible for paying out in claims up to that limit. After the insured reaches the upper limit of the SIR, the insurance company will start to handle and pay claims.

Why is self-insurance not feasible?

Self-insurance works less well for individuals who have dependents, significant debts, and/or fewer assets. Why? Dependents may need financial support after one's death – especially if they are young, need individualized care, or don't have significant income of their own.

What are the three 3 main types of risk associated with insurance?

Most pure risks can be divided into three categories: personal risks that affect the income-earning power of the insured person, property risks, and liability risks that cover losses resulting from social interactions.

What is self-insurance also known as?

Many employers are finding that self-insurance (also known as self-funded insurance) is the answer. Put most simply, self-insured employers pay all or some of their employees' health insurance coverage costs directly.

What is not an example of risk retention?

Final answer: Risk retention involves actively dealing with identified risks by self-insuring or proceeding with a business deal despite the risks. Becoming aware of a risk and not taking any action is not an example of risk retention.

What is the 5 risk retention rule?

The 5% risk retention requirement can be satisfied if up to two (B-piece) investors purchase the riskiest 5% (by market value) of the securities offered on a pari passu basis and hold these securities for at least five years.

What are the methods of risk retention?

Methods of risk retention include self-insurance, high deductibles, captive insurance companies, risk retention groups (RRGs), and financial reserves. Retaining risks requires careful evaluation of potential outcomes, probability of risk occurrences, financial stability, and the availability and cost of risk transfer.

What is retention risk in insurance?

Risk Retention may refer to a risk management strategy that involves a party assuming the responsibility for a certain level of risk or losses. This term may also refer to the amount of risk that a party is willing to accept before transferring it to another party through insurance or other forms of risk transfer.

What is the difference between a self-insured retention and deductible?

Self-insured retention requires that you, as the insured, make payments up to the SIR limit first, before your insurer makes any payments towards the claim. In contrast, a deductible policy often requires the insurer to cover your losses immediately, and then collect reimbursement from you afterward.

What is a self-insured retention under an umbrella policy?

In other words, a self-insured retention is an amount that your business must pay before its umbrella policy will begin paying for a covered claim that has a retention. As an example, assume your business has the same $400,000 claim. This time, however, the claim isn't covered by a primary policy.

What is an example of a retention risk?

An individual deciding not to insure for a particular peril at all is an example of risk retention. For instance, deciding not to purchase disability insurance is a form of risk retention. Sharing risk – Sharing risk involves partnering with others to share responsibility for risk activities.

What are the different types of retention in insurance?

The truth is that there are at least three different types of retention in insurance—customer retention, revenue retention, and policy retention—and although there is some overlap among the three, success in one doesn't guarantee success in all the others.

How do you determine retention risk?

The best way to find out is to ask them. You can do this in a number of ways, such as: One-to-ones: Give each person a chance to sit with their manager or department head and talk about the job. With focused questions, you should be able to measure employee engagement.

What is the Dodd Frank Act risk retention?

The final rules apply a 5 % minimum base risk retention requirement to all securitization transactions that are within the scope of Section 15G and prohibit the sponsor from hedging or otherwise transferring its retained interest prior to the applicable sunset date.

What is an example of a risk retention group?

Some examples of common risks covered by RRGs include: Professional liability – errors & omissions insurance, like legal or medical malpractice. Tech E&O – errors & omissions insurance related to technology-related professions or businesses.

What is the 7 year retention rule?

SOX Retention Requirements – 7 Years

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was modified in 2003 to require relevant auditing and review documents to be retained for seven years after the audit or review of the financial statements is concluded.