Nicholas Gurgone
Darcie R. Truttmann
Legaré W. Gresham
Arthur R. Randolph II
Robert J. Walling III
Aaron N. Hillebrandt
Gregory W. Fears, Jr.
Ken J. Hawkins
Joseph A. Herbers
Timothy C. Mosler
Laura A. Maxwell
Derek W. Freihaut
Michael K. Chen
Erich A. Brandt
The Pinnacle team was very responsive and helpful on every aspect of the engagement, including several ad hoc information requests made by the auditors.
Pinnacle helps alternative market risk owners, captive managers and service providers determine risk retentions that optimize the balance between the cost of risk transfer and loss volatility.
Pinnacle provides loss reserve analyses and other diagnostics in support of collateral negotiations associated with deductible and/or self-insured retentions.
Pinnacle is experienced developing cost allocation mechanisms by member or department in the most equitable manner using elements such as – exposure, geographic cost differences and actual loss experience.
Management sometimes wishes to reflect the time value of money in funding projections, accruals for unpaid claims liabilities and other valuations. The two most important parameters for doing so are the assumed interest rate and the underlying claim payment pattern. Assessing reasonable values for these parameters is not trivial as the interest rate may need an adjustment for risk while the claim payment pattern may not be readily available.
Pinnacle has extensive experience helping insurers, captives, and self-insurance programs determine appropriate dividend levels and actuarial sound allocation methods.
As a captive manager, you need a trusted actuarial advisor who is not only technically competent but can also communicate in plain language while offering outstanding insight, analysis and service.
We offer a full range of actuarial services specific to the needs of captive managers. From traditional services, such as loss reserve and funding analyses for exposure within deductibles or self-insured retentions to comparing alternate program structures with retention levels to feasibility studies, we have the expertise necessary to help you drive better business decisions.
Pinnacle has expertise in a wide variety of lines of coverage, alternative risk transfer structures, regulatory jurisdictions and industry niches. Our expertise has been developed by our team of experienced consultants who understand the specific needs of captive managers, but also with the local knowledge unique to individual market segments.
As nationally-respected experts in alternative markets, we also offer a full range of actuarial services to a wide variety of self-insureds, including traditional loss reserve analysis for exposure within deductibles or self-insured retentions. We regularly assist clients to comparing alternate program structures, analyze retention levels and developing feasibility study documents. Regulatory authorities in jurisdictions around the world respect our quality work.
We understand the insurance challenges public entities face and we are equipped to help you meet them, regardless of your insurance program and service providers. We’re well versed on the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 10, and understand the impact for state and local governmental entities, their public entity risk pools and other relevant accounting guidance.
Our commitment to captive managers goes beyond the basics to understanding the unique requirements of your specific industry, providing insight to a range of likely outcomes and providing you with the intelligence you need to succeed.
Risk (and Opportunity) Everywhere Captive Review Authored by Robert J. Walling III.
October 2019 APEX An Update to Pinnacle’s Risk Retention Group Benchmarking Study Authored by Erich A. Brandt and Gregory W. Fears, Jr. and Robert J. Walling III.
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Cayman Captive More »
Pinnacle serves many of the largest group captives in the world, many of them domiciled in the Cayman Islands. These reserve analyses are typically produced twice a year and serve multiple purposes. First, they provide a range of reasonable estimates which management uses to determine their best estimate of ultimate losses and unpaid claims liabilities. Second, these reserve estimates can then be allocated to individual members to determine the outstanding liabilities and potential future assessments, if any. Finally, the allocated ultimate losses become the basis for renewal pricing estimates for each member. Pinnacle’s approach to estimating and allocating reserves in group captives is unique in the industry and sets our alternative practice apart with its efficiency and accuracy.
Retention Analysis More »
Pinnacle was asked by a large self-insured regional transportation authority to assess the impact of increasing their self-insured retentions for both workers compensation and automobile liability. We developed a stochastic simulation analysis, based on the program’s historical claims experience and industry benchmarks, that examined not only the increase in expected losses but the program’s additional potential loss variability. Finally, we discussed with the customer the relationship between their current capital position, as well as the current reinsurance market, to ensure the retention they selected for their program was appropriate for them. The authority ultimately increased their retentions, put some of their excess capital to work, and realized substantial savings in their reinsurance costs.
Self Insured Loss Reserve Analysis More »
Pinnacle was approached by a major, national manufacturer to perform a loss reserve analysis of their retained workers compensation, auto liability, general liability and products liability loss exposures. The previous actuary worked for a large broker which the customer felt presented a conflict of interest. In addition, the actuary used industry benchmarks that the customer felt did not accurately represent their loss development behavior. Pinnacle worked with the customer to better understand their loss exposures, claims handling practices, and corporate risk management philosophy. We worked with the company to gather better internal data and refine the industry benchmarks to better reflect their third party administrator, industry focus and geographic mix. These refinements, and many others, led to a more accurate analysis of the company’s retained loss exposures, a reduced provision for unpaid claims on their balance sheet, and reduced collateral requirements from their fronting carrier.
At Pinnacle, we partner with you to explore whatever path it takes to find the answers you need.
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April 16, 2020 April Apex Discussion Series - Cyber Insurance: What’s in Store for Captives Register