Laura A. Maxwell

Audit Support & Risk Transfer

Pinnacle provides audit support for captive insurers to a major accounting/audit firm. The audit support typically includes a review of the actuarial report and supporting documents to determine if the actuarial report adheres to professional standards and provides a reasonable estimate of held reserves. As part of this support we interact with the actuaries who developed the report in order to answer any relevant questions. Another frequent element of audit support engagements is risk transfer analysis. Pinnacle has developed a state-of-the-art approach to risk transfer modeling; our publications and presentations at industry trade shows have been well received. Ultimately, Pinnacle produces a report with relevant comments and our conclusions that provide the necessary documentation for the auditing firm.

Florida Department of Financial Services

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DOFS) oversees and administers the runoff of domestic Florida insurance companies in rehabilitation. Typically, when a company's financial condition is perilous, the DOFS obtains court orders to oversee the company’s administration and manage the orderly adjudication of all unpaid claims liabilities.

Measuring the extent of those claims liabilities involves uncertainty as to the number and severity of those claims. Further complicating the issue relates to the attitudes of claimants and their attorneys as regards to settlement of such claims knowing the company itself is under regulatory supervision. 

We assisted the DOFS in a formal way with the runoff of three nonstandard auto writers, all part of a company group. The nature of the exposure was such that the unpaid claims were dominated by bodily injury and property damage liability claims. Our modeling of the anticipated future settlements considered input from company claims representatives, the DOFS itself and the company’s auditors.

At the outset of the assignment, the company’s surplus was impaired significantly. During the process, the DOFS was able to achieve significant concessions on the part of claimants given the uncertain financial condition of the carriers involved. The outcome was when the last claim was paid, the company shell that remained had a positive surplus balance. 

Formation

In an effort to attract and retain quality physicians, a large integrated healthcare system operating in the Midwest decided to create a physician’s professional liability insurance (PPLI) alternative to the commercial markets. After a comprehensive feasibility analysis, an offshore captive insurance company (CIC) was capitalized and formed. Pinnacle actuaries were engaged to assist in the feasibility analysis and implementation of this strategy. Pinnacle’s involvement began by assisting the captive manager to develop appropriate assumptions that were incorporated into the CIC’s proposed business plan and filed with regulators. Initially, Pinnacle performed a comprehensive analysis of the current PPLI market to develop base rates, rating factors and underwriting guidelines. On an annual basis, Pinnacle re-evaluates the base rates and rating factors and recommends adjustments to reflect current trends in the market as well as credible indications borne out of the CIC’s experience. In addition to maintaining adequate rates for the program, Pinnacle has also been retained to perform the annual analysis of unpaid loss and expense reserves. The CIC’s annual reserve analysis includes a review of policies written, premium collected and claims incurred by the CIC at the close of each fiscal reporting period. Management relies on Pinnacle’s analyses to ensure the financial health of this strategic venture.