What is Alternative Risk Transfer?
Alternative Risk Transfer
Risk-financing vehicles used in ART can take on several different forms, with varying degrees of risk. As a strategic enterprise risk management process, ART can blend traditional insurance and reinsurance with forms of self-funding. Logically, the plans with the least risk, complexity and expense generally provide the least coverage. The more risk retained, the greater the benefits. Complexity and administrative expenses can grow as well. Common ART strategies include:
1.) Loss-sensitive insurance plans, in which your premiums are based on your losses.
2.) Risk-purchasing groups of individuals purchasing liability insurance
3.) Self-insured retention plans
4.) Protected cell captives, which allow you to rent a captive while ensuring complete separation of assets, capital and surplus between you and other participants
5.) Self-insured groups and pools
6.) Captives, which are owned and controlled by their insured parties
7.) Group captives, which are owned and controlled by multiple insureds. Often firms of a similar size pool risks in an industry captive with customized insurance plans
8.) Agency captives, which are typically structured like rent-a-captives
9.) Risk Retention Groups, which are insurance companies domiciled and regulated by a single state
Alternative Risk Transfer, often referred to as ART, means using techniques other than traditional insurance and reinsurance to provide your business with coverage. Alternative risk transfer is typically available to companies with low risk profiles and a dedication to maintaining safe operations, because the insured party assumes a portion of its own risk in exchange for lower premiums or a reduction in net cost of insurance. In many cases, ART gives capital market investors a more direct role in providing protection. Characteristics unique to ART often include:
• Multi-year, multi-line coverage
• Coverage tailored to a special need of an insured
• Coverage not generally available in the marketplace
• Insured retains some risk
