Insurance agents around the world have traditionally relied on commission-based compensation for their risk management services. While this model can be profitable, it is not without its drawbacks. One significant disadvantage is that agents do not typically retain underwriting profits generated from their book of business. However, by creating a captive insurance structure, agents and insurance producers can retain underwriting profits, maximizing value and growth.
A captive insurer is an insurance company that is owned by a parent company or group of companies to insure the risks of its owners. Captive insurers have been used by large corporations for decades as a way to self-insure and manage difficult risks. However, in recent years, more and more insurance agents are creating captives to assist their clients with specific coverage needs, while retaining underwriting profits. The are commonly referred to as Agency Captives.
When an insurance agent creates a captive, they essentially create their own insurance company. The agent can then underwrite policies and collect premiums from their clients, just like traditional insurance companies would. The difference is that the agent is now retaining the underwriting profits generated from those policies. Some of these policies can be structured as an excess of loss coverage or even deductible buy-back. One of the main advantages of a captive insurance structure is that it allows agents to have more control over the underwriting process. In a traditional insurance model, the agent may not have much say in the underwriting decisions made by the insurance company. However, with a captive, the agent can make those decisions themselves, which can lead to better outcomes for their clients and potentially higher profits for the agent.
Another advantage of a captive insurance structure is that it can provide agents with more stable revenue. In a commission-based model, an agent's income can fluctuate depending on the performance of the insurance company they are working with. However, with a captive, the agent is retaining underwriting profits, which can provide a more predictable revenue stream.
Of course, there are some drawbacks to creating a captive insurance structure. Captives require significant upfront capital to establish and maintain. They also require ongoing administrative costs, such as legal fees and accounting expenses. Additionally, there is regulatory compliance to consider, as captives are subject to state and federal insurance regulations, depending on the risks assumed.
Despite these challenges, many insurance agents are finding that a captive insurance structure can be a worthwhile investment. By retaining underwriting profits, agents can potentially increase their revenue, have more control over the underwriting process, and assist clients with coverages that cannot be found in the commercial market. As the insurance industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more agents turn to captives as a way to stay competitive and retain additional profits.
If you would like to more information about agency captive structures and how they are operated, contact me today at r.gely@iicgpr.com or send me a message through LinkedIn.
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