This paper seeks to define and explain financial reinsurance, a type of reinsurance growing rapidly in the general insurance market. It provides criteria for underwriters and actuaries to understand the degree of risk transfer involved and the limitations on that risk transfer. It seeks to set out criteria, applicable to both insurer and reinsurer, for estimating reserves where financial reinsurance covers are involved and for compliance with supervisory requirements. Several examples are given of typical financial reinsurance contracts currently in use.
