Introduction
Treaty Reinsurance is a fundamental concept in the reinsurance sector, widely asked in exams like LIC AAO, NIACL AO, UIIC AO, and insurance-related banking exams such as IBPS PO. Understanding treaty reinsurance helps candidates grasp how insurers manage risk by ceding portions of their portfolio to reinsurers under pre-agreed terms, ensuring financial stability and capacity enhancement.
Pattern: Treaty Reinsurance
Pattern
Treaty Reinsurance refers to a reinsurance agreement where the ceding insurer automatically transfers a defined portion of risks to the reinsurer under a standing contract covering a whole class or portfolio of policies.
Key Concept:
Treaty Reinsurance is a pre-negotiated contract between the insurer (ceding company) and the reinsurer, where all risks within a specified category are ceded automatically without individual underwriting approval.
Important Points:
- Automatic Coverage = All risks falling under the treaty terms are ceded without separate approval.
- Portfolio Basis = The treaty covers a whole class or portfolio of insurance policies.
- Types of Treaty = Proportional (quota share, surplus) and Non-proportional (excess of loss) treaties.
Related Topics:
- Facultative Reinsurance
- Proportional vs Non-Proportional Reinsurance
- Role of GIC Re in India
Step-by-Step Example
Question
Which of the following best describes treaty reinsurance?
Options:
- A. Reinsurance of individual risks approved separately by the reinsurer
- B. Automatic acceptance of all risks within a defined portfolio under a standing agreement
- C. Reinsurance that covers only catastrophic losses
- D. Reinsurance arranged only for life insurance policies
Solution
Step 1: Understand the definition of treaty reinsurance
Treaty reinsurance involves a standing contract where the reinsurer agrees to accept all risks of a particular class automatically.Step 2: Analyze each option
- Option A describes facultative reinsurance, not treaty.
- Option B correctly states automatic acceptance of all risks within a portfolio under a standing agreement.
- Option C refers to a type of non-proportional reinsurance but is not a definition of treaty reinsurance.
- Option D is incorrect as treaty reinsurance applies to various insurance types, not only life insurance.
Step 3: Select the correct option
Option B matches the core concept of treaty reinsurance.Final Answer:
Automatic acceptance of all risks within a defined portfolio under a standing agreement → Option BQuick Check:
Treaty reinsurance is characterized by automatic coverage of a portfolio, distinguishing it from facultative reinsurance which is risk-by-risk.
Quick Variations
Treaty reinsurance questions may appear as:
- Differences between treaty and facultative reinsurance.
- Types of treaty reinsurance (proportional vs non-proportional).
- Role of treaty reinsurance in risk management and capacity building.
Trick to Always Use
- Remember: "Treaty = Total Portfolio, Automatic" and "Facultative = Individual Risk, Approval Needed".
- Mnemonic: T-A for Treaty = Transfer Automatically.
Summary
Summary
- Treaty reinsurance is a standing agreement covering all risks in a portfolio automatically.
- It differs from facultative reinsurance which is on a case-by-case basis.
- Two main types: proportional (sharing premiums and losses) and non-proportional (covering losses above a threshold).
Remember:
Treaty means automatic acceptance of a portfolio of risks under a pre-agreed contract.
