Single parent captives are wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent company. As such, the lines of insurance and the structure of the program can be readily customized to meet individual company or corporate-wide needs. It can also insure related or unrelated (third party) risk at the discretion of management. Typically, at least $1.0 million of premium is required to achieve the desired cost benefit.
Multiple parent captives are jointly owned by a group of companies or persons in the same industry. They are also known as group, homogeneous, or joint venture captives. Group coverage allows for customizing for your specific needs. It consists mainly of workers compensation, auto liability & damage, and general liability. Typically $500,000 of premium is required to make your participation financially attractive.
For companies of similar size but from varying industries, heterogeneous captives provide them an opportunity to pool their resources and form a joint venture captive. Also known as an association captive. Participants in the heterogeneous captive share risks at a predetermined layer. Typically $500,000 of premium is required to achieve the desired cost benefit.
For companies within the same industry not large enough to take advantage of forming their own captives, a rent-a-captive provides them an opportunity of obtaining similar benefits as owning a captive. There is generally no sharing of risk among the participants. The owner of the rent-a-captive charges the participants a fee. Over time, if the captive proves successful, the underwriting profits plus investment income may be returned to the participants. Rent-a-captives have higher fixed costs and minimal entry barrier expenses (legal, licensing). Typically as little as $250,000 of premium is required to achieve the desired cost benefit.
Individual cells in a segregated cell captive enjoy legal insulation of assets and liabilities. Legislation has been approved in all major domiciles. Cell segregation varies by demographics, risk profile, and lines of coverage.
