Captive Basics

One common captive structure is an insurance company owned by a single US corporation (a "single-parent captive"), which insures the risks of its parent and/or brother/sister companies. In some cases, single-parent captives cover risks of third parties as well as related party risk. The US federal income tax treatment of a single-parent captive and its owner depends in part on whose risk the captive insures and on whether the captive is a US company or a non-US company. This article summarizes the basic tax rules applicable to single-parent captives and their owners in various situations. Read More

Group captives are formed when a group of individuals or entities comes together to jointly own a captive insurance company. Sometimes they are sponsored by industry associations for the benefit of their members, hence the alternative name "association captive." Read More

What is a captive feasibility study? A feasibility study is a study undertaken to determine whether a contemplated risk financing program is feasible for a particular organization or group of organizations. A study, or a proposal for a captive feasibility study, should always begin by stating its scope and purpose. Read More

An insurance pundit once observed that "fronting" is the same as "backing." That seemingly oxymoronic comment is not far off the mark in describing the relationship between a captive insurer and a fronting arrangement. Read on to find out more about fronting arrangements and captive insurance. Read More

A micro-captive is a small captive insurance company that may be taxed under Internal Revenue Code § 831(b) and may pay tax on investment income only. What is a micro-captive? Read further to find out! Read More