Texas General Lines — Property and CasualtyGeneral InsuranceEasy

An insurance company is evaluating its financial performance over the past year. They report total incurred losses of $75 million and earned premiums of $125 million. What is the company's loss ratio for the year?

  1. A0.40
  2. B0.33
  3. C0.60
  4. D1.67
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. 0.60

The loss ratio is calculated by dividing incurred losses by earned premiums. In this case, $75 million (incurred losses) / $125 million (earned premiums) = 0.60.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Incorrect calculation; this would result from (($125M - $75M) / $125M).
  • B. Incorrect calculation; this would result from ($75M / ($75M + $125M)).
  • D. Incorrect calculation; this would result from ($125M / $75M).

Loss Ratio

A profitability ratio that compares an insurer's total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to its total earned premiums.

  • Formula: (Incurred Losses + Loss Adjustment Expenses) / Earned Premiums.
  • Indicates underwriting profitability.
  • A lower ratio is generally more favorable for the insurer.

Memory trick: Ratios reveal if the insurance ship is sinking or sailing.

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