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The Distributions of Policy Reserves Considering the Policy‐Year Structures of Surrender Rates and Expense Ratios

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  • Chenghsien Tsai
  • Weiyu Kuo
  • Derek Mi‐Hsiu Chiang

Abstract

In this article, we examine how the policy‐year structures of expense ratios and surrender rates affect the distributions of policy reserves. Our results show that a convex expense ratio curve, though reduces the mean and the uncertainty of reserves, could make the beneficial impact of surrenders on insurers become detrimental. Our results also show that the convexity of the surrender rate curve is favorable to insurers while the volatilities of surrender rates are unfavorable. We further find that neglecting the policy‐year structures of surrender rates and expense ratios may result in overestimation of the mean and the uncertainty of reserves.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenghsien Tsai & Weiyu Kuo & Derek Mi‐Hsiu Chiang, 2009. "The Distributions of Policy Reserves Considering the Policy‐Year Structures of Surrender Rates and Expense Ratios," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 76(4), pages 909-931, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jrinsu:v:76:y:2009:i:4:p:909-931
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6975.2009.01324.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Eling & Michael Kochanski, 2013. "Research on lapse in life insurance: what has been done and what needs to be done?," Journal of Risk Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(4), pages 392-413, August.
    2. Huang, Hsiao-Tzu & Hwang, Yawen & Chan, Linus Fang-Shu & Tsai, Chenghsien Jason, 2024. "Value-enhancing modeling of surrenders and lapses," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 48-63.

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