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Risk-sharing benefits and the capital structure of insurance companies

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  • Cynthia Van Hulle
  • Hans Degryse
  • Kristien Smedts

Abstract

Providing risk-sharing benefits to risk-averse policy holders is a primary function of insurance companies. We model that policy holders are paying a fee over the present value of indemnifications (i.e., technical provisions) to enjoy these risksharing benefits. This fee implies that a capital structure largely consisting of technical provisions is optimal for insurance firms, making the traditional Modigliani-Miller logic inappropriate for them. To support the issuance of technical provisions with socially desirable properties, insurance firms hold a surplus to absorb losses. We show that the Modigliani-Miller logic applies to the composition of this loss-absorption capacity. This explains why insurance companies may use, next to equity and technical provisions, financial debt in supporting their activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Cynthia Van Hulle & Hans Degryse & Kristien Smedts, 2017. "Risk-sharing benefits and the capital structure of insurance companies," Working Papers Department of Accountancy, Finance and Insurance (AFI), Leuven 571404, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Department of Accountancy, Finance and Insurance (AFI), Leuven.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:afiper:571404
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    JEL classification:

    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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