A key driver of captive formation is the ability to shape claims strategy. Operating a captive enables the use of independent defense counsel, allowing organizations to influence litigation decisions, manage outcomes, and align defense with broader business objectives. Luke Renz, ACI offers a timely perspective on why claims governance is becoming a core captive value driver.
Captive pricing tightly links premiums, reserves, and the parent’s balance sheet—far more directly than in traditional carriers. It must simultaneously satisfy the owner, fronting partners, and regulators, ensuring premiums are defensible and arm’s‑length. The key decision is how much to rely on experience versus exposure rating, often blended, depending on data credibility and portfolio shifts.
For many middle‑market insureds, a group captive is the right on‑ramp: it offers diversification, shared overhead, and a relatively low barrier to entry. Over time, though, scale and loss experience can outgrow that structure. That is when a move to a single‑parent or cell structure starts to make sense. A deep independent evaluation can help guide through this process and provide invaluable insight to make an informed decision.
Last week, I had the opportunity to introduce the world of captive insurance to bright young minds at the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business. Joined by industry experts David Ward, Laura Rodrigo, and Karen Strange, we dove into the realm of captives with two risk management classes and then the Gamma Iota Sigma society.
Tennessee has established itself as a leading captive insurance domicile in the United States, offering a favorable regulatory environment and numerous advantages for businesses looking to form captive insurance companies.
Nate Reznicek was quoted in a Business Insurance article titled "Captive Surpluses Help Fund Risk Strategies". Captive insurance companies are increasingly using their surplus funds to finance a wide range of risk management projects and loss control activities. This trend sees mature captives investing in initiatives like property improvements, vehicle telematics, cyber awareness training, and AI-powered surveillance for loss mitigation.
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