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You are here: Home / Treaty Tips

Treaty Tips

Last updated 10/28/2016

Treaty Tips are brief articles that provide practical advice on drafting reinsurance agreements. The tips often track recent litigation and arbitration decisions.

When is Reinsurance Not Reinsurance?SP new

Summary: A discussion of circumstances in which what is termed reinsurance is insurance instead. (August 2016)

The Mutual Benefits of Clear Reinsurance Limits

Summary: A practical discussion of the importance of clarity in the drafting of reinsurance agreements. (January 2015)

Creativity in Reinsurance Agreements

Summary: The reinsurance agreements in some recent catastrophe bonds have contained innovative terms which may be very adventageous for cedents in traditional reinsurance agreements. This Treaty Tip discusses such terms. (July 2013)

Prepared to Honorably Engage?

Summary: The significance of the “honorable engagement clause” in reinsurance agreements.

Avoiding Gaps in Reinsurance Cover

Summary: There may be gaps in reinsurance coverage that a “follow the fortunes” provision will not close.

Addressing Non-Payment Contingencies

Summary: The failure to specify an interest rate to be paid due to late payments under a reinsurance agreement could prove to be very costly.

Know Your Arbitration Clause

Summary: If an arbitration agreement does not clearly delineate the process for the selection of an umpire, there may be unforseen consequences.

Don’t Leave it to a Court to Interpret the Parties’ “Deems”

Summary: The use of the term “or so deemed” may make a reinsurance agreement ambiguous and lead to unintended interpretation by a court.

Shortcut Drafting Can Mean Good Business for Expert Witnesses

Summary: The use of shorthand terms in contracts can insert ambiguity into the agreement if not appropriately defined.

“Follow the Fortunes” obligation generally not implied into reinsurance contracts …

Summary: A follow-the-fortunes clause, if desired, should be expressly provided for in a contract; some courts have been unwilling to imply the clause into a reinsurance agreement based solely on industry custom and practice.

Keeping An Eye On “Losses” …

Summary: To avoid unexpected consequences, careful consideration of treaty definitions should be given, particularly as the arrangement changes over time. Consider for example, whether the phrase “losses incurred” is broad enough to encompass a start-up fee.

Every Word Counts

Summary: Superfluous words in contracts can lead to unintended consequnces. In one reported case, a court interpreted the phrase “outstanding premium installments due for the Contract Year” to permit a reinsurer to offset against a loss indemnity payment an amount equal to premiums scheduled to be paid.

 

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