FCAS, MAAA, CSPA Senior Consulting Actuary
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Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Auto Insurance Mar 27, 2018
Data Breach at Equifax Sep 26, 2017
Cyber Risk Continues to Grow Apr 18, 2017
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Ms. Maxwell currently serves the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) as a member of the Casualty Loss Reserve Seminar Planning Committee, E-Forum Committee, Examination Committee, Cyber Risk Task Force, Working Party on On-Demand Insurance and Secretary/Treasurer of the Casualty Actuaries of the Bay Area.
Prior to consulting she was a product manager for a direct auto insurer and held actuarial positions with a state insurance department and national rating bureau. Her background includes personal and commercial lines pricing and reserving.
December 2018 APEX Webinar ASOP Disclosures: A Professionalism Quiz Authored by Laura A. Maxwell.
October 2018 APEX Webinar Status of Cyber Liability Insurance and Methodology Authored by Laura A. Maxwell and Radost Roumenova Wenman.
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Dedicated Fund Review
Pinnacle was asked by a State Insurance Department to review the financial soundness of a State controlled, dedicated fund. The review consisted of establishing the State’s outstanding liabilities and future funding needs. Detailed historic exposure and loss experience were not readily available from the State because the program was administered by individual insurers. Pinnacle designed and conducted an industry data call on behalf of the State. The collected data was then used by Pinnacle in support of their analysis. As the data was still somewhat limited, additional industry data was gathered from other states to supplement Pinnacle’s analysis. Pinnacle then provided the State with a report detailing the determination of the estimated liabilities, the indicated rate changes, and recommendations on data capturing for enhancement on future studies.
Formation
In an effort to attract and retain quality physicians, a large integrated healthcare system operating in the Midwest decided to create a physician’s professional liability insurance (PPLI) alternative to the commercial markets. After a comprehensive feasibility analysis, an offshore captive insurance company (CIC) was capitalized and formed. Pinnacle actuaries were engaged to assist in the feasibility analysis and implementation of this strategy. Pinnacle’s involvement began by assisting the captive manager to develop appropriate assumptions that were incorporated into the CIC’s proposed business plan and filed with regulators. Initially, Pinnacle performed a comprehensive analysis of the current PPLI market to develop base rates, rating factors and underwriting guidelines. On an annual basis, Pinnacle re-evaluates the base rates and rating factors and recommends adjustments to reflect current trends in the market as well as credible indications borne out of the CIC’s experience. In addition to maintaining adequate rates for the program, Pinnacle has also been retained to perform the annual analysis of unpaid loss and expense reserves. The CIC’s annual reserve analysis includes a review of policies written, premium collected and claims incurred by the CIC at the close of each fiscal reporting period. Management relies on Pinnacle’s analyses to ensure the financial health of this strategic venture.
Self Insured Loss Reserve Analysis
Pinnacle was approached by a major, national manufacturer to perform a loss reserve analysis of their retained workers compensation, auto liability, general liability and products liability loss exposures. The previous actuary worked for a large broker which the customer felt presented a conflict of interest. In addition, the actuary used industry benchmarks that the customer felt did not accurately represent their loss development behavior. Pinnacle worked with the customer to better understand their loss exposures, claims handling practices, and corporate risk management philosophy. We worked with the company to gather better internal data and refine the industry benchmarks to better reflect their third party administrator, industry focus and geographic mix. These refinements, and many others, led to a more accurate analysis of the company’s retained loss exposures, a reduced provision for unpaid claims on their balance sheet, and reduced collateral requirements from their fronting carrier.
At Pinnacle, we partner with you to explore whatever path it takes to find the answers you need.
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July 23, 2020 July APEX Webinar - Causes of Recent Adverse Development Register