Global insurance centre focusing on reinsurance and insurance services for large companies. It accommodates captive insurance companies. ACE and XL, set up to selfinsure the asbestosis risk of US companies, and other Bermudan companies, have become independent and grown through acquisition into large diversified global insurance and reinsurcompanies. Attractions of Bermuda: the absence of corporate or profits taxation; a flexible legal regulatory regime. ance
Insurance Encyclopedia
Bermuda Agreement
An agreement concluded in 1946 between the U.K. and the U.S. designed to regulate future international air traffic. Most Governments accept its principles and follow it inter-alia by limiting traffic rights on international routes to one or two carriers.
Berne Union
The union, through its 51 members from 42 countries and locations, works for international acceptance of sound principles of export credit insurance and foreign investment insurance. The union is a vital forum for the exchange of information, experience and expertise between members. Visit www.berneunion.org.uk.
Berth
Is the place beside a pier, quay or wharf where a vessel can be loaded or discharged.
Berth Liner Service
Berth Liner Service is a regular scheduled steamship line with regular published schedules (port of call) from and to defined trade areas.
Berth or Liner Terms
Is an expression covering assessment of ocean freight rates generally implying that loading and discharging expenses will be for ship owner’s account, and usually apply from the end of ship’s tackle in port of loading to the end of ship’s tackle in port of discharge.
Best advice rule
Under FSMA anyone selling pensions, life insurance or investments must give clients and prospective clients ‘best advice. The financial adviser needs to be aware of the client’s circumstances and show, where possible, that the recommendations are based on an unbiased evaluation.
Best’s Insurance Ratings
A.M. Best is an independent third-party evaluation firm that rates insurance companies on a variety of financial measures allowing the public to make comparisons among companies. Insurance companies considered secure in their financial strength and ability to pay claims are rated A++, or A+ (superior), A, A- (excellent) or B++, B+ (good). Firms considered vulnerable are rated B to D. Ratings of “E” indicates that the company is in regulatory suspension, “F” that the firm is in liquidation, and “S” that rating of the firm has been suspended. In addition to rating firms for their financial ability tomeet policy-holder obligations, Best’s also rates insurance companies’ ability to meet debt obligations.
Best’s Rating
Rating system (developed by rating agency A.M. Best Co.) that evaluates those factors that affect the overall performance of insurance companies. Provides a weighted measure of a company’s financial strength, performance level, competitive position and ability to meets its obligations to policyholders. A qualitative and quantitative assessment.
Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR)
An important financial benchmark from A.M. Best that is intended to provide an indication as to whether a company has adequate capital to address its insurance and other risk exposures.