The action of a reinsurer of reinsuring another reinsurer for its liability assumed under one or more reinsurance contracts with primary insurance companies or with other reinsurers. The reinsurer seeking protection may purchase a reinsurance contract or contracts that will indemnify it within certain parameters for certain described losses it may incur under that reinsurance contract or contracts. This action is described as transferring the risk or a part of the risk. The reinsurer seeking protection (the buyer) is called the retrocedent and the reinsurer providing the protection (the seller) is called the retrocessionaire.
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UK: to cede a risk assumed under a reinsurance contract.