Customs Union

An agreement between two or more countries in which they arrange to abolish tariffs and other import restrictions on each other’s goods and establish a common tariff for the imports of all other countries.

Cut Off

The termination provision of a reinsurance contract stating that the reinsurer shall not be liable for loss as a result of occurrences taking place after the date of termination.

Cut through endorsement

An endorsement to a reinsurance agreement that requires that, in the event of the cedant’s insolvency, any loss covered under the reinsurance agreement be paid by the reinsurer directly to the insured (or a third party beneficiary). Also called assumption endorsement or assumption of liability endorsement (ALE).

Cut-Off Clause

The termination provision of a reinsurance contract stipulating that the reinsurer shall not be liable for loss as a result of occurrences taking place after the date of termination. The remaining unearned premiums are returned to the ceding company.

Cut-off/run-off cancellation

When a continuous contract is terminated under the cancelling clause, the existing risks under the treaty may run-off or simply become cut-off. Run-off means that the reinsurer’s liability under policies current at the cancellation date continues until each policy expires. Cut-off means that the reinsurer will not be liable for losses occurring on or after termination. The insurer usually returns the unearned premium portfolio unless the treaty is written on an earned premium basis. See CLEAN CUT BASIS.

Cut-Through Clause

The clause provides that in the event of the reinsured’s insolvency any part of a loss covered by reinsurance be paid directly to the original insured by the reinsurer. This is an exception to the legality of privity of contract.
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UK: A reinsurance clause providing that, in the event of insolvency of the cedant, the reinsurer will be liable to the insured for his share of the loss and not to the cedant’s liquidator.