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Loss reserving behaviour in insurance markets: Evidence from Mauritius
Author(s) -
Alhassan Abdul Latif
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
managerial and decision economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1099-1468
pISSN - 0143-6570
DOI - 10.1002/mde.2963
Subject(s) - underwriting , reinsurance , earnings , sample (material) , economics , business , actuarial science , monetary economics , finance , chemistry , chromatography
This study examines determinants of loss reserves among a sample of 14 general insurance companies in Mauritius from 2008 to 2015. The paper documents evidence that on average, technical reserves account for 45.41% of total assets, made of 19.79% in unearned premiums and 25.62% in outstanding claims. Using panel regression techniques, the findings suggest that general insurers manipulate their earnings through reserve provisions to smooth income and tax considerations. In addition, underwriting risk and reinsurance increases technical reserves, whereas market concentration induces high provisioning for outstanding claims. Policy recommendations for industry regulations are discussed.