Question

Difficulty: MediumMethods of Handling Risk

A mid-sized manufacturing plant is reviewing its annual corporate insurance program to better manage cash flow and exposures. Which of the following implemented actions correctly illustrate the risk handling method of Risk Retention? (Select all that apply)

  1. Electing a $50,000 per-occurrence deductible on the commercial property policyAnswer
  2. Setting aside internal corporate funds to self-insure against minor worker injuriesAnswer
  3. C
    Requiring all machine operators to wear steel-toed boots and safety goggles
  4. D
    Canceling the production of a highly profitable but defect-prone product line

Answer

The actions that illustrate risk retention are electing a $50,000 per-occurrence deductible and setting aside internal funds to self-insure against minor injuries.
Risk retention involves assuming the financial consequences of a loss. A deductible requires the policyholder to pay a portion of the loss out of pocket, representing partial retention. Creating a self-funded reserve account to pay for losses internally is a direct form of active risk retention.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prompt to determine the core concept being tested.
The question asks to identify examples of the 'Risk Retention' method from a list of business actions.
Correctly identifying the requested risk handling method (from the STARR acronym) is essential to evaluating each option.
2
Evaluate the option regarding a $50,000 per-occurrence deductible.
A deductible means the company pays out of pocket for the first $50,000 of a loss. This is assuming a portion of the risk, which qualifies as retention.
Deductibles represent retained risk.
3
Evaluate the option regarding setting aside internal corporate funds for self-insurance.
Using internal company funds to pay for losses rather than buying insurance for them is self-insurance, which is a form of active retention.
Self-funding expected losses is the definition of retaining risk.
4
Evaluate the options regarding safety gear and canceling a product line.
Safety gear lowers the chance of severe injury (Reduction). Canceling the product line entirely eliminates the exposure (Avoidance).
Neither of these actions involves the company absorbing the financial impact of a loss (Retention).

Key Concept

Risk Retention occurs when an individual or business assumes financial responsibility for certain losses. Common examples include deductibles, copayments, and self-insurance.
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