Catastrophic loss events in the late 20th century pointed out a grave problem for the insurance industry: there had been massive miscalculations of homeowners' property values. The issue was spotlighted again early in the 21st century when catastrophes slammed the United States. These events illustrated the critical importance of correct valuation. Without it, premiums are inadequate and settlements insufficient to fulfill the promise to replace with like kind and quality. Insuring to Value: Meeting a Critical Need analyzes the need for correct valuation when binding and renewing homeowners insurance policies. It explains how valuation methods were improved after the industry focused on the serious undervaluation problem that was highlighted in the late 20th century. The book then demonstrates how state-of-the-art valuation methods are leading to greater opportunities to strategically manage books of business for property insurer stability and policyholder protection.

This book presents the main valuation approaches that can be used to value financial institutions. By sketching 1) the different business models of banks (both commercial and investment banks) and insurance companies (life, property and casualty and reinsurance); 2) the structure and peculiarities of financial institutions’ reporting and financial statements; and 3) the main features of regulatory capital frameworks for banking and insurance (ie Basel III, Solvency II), the book addresses why such elements make the valuation of financial institutions different from the valuation of non-financial companies. The book then features the valuation models that can be used to determine the value of banks and insurance companies including the Discounted Cash Flow, Dividend Discount Model, and Residual Income Model (with the appropriate estimation techniques for the cost of capital and cash flow in financial industries). The main techniques to perform the relative valuation of financial institutions are then presented: along the traditional multiples (P/E, P/BV, P/TBV, P/NAV), the multiples based on industry-specific value drivers are discussed (for example, P/Pre Provision Profit, P/Deposits, P/Premiums, P/Number of branches). Further valuation tools such as the “Value Maps” or the “Warranted Equity Method” will be explained and discussed. The closing section of the book will briefly focus on the valuation of specific financial companies/vehicles such as closed-end funds, private equity funds, leasing companies, etc.

This book examines the behavior of individuals at risk and insurance industry policy makers involved in selling, buying and regulation.