Is Private Insurance the ‘New Kid on the Block’?
For businesses worried about covering themselves for enterprise risks that are unexpected or even unthinkable, Private Insurance can offer some protection, along with a possible investment opportunity.


Private Insurance. Have you heard of it? Chances are this is a new concept to you, but as a business owner in 2021, it is one well worth exploring.
Private Insurance is a marketing term describing an exclusive program that allows a closely held business to purchase insurance policies for specific losses associated with enterprise (business) risk. By offering businesses the opportunity to direct-procure insurance through an already established insurance structure, and not through the traditional insurance avenue, private insurance delivers a transparent turn-key access into the alternative risk transfer space.
What Kinds of Risks Can You Insure?
Enterprise risk is quite a popular subject at the moment. These are the low-probability, but high-severity exposures that are now top of mind as the country still adjusts to the economic side-effects of these unprecedented times. The age of COVID-19 has increased the hazards for such enterprise risk. Businesses across the country are seeking to transfer this traditionally self-retained risk to a third-party insurer.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Private Insurance allows a business to direct-procure enterprise risk coverage for loss of net income due to a variety of unfortunate events — such as loss of key personnel, loss of a key customer, loss of a key supplier, and more.
The options for businesses are to transfer this risk by purchasing insurance from a traditional insurance carrier or to seek insurance through alternative means. The latter is often popular when a company feels alternative insurance has superior risk management systems affording them the capacity to outperform the black hole of traditional insurance.
Moreover, Private Insurance offers even more than an insurance policy; it can become a tremendously valuable investment opportunity.
How Does Private Insurance Work?
As with most insurance transactions, a business purchases insurance from an insurance carrier, and that insurance carrier binds the risk, issues policies back to the business, and then reinsures a portion of that risk to a reinsurance carrier — insurance for insurance. However, in Private Insurance, 100% of the premium earned through the sale of policies gets ceded to the reinsurance carrier. That carrier allows investors, who are designated by the business purchasing the policies an investment opportunity connected to the performance of the reinsurance carrier.
Here is the key: The reinsurance company has individual funds that rise and fall with claims experienced over the course of multiple policy-periods. Any dollars not used to pay claims or underwriting expenses are deposited into these policy-linked accounts to participate in the funding of individual policy-linked claims.
With good claims experience, these accounts have the potential for tremendous growth over time. When the business no longer purchases these policies, the investor has the sole-benefit of the assets that have accumulated in these policy-linked accounts.
The Bottom Line
At a high level, Private Insurance is a robust and proprietary transaction whereby a business direct-procures insurance, the reinsurance carrier distributes this risk among hundreds of insureds throughout the country, and the investors benefit from the underwriting profit of the reinsurance carrier. This structure not only protects you in the present, but it can also secure your future.
In a world full of more uncertainties than ever, one thing is certain: Private Insurance is the way of the future.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Jeffrey M. Verdon, Esq. is the lead asset protection and tax partner at the national full-service law firm of Falcon Rappaport & Berkman. With more than 30 years of experience in designing and implementing integrated estate planning and asset protection structures, Mr. Verdon serves affluent families and successful business owners in solving their most complex and vexing estate tax, income tax, and asset protection goals and objectives. Over the past four years, he has contributed 25 articles to the Kiplinger Building Wealth online platform.
-
These Stocks Dipped in 2025. Do They Have Value?
If you are looking to add new long-term positions to your portfolio, as you should, this is the time to examine stocks that the market shuns.
-
Striking Gold (or Gas): A Financial Pro Unpacks the Nuances of Energy Investing
Investing in the energy industry, particularly oil and gas, involves understanding the facts about how projects generate returns through cash flow and long-term asset building, while also being aware of the risks.
-
Striking Gold (or Gas): A Financial Pro Unpacks the Nuances of Energy Investing
Investing in the energy industry, particularly oil and gas, involves understanding the facts about how projects generate returns through cash flow and long-term asset building, while also being aware of the risks.
-
Escaping the New Golden Handcuffs: A Financial Expert Has a Plan for Today's Executives
Feeling stuck in your job? It could be your complicated compensation package, but it also could be where you live, your family or even how you view yourself.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here's How to Invest Like the Wealthy, Even if You Don't Have Millions
Private market investments, once exclusive to the ultra-wealthy and institutions, have become more accessible to individual investors, thanks to regulatory changes and new investment structures.
-
Four Ways a Massive Emergency Fund Can Hurt You More Than It Helps
Saving too much could mean you're missing opportunities to put your money to work. Redirect some of that money toward paying off debt, building retirement funds, fulfilling a dream or investing in higher-growth options.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: How to Dodge a Retirement Danger You May Not Have Heard About
Timing is everything, and sequence of returns risk can mean the difference between a retirement nest egg that's overflowing … or empty.
-
Caring for Aging Parents: An Expert Guide to Easing the Financial and Emotional Strain
Early conversations, financial planning and understanding the progression of care needs can help to mitigate stress and protect family relationships.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: The OBBB Is a Reminder for Older People to Have a Long-Term Plan
The new tax bill presents a good opportunity for retirees to revisit tax plans, look into doing some Roth conversions and consider plans for long-term care.
-
I'm an Insurance Expert: This Is Exactly Why Your Insurance Rates Are Soaring (and What You Can Do)
A dramatic rise in the frequency and cost of severe weather and wildfires means you need to prepare, prepare, prepare — no matter where you live — for higher premiums.