Insurance companies make a profit by ensuring that the amount paid on claims does not exceed the amount collected in premiums. Insurance companies work hard to analyze the data and algorithms that indicate the risk of having to pay for a specific policy. When one of those customers needs health care coverage, the insurance company uses the money from this mutual fund to pay it in the form of a claim. This means that investment revenues have been minimal and have not contributed significantly to the revenues of an insurance company.
This is the beauty of the insurance model: taking cash in advance before having to pay a claim in the future (or never) means that insurers can invest their money in them right away. Therefore, the longer the insurance company has between taking your money in premiums and paying you the money for your claim, the more time it has to invest that money (which is actually your money) for its own benefit. The contract stipulates that if you suffer a significant loss, for example, in your car or house, the insurance company will cover that loss under the terms of the contract. By distributing the risk of a catastrophe among a group of people, insurance offers a low-cost approach to providing financial security against unforeseen and often financially devastating events.
Because an insurance company is a for-profit company, it must create an internal business model that raises more cash than it pays customers, while also taking into account the costs of running its business. Another 9% did not have insurance, but the rest had private health insurance that they bought on their own in the individual market (6%) or coverage provided by an employer (50%). When an insurance customer pays their monthly premium, the insurance company takes the money and invests in the financial markets to increase its revenues. The difference between the premiums charged and the money paid on insurance claims is known as subscription income.
Basically, the insurance contract is a promise by the insurance company to pay any losses to the insured in a variety of asset spectrums, in exchange for regular and smaller payments that the insured makes to the insurance company. When a person enrolls in an insurance plan, they agree to pay a fixed premium to the insurer in exchange for the insurer assuming a certain level of risk. To compare quotes from many different companies, enter your zip code on this page to use the free quote tool. Other costs you pay for your health services (such as copayments and coinsurance) are paid to your healthcare provider (doctors and hospitals), NOT to the insurance company.
