2023-12-14
The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) issued this notice to clarify and adjust the Minimum Capital Test calculations for reciprocal unions under their 2023 capital adequacy guideline. It specifies precise cash flow treatments for unexpired coverage under both the General Measurement Model and Premium Allocation Approach, ensuring strict alignment with IFRS 17. The clarified formulas explicitly incorporate reinsurance commissions, expected premiums payable, and time value adjustments to standardize capital requirements across the sector.
Notice relating to the application of the Guideline on Capital Adequacy Requirements – Reciprocal Unions 2023 (the “Guideline”) On July 21, 2022, the Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) published the final version of the Guideline, which took effect on January 1, 2023, in its Bulletin. Since its release, the AMF has noticed that some Guideline items could present difficulties in interpretation or application. This notice sets out clarifications and adjustments to enable reciprocal unions to calculate the MCT in accordance with the AMF’s expectations. Clarifications and adjustments Insurance risk – Calculating unexpired coverage for reinsurance contracts held Publication date: December 14, 2023 Effective date: January 1, 2023 Cash flows to be recognized The Autorité des marchés financiers (the "AMF") has received comments seeking clarifications on the cash flows to be considered in determining the unexpired coverage for reinsurance contracts held, described in section 4.3.2.2 of the Guideline. In response to these comments, and to ensure that the MCT is applied consistently and in accordance with IFRS 17, the AMF is providing the following clarification. Clarification by the AMF The unexpired coverage for groups of insurance contracts held must be determined using one or the other of the following methods. By way of clarification, the AMF is adding the following elements (underlined): Groups of reinsurance contracts held measured using the GMM Unexpired coverage for reinsurance contracts held (using the GMM) = (Estimate of future cash flows for reinsurance contracts held (excluding premium and reinsurance commission cash flows that are due)1
Groups of reinsurance contracts held measured using the PAA Unexpired coverage for reinsurance contracts held (using the PAA) = {(ARC excluding the loss recovery component + unamortized reinsurance commission3 ) + premiums to be paid4 for reinsurance contracts held + expected premiums payable for future reinsurance contracts held} x ELR5 - (expected premiums payable6 for reinsurance contracts held net of associated reinsurance commissions receivable7 + expected premiums payable for future reinsurance contracts held net of associated expected reinsurance commissions receivable) 3 The reinsurance commission is the ceding commission (or a portion of the ceding commission) paid by the reinsurer to the ceding reciprocal union, which is not contingent on claims of the underlying contracts and generally includes a total provision for broker/agent commissions, insurance premium taxes and other acquisition and servicing expenses. 4 Whether outstanding or not yet due. 5 The ELR for the unexpired coverage for reinsurance contracts held (using the PAA) in section 4.3.2.2 is the ELR for the ceded calculations that relates to the portion of such contracts that covers the unexpired portion of the underlying insurance contracts issued. It can therefore differ from the ELR in section 4.3.2.1 for calculating the unexpired coverage for insurance contracts issued (using the PAA). 6 Not yet due. Expected premiums payable and associated reinsurance commissions receivable on risk attaching proportional reinsurance contracts held are considered due; therefore, the amount of expected premiums payable for these contracts is zero. 7 Not yet due. Expected premiums payable and associated reinsurance commissions receivable on risk attaching proportional reinsurance contracts held are considered due; therefore, the amount of expected premiums payable for these contracts is zero.
If you have any questions, please contact Zinsou Ruffin Adja (ZinsouRuffin.Adja@lautorite.qc.ca). Luc Naud Director, Capital and Liquidity Policy December 14, 2023