Bayesian modelling of financial guarantee insurance

In this paper we model the claim process of financial guarantee insurance, and predict the pure premium and the required amount of risk capital. The data used are from the financial guarantee system of the Finnish statutory pension scheme. The losses in financial guarantee insurance may be devastating during an economic depression (i.e., deep recession). This indicates that the economic business cycle, and in particular depressions, must be taken into account in modelling the claim amounts in financial guarantee insurance. A Markov regime-switching model is used to predict the frequency and severity of future depression periods. The claim amounts are predicted using a transfer function model where the predicted growth rate of the real GNP is an explanatory variable. The pure premium and initial risk reserve are evaluated on the basis of the predictive distribution of claim amounts. Bayesian methods are applied throughout the modelling process. For example, estimation is based on posterior simulation with the Gibbs sampler, and model adequacy is assessed by posterior predictive checking. Simulation results show that the required amount of risk capital is high, even though depressions are an infrequent phenomenon.     

Collective risk models with dependence

In actuarial science, collective risk models, in which the aggregate claim amount of a portfolio is defined in terms of random sums, play a crucial role. In these models, it is common to assume that the number of claims and their amounts are independent, even if this might not always be the case. We consider collective risk models with different dependence structures. Due to the importance of such risk models in an actuarial setting, we first investigate a collective risk model with dependence involving the family of multivariate mixed Erlang distributions. Other models based on mixtures involving bivariate and multivariate copulas in a more general setting are then presented. These different structures allow to link the number of claims to each claim amount, and to quantify the aggregate claim loss. Then, we use Archimedean and hierarchical Archimedean copulas in collective risk models, to model the dependence between the claim number random variable and the claim amount random variables involved in the random sum. Such dependence structures allow us to derive a computational methodology for the assessment of the aggregate claim amount. While being very flexible, this methodology is easy to implement, and can easily fit more complicated hierarchical structures.     

Ruin probability and time of ruin with a proportional reinsurance threshold strategy

In this paper, we present a threshold proportional reinsurance strategy and we analyze the effect on some solvency measures: ruin probability and time of ruin. This dynamic reinsurance strategy assumes a retention level that is not constant and depends on the level of the surplus. In a model with inter-occurrence times being generalized Erlang(n)-distributed, we obtain the integro-differential equation for the Gerber?CShiu function. Then, we present the solution for inter-occurrence times exponentially distributed and claim amount phase-type(N). Some examples for exponential and phase-type(2) claim amount are presented. Finally, we show some comparisons between threshold reinsurance and proportional reinsurance.     

Sarmanov family of multivariate distributions for bivariate dynamic claim counts model

To predict future claims, it is well-known that the most recent claims are more predictive than older ones. However, classic panel data models for claim counts, such as the multivariate negative binomial distribution, do not put any time weight on past claims. More complex models can be used to consider this property, but often need numerical procedures to estimate parameters. When we want to add a dependence between different claim count types, the task would be even more difficult to handle. In this paper, we propose a bivariate dynamic model for claim counts, where past claims experience of a given claim type is used to better predict the other type of claims. This new bivariate dynamic distribution for claim counts is based on random effects that come from the Sarmanov family of multivariate distributions. To obtain a proper dynamic distribution based on this kind of bivariate priors, an approximation of the posterior distribution of the random effects is proposed. The resulting model can be seen as an extension of the dynamic heterogeneity model described in Bolancé et al. (2007). We apply this model to two samples of data from a major Canadian insurance company, where we show that the proposed model is one of the best models to adjust the data. We also show that the proposed model allows more flexibility in computing predictive premiums because closed-form expressions can be easily derived for the predictive distribution, the moments and the predictive moments.     

On the discrete-time compound renewal risk model with dependence

In this paper, we study the discrete-time renewal risk model with dependence between the claim amount random variable and the interclaim time random variable. We consider several dependence structures between the claim amount random variable and the interclaim time random variable. Recursive formulas are derived for the probability mass function and the moments of the total claim amount over a fixed period of time. In the context of ruin theory, explicit expressions for the expected penalty (Gerber-Shiu) function are derived for special cases. We also discuss how the discrete-time compound renewal risk model with dependence can be used to approximate the corresponding continuous time compound renewal risk model with dependence. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate different topics discussed in the paper.     

Multivariate probit models for conditional claim-types

This paper considers statistical modeling of the types of claim in a portfolio of insurance policies. For some classes of insurance contracts, in a particular period, it is possible to have a record of whether or not there is a claim on the policy, the types of claims made on the policy, and the amount of claims arising from each of the types. A typical example is automobile insurance where in the event of a claim, we are able to observe the amounts that arise from say injury to oneself, damage to one’s own property, damage to a third party’s property, and injury to a third party. Modeling the frequency and the severity components of the claims can be handled using traditional actuarial procedures. However, modeling the claim-type component is less known and in this paper, we recommend analyzing the distribution of these claim-types using multivariate probit models, which can be viewed as latent variable threshold models for the analysis of multivariate binary data. A recent article by Valdez and Frees [Valdez, E.A., Frees, E.W., Longitudinal modeling of Singapore motor insurance. University of New South Wales and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Working Paper. Dated 28 December 2005, available from: http://wwwdocs.fce.unsw.edu.au/actuarial/research/papers/2006/Valdez-Frees-2005.pdf] considered this decomposition to extend the traditional model by including the conditional claim-type component, and proposed the multinomial logit model to empirically estimate this component. However, it is well known in the literature that this type of model assumes independence across the different outcomes. We investigate the appropriateness of fitting a multivariate probit model to the conditional claim-type component in which the outcomes may in fact be correlated, with possible inclusion of important covariates. Our estimation results show that when the outcomes are correlated, the multinomial logit model produces substantially different predictions relative to the true predictions; and second, through a simulation analysis, we find that even in ideal conditions under which the outcomes are independent, multinomial logit is still a poor approximation to the true underlying outcome probabilities relative to the multivariate probit model. The results of this paper serve to highlight the trade-off between tractability and flexibility when choosing the appropriate model.     

A Saddlepoint Approximation to the Distribution of Inhomogeneous Discounted Compound Poisson Processes

In this article we propose an accurate approximation to the distribution of the discounted total claim amount, where the individual claim amounts are independent and identically distributed and the number of claims over a specified period is governed by an inhomogeneous Poisson process. More precisely, we compute cumulant generating functions of such discounted total claim amounts under various intensity functions and individual claim amount distributions, and invert them by the saddlepoint approximation. We provide precise conditions under which the saddlepoint approximation holds. The resulting approximation is numerically accurate, computationally fast and hence more efficient than Monte Carlo simulation.     

Asymptotics for tail probability of total claim amount with negatively dependent claim sizes and its applications

In this paper, we obtain the asymptotics for the tail probability of the total claim amount with negatively dependent claim sizes in two cases: in the first case, the distribution tail of the claim number is dominatedly varying; in the second case, the distribution of the claim number is in the maximum domain of attraction of the Gumbel distribution, and the claim sizes are light-tailed. In both cases, we assume that the claim sizes are nondegenerate negatively dependent and identically distributed random variables and that the claim number is not necessarily independent of the claim sizes. As applications, we derive asymptotics for the finite-time ruin probabilities in some dependent compound renewal risk models with constant interest rate.     

Subgroup analysis of zero-inflated Poisson regression model with applications to insurance data

Customized personal rate offering is of growing importance in the insurance industry. To achieve this, an important step is to identify subgroups of insureds from the corresponding heterogeneous claim frequency data. In this paper, a penalized Poisson regression approach for subgroup analysis in claim frequency data is proposed. Subjects are assumed to follow a zero-inflated Poisson regression model with group-specific intercepts, which capture group characteristics of claim frequency. A penalized likelihood function is derived and optimized to identify the group-specific intercepts and effects of individual covariates. To handle the challenges arising from the optimization of the penalized likelihood function, an alternating direction method of multipliers algorithm is developed and its convergence is established. Simulation studies and real applications are provided for illustrations.     

随机利率作用下的经典风险模型的破产概率

本文讨论了在随机利率作用下经典风险模型的破产问题,给出了导致公司破产的索赔额的L ap lace变换所满足的微分方程,给出了破产概率二次连续可微性的条件,得到了导致公司破产的所满足的积分微分方程;破产时刻公司赤字的L ap lace变换所满足的积分-微分方程.作为特例,本文给出了当索赔为指数分布地导致破产索赔额的L ap lace变换和破产时刻赤字的L ap lace变换的微分方程.     

Parametric multiple regression risk models: Theory and statistical analysis

Parametric multiple regression models for the claim number and the claim amount of an individual risk are introduced allowing explanatory variables to influence the mean claim number (amount). A model for an entire portfolio of risks is established on this basis. Then an extensive and in many cases efficient statistical analysis of this model is presented.     

风险非同质性保单组合赔付额的计算

对于保单组合赔付次数及赔付额的计算,是非寿险精算研究的一项基本内容.讨论了非同质风险下的保单组合,在赔付次数采用混合泊松分布拟合时的两种情况下赔付额分布的计算,给出了相应的迭代公式.     

Risk model with fuzzy random individual claim amount

In this paper, we consider a risk model in which individual claim amount is assumed to be a fuzzy random variable and the claim number process is characterized as a Poisson process. The mean chance of the ultimate ruin is researched. Particularly, the expressions of the mean chance of the ultimate ruin are obtained for zero initial surplus and arbitrary initial surplus if individual claim amount is an exponentially distributed fuzzy random variable. The results obtained in this paper coincide with those in stochastic case when the fuzzy random variables degenerate to random variables. Finally, two numerical examples are presented.     

Stochastic comparison of aggregate claim amounts between two heterogeneous portfolios and its applications

The aggregate claim amount in a particular time period is a quantity of fundamental importance for proper management of an insurance company and also for pricing of insurance coverages. In this paper, we show that the proportional hazard rates (PHR) model, which includes some well-known distributions such as exponential, Weibull and Pareto distributions, can be used as the aggregate claim amount distribution. We also present some conditions for the use of exponentiated Weibull distribution as the claim amount distribution. The results established here complete and extend the well-known result of Khaledi and Ahmadi (2008).     

Risk models based on time series for count random variables

In this paper, we generalize the classical discrete time risk model by introducing a dependence relationship in time between the claim frequencies. The models used are the Poisson autoregressive model and the Poisson moving average model. In particular, the aggregate claim amount and related quantities such as the stop-loss premium, value at risk and tail value at risk are discussed within this framework.     

带马氏利率的离散时间风险模型的破产概率

本文考虑一类保费和理赔额均为随机变量,且利率为马氏链的离散时间风险模型。推出了有限时间和最终时间破产概率的递归方程,并用归纳法得到了最终时间破产概率的上界表达式。     

Optimal investment policy of an insurance firm

In this paper we consider an investment problem by an insurance firm. As in the classical model of collective risk, it is assumed that premium payments are received deterministically from policyholders at a constant rate, while the claim process is determined by a compound Poisson process. We introduce a conversion mechanism of funds from cash into investments and vice versa. Contrary to the conventional collective risk model we do not assume a ruin barrier. Instead we introduce conversion costs to account for the problems implicit in reaching the zero boundary. The objective of the firm is to maximize its net profit by selecting an appropriate investment strategy. A diffusion approximation is suggested in order to obtain tractable results for a general claim size distribution.     

Diagnostics in Birnbaum–Saunders accelerated life models with an application to fatigue data

In industrial statistics, there is great interest in predicting with precision lifetimes of specimens that operate under stress. For example, a bad estimation of the lower percentiles of a life distribution can produce significant monetary losses to organizations due to an excessive amount of warranty claims. The Birnbaum–Saunders distribution is useful for modeling lifetime data. This is because such a distribution allows us to relate the total time until the failure occurs to some type of cumulative damage produced by stress. In this paper, we propose a methodology for detecting influence of atypical data in accelerated life models on the basis of the Birnbaum–Saunders distribution. The methodology developed in this study should be considered in the design of structures and in the prediction of warranty claims. We conclude this work with an application of the proposed methodology on the basis of real fatigue life data, which illustrates its importance in a warranty claim problem. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ACHIEVING ADVERSARIAL ROBUSTNESS REQUIRES AN ACTIVE TEACHER

A new understanding of adversarial examples and adversarial robustness is proposed by decoupling the data generator and the label generator (which we call the teacher).In our framework,adversarial robustness is a conditional concept--the student model is not absolutely robust,but robust with respect to the teacher.Based on the new understand-ing,we claim that adversarial examples exist because the student cannot obtain sufficient information of the teacher from the training data.Various ways of achieving robustness is compared.Theoretical and numerical evidence shows that to efficiently attain robustness,a teacher that actively provides its information to the student may be necessary.     

Multivariate negative binomial models for insurance claim counts

It is no longer uncommon these days to find the need in actuarial practice to model claim counts from multiple types of coverage, such as the ratemaking process for bundled insurance contracts. Since different types of claims are conceivably correlated with each other, the multivariate count regression models that emphasize the dependency among claim types are more helpful for inference and prediction purposes. Motivated by the characteristics of an insurance dataset, we investigate alternative approaches to constructing multivariate count models based on the negative binomial distribution. A classical approach to induce correlation is to employ common shock variables. However, this formulation relies on the NB-I distribution which is restrictive for dispersion modeling. To address these issues, we consider two different methods of modeling multivariate claim counts using copulas. The first one works with the discrete count data directly using a mixture of max-id copulas that allows for flexible pair-wise association as well as tail and global dependence. The second one employs elliptical copulas to join continuitized data while preserving the dependence structure of the original counts. The empirical analysis examines a portfolio of auto insurance policies from a Singapore insurer where claim frequency of three types of claims (third party property damage, own damage, and third party bodily injury) are considered. The results demonstrate the superiority of the copula-based approaches over the common shock model. Finally, we implemented the various models in loss predictive applications.