Glossary

Sovereign insurance

Sovereign insurance is insurance coverage purchased by a national government to protect its budget against the financial impacts of disasters. Under these arrangements, the government pays a premium and receives a payout when a predefined disaster trigger is met

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This working paper presents a framework that compares contingent loans, grants from multilateral development banks, catastrophe bonds, and insurance provided through regional risk pools.

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other key terms

Preparedness

Skills, systems and resources developed to respond effectively to likely future crises.

Index

A measurable indicator used to estimate losses and trigger financial payouts.

Indemnity insurance

Insurance that pays based on assessed losses after damage to a specific asset.

Risk profile

Underlying risks that an organisation or country is exposed to and the extent to which they are mitigated by pre-arranged finance.

Ex ante

Actions, decisions or financial arrangements made before a disaster or crisis occurs.

Attachment point

The loss level above which a reinsurer begins paying under a reinsurance agreement.