What does reinsurance refer to?

Reinsurance refers to the process by which an insurance company transfers a portion of its risk and liability to another insurance company. By doing so, the primary insurer (the company that initially underwrites the insurance policy) can reduce its exposure to large losses and improve its overall financial stability. This technique allows the primary insurer to manage their risk better by sharing it with other parties, thereby enabling them to accept more policies than they would be able to handle alone.

This practice plays a crucial role in the insurance industry, as it helps maintain the balance of risk, ensuring that no single insurer is overwhelmed by claims, especially during catastrophic events. Through reinsurance, the original insurer still retains some level of responsibility for the policy, but the burden of significant financial losses is alleviated.

The other options describe different concepts in the insurance industry rather than reinsurance itself. The initial underwriting process pertains to evaluating risks before issuing a policy. The sale of multiple policies refers to the distribution of various insurance products rather than the transfer of risk. The process of claims adjustment involves the assessment and payment of claims, which is a distinct operation from reinsurance.