W & A Insurers Inc.

Retention is the portion of the risk the insurer keeps for its own account before reinsurance responds. In this scenario, W & A’s own capacity is $30 million. The additional reinsurance agreement provides extra capacity above that amount, allowing W & A to accept a larger risk than it would otherwise retain alone. If W & A accepts a $37 million risk and reinsures the excess portion, it would retain $30 million and cede the remaining $7 million to the reinsurer. Option C is incorrect because $37 million is the total risk presented, not the insurer’s retained amount after reinsurance. Option D represents the available reinsurance agreement, not W & A’s retention. Option A has no technical basis in the facts provided. This question tests the difference between gross line, net retention, capacity, and reinsured portion. Brokers must understand this because larger risks may require layering, subscription, facultative reinsurance, or market-sharing arrangements before coverage can be confirmed. References/topics: From Quote to Policy; insurer capacity, retention, reinsurance, risk placement, underwriting authority.