What does reinsurance provide for insurance companies?

Reinsurance is a mechanism that allows insurance companies to transfer portions of their risk to other insurance entities, effectively providing a safeguard against large or catastrophic losses. By purchasing reinsurance, an insurer can limit its own exposure to significant financial strains caused by major claims from events such as natural disasters, large-scale accidents, or other unforeseen incidents that could lead to substantial payouts.

This ensures that an insurance company remains solvent and capable of fulfilling its obligations to policyholders, even in the event of overwhelming claims. Reinsurance acts as a buffer, allowing companies to manage their risk portfolios more effectively. Therefore, when discussing the benefits that reinsurance offers to insurance companies, its role in covering catastrophic losses is paramount and highlights a critical aspect of insurance operations.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary functions served by reinsurance. For instance, while employee benefits and minor claims are relevant to an insurer's operations, they do not pertain to the risk management strategic layer that reinsurance provides. Additionally, reinsurance does not serve as a tool for investment opportunities for policyholders. Instead, it is primarily a risk management strategy employed by insurance companies to enhance their financial stability.