West Virginia Property and Casualty Licensing Practice Exam

An insurance company owned by its policyholders is known as what?

1. Stock insurance company

2. Mutual insurance company

3. Reciprocal insurance company

4. Service insurance company

The correct answer is: Mutual insurance company

A mutual insurance company is an organization formed for the purpose of providing insurance to its policyholders, who are also the owners of the company. In this structure, the policyholders have a direct stake in the company and participate in its profits and losses. Unlike stock insurance companies, which are investor-owned and may issue stock to raise capital, mutual insurance companies do not have shareholders in the traditional sense. Instead, policyholders elect a board of directors and can receive dividends or reduced premiums based on the company's performance. This cooperative approach aligns the interests of policyholders with the company’s operations, making mutual insurance companies particularly appealing to individuals seeking both coverage and a stake in the insurance provider. In contrast, stock insurance companies are owned by shareholders, reciprocal insurance companies are formed by policyholders who agree to insure each other's risks, and service insurance companies provide specific services rather than traditional insurance policies.