Risk Management for the Wealthy

September 16, 2010 at 01:48 PM
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What can be done to help wealthy families protect themselves from risks to "assets from lawsuits, natural disasters, identity theft, and other insurable exposures?" The answer may be in the results of a new study, according to a news release Tuesday by the Family Office Exchange and Frank Crystal & Co., an insurance brokerage firm.

The study, "Insurance Matters: A Case for Strategic Insurance Planning," examined 100-plus family offices' "attitudes and behaviors toward insurance, as well as the ramifications for sustaining wealth across multiple generations."

"Families and family offices take a wide range of approaches to insurance," stated Bill Fride, research analyst for Family Office Exchange and lead author for the study. "Those that are strategic, however, achieve significant benefits–enhancing their coverage, reducing the potential for loss and lowering their costs," he added in the announcement.

The result is group of "best practices" for families. First, "develop a systematic process for aligning risk exposures with risk management strategy." Next, "leverage the buying power of the family." Don't forget that children can "put an entire family's assets at risk, " the study findings note, so, " extend insurance coverage and services to the next generation." And, finally, with the family office acting as quarterback, "outsource insurance to an expert."

Comments? Please send them to [email protected]. Kate McBride, AIF(R), is editor in chief of Wealth Managerand a member of The Committee for the Fiduciary Standard.

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