[[Actuarial Notes Wiki|Wiki]] / [[Exam 5 (CAS)]] / **Case Reserves**
## Definition
==Case Reserves== Case reserves are claim-specific estimates of the ultimate cost of reported claims, established by claims adjusters for individual known losses.
## Components
```
Reported Losses = Paid Losses + Case Reserves
Case Reserves represent:
- Expected future payments on known claims
- Indemnity payments
- ALAE (allocated loss adjustment expenses)
```
## Setting Case Reserves
### Initial Reserve
When claim is first reported:
- Based on initial information
- May be formula-driven
- Often conservative
### Reserve Updates
As claim develops:
- New medical reports
- Legal developments
- Settlement negotiations
- Expert opinions
## Case Reserve Development
### Adequate Reserves
```
If reserves are adequate:
- Paid claims match reserves
- Little development over time
- Stable ultimate estimates
```
### Inadequate Reserves
```
If reserves are deficient:
- Payments exceed reserves
- Positive development
- Increasing ultimates
Signs:
- Paid-to-incurred ratios increasing
- Development factors > expected
```
## Impact on Reserving
### Case Outstanding Development Method
Projects ultimate based on case reserve development:
```
Ultimate = Paid + (Case × Case Development Factor)
```
### IBNR Calculation
```
Total Reserves = Case + IBNR
IBNR = Ultimate - (Paid + Case)
```
## Related Concepts
- [[IBNR Reserves]]
- [[Case Outstanding Development Method]]
- [[Reported Losses]]
## References
- Friedland, Chapter 6