In international trade, credit insurance is a risk management product providing protection to businesses against the risk of a customer defaulting on payment of an invoice. Credit insurance has become increasingly common in the last few years as a useful tool in helping businesses minimize counterparty credit risks. This article looks at the key features and benefits of credit insurance and will consider how to go about obtaining credit insurance coverage for a business.
Credit insurance helps businesses guard against commercial risk arising from a customer’s failure to perform its payment obligations. It does this by providing protection from customer non-payment in circumstances such as customer bankruptcy, insolvency and protracted default.
The key features of credit insurance include:
• Coverage of credit losses: Credit insurance will protect businesses against customer non-payment due to specified causes. Coverage usually extends to include both domestic and foreign customer non-payment.
• Cover for delinquent invoices: Credit insurance will provide businesses with coverage against delinquent accounts, which can be amended and specified as part of the policy.
• Management of claims: Credit insurance provides assistance with the management of claims and helps to facilitate the retrieval of credit loss funds which can be claimed as a result of customer non-payment.
• Risk assessment & selection: Credit insurers undertake customer risk assessment and selection in order to recommend suitable customer credit limits and monitor customer credit performance.
• Debt collection support: Credit insurers can provide businesses with debt collection assistance and legal advice in order to facilitate the retrieval of outstanding accounts.
• Portfolio monitoring: Credit insurers provide businesses with portfolio reviews and risk analysis to ensure that customer accounts are managed appropriately.
The main benefits of credit insurance for businesses include:
• Increased security and protection: Credit insurance provides businesses with increased security and protection against customer non-payment.
• Reduced risk: Credit insurance reduces the risk of customer non-payment by allowing businesses to manage account portfolios more effectively.
• Strengthened cash flow: Credit insurance can help to strengthen cash flow by enabling businesses to identify and address any potential customer payment issues before they arise.
• Improved credit limit management: Credit insurers can provide businesses with assistance in setting appropriate credit limits and managing them effectively.
• Access to debt collection services: Credit insurers can provide businesses with access to debt collection services in order to facilitate the retrieval of overdue payments.
If a business is considering obtaining credit insurance coverage, it should first identify a suitable provider. This can be done by asking other businesses, searching online and consulting insurance brokers. Once a provider has been identified, businesses can compare the features and benefits of different policies before selecting a suitable policy and provider.
In conclusion, credit insurance can provide businesses with peace of mind when trading and help to minimize the risk of customer default or insolvency. It can also provide assistance with portfolio review and management, as well as debt collection services and legal advice to maximize the recovery of credit losses.