Here are five distinct methods, or strategies of dealing with risk:
1. Risk avoidance: Avoid those high risk activities in your life that, should they happen, would be catastrophic to your personal financial plan. Examples of these activities would be speeding, dangerous sports, smoking, etc.
2. Risk retention: To personally assume the risk, in essence self-insuring. In this case the risk must not impose a substantial financial or non-financial threat to you. For example, “I do not insure my life because I have no debts or obligations,” or “I forego long-term care insurance because I believe I have enough in financial assets and cash flow to pay out-of-pocket for this type of medical care.”
3. Risk reduction: There are two sub strategies to this method: Loss Prevention and Control, for example: use of fire and burglar alarms, air bags, and smoking and weight control programs. Risk reduction can also involve minimizing risk by using an insurance company that uses the law of large numbers to maintain their solvency.
4. Risk sharing: In this strategy one assumes a limited degree of manageable risk and transfers the balance of the risk to one or more organizations. For example, I choose a high deductible health plan that would require me to pay the first $5,000 of any major health bills, but would then pick up 100% of the cost after that. This risk sharing agreement allows me to cut my monthly insurance premiums by 40%. I can cover the $5,000 in risk and hope that over the long run my reduction in premiums justifies the risk of having to pay $5,000 out-of-pocket.
5. Risk transfer: I transfer risk completely to a third party in consideration of an insurance premium. Life, disability, and liability risks are often dealt with in this way.