Dealer reinsurance insights.
Plain-language articles on the questions dealers actually ask: what fees really pay for, how the structures differ, how the B-account works, and how to decide. Educational, never a pitch.
Written by Michael Aufmuth. See our Editorial Standards and Methodology.
What Is a Ceding Fee in Dealer Reinsurance?
The ceding fee is one of the most misunderstood costs in a reinsurance program. Here is what it actually pays for, who receives it, and how to judge it.
Dealer Reinsurance B-Account: Borrowing vs. Withdrawing Funds
Borrowing against reinsurance assets, distributing them, and retaining them are three distinct decisions with different consequences. A neutral framework, not a recommendation.
Is Dealer Reinsurance Worth It for Your Dealership?
The honest answer is that it depends, and this is exactly what it depends on: what you trade, what you get, and how to decide on your real numbers rather than a pitch.
How to Evaluate a Dealer Reinsurance Program: The Warning Signs
A program rarely fails overnight; it drifts, and the drift shows up as warning signs any owner can spot. How to recognize when it is time to look deeper — before small problems become large ones.
The Hidden Costs of Dealer Reinsurance: Why Structure Matters More Than Participation
Two programs with the same participation headline can leave very different money in your company. The difference lives in the structure and the fee stack — here is the whole stack, category by category.
How to Read a Dealer Reinsurance Statement
After the paperwork is signed, your statement is the program. Here are the five numbers to find on every reinsurance statement, the traps to watch, and the questions to ask.
Which F&I Products Belong in Dealer Reinsurance?
Not every F&I product belongs in a reinsurance company, and “can be included” is a different question from “should be.” A framework for evaluating product eligibility and fit.
When to Switch Dealer Reinsurance Programs (and When Not To)
Frustration with a program is common; it does not mean you should replace it. A framework for deciding whether switching is actually the right solution — and the answer is often "not yet."
How to Upgrade a Dealer Reinsurance Program Without Starting Over
Disappointing results do not automatically mean the program should be replaced. Most of the gain usually comes from disciplined optimization of the program you already have.
A CFO-Level Guide to Dealer Reinsurance: Structures, Fees, and Volume Readiness
Reinsurance explained the way a CFO, controller, or office manager evaluates anything: asset behavior, cash-flow profile, expense ratios, reserves, capital, and a real review cadence — not adjectives.
The Dealer Reinsurance Scorecard: Evaluating Program Health
A scorecard is a way to evaluate a program objectively across many dimensions. What it measures, how to read the result, and what a score should never be used for.
Why Dealer Reinsurance Programs Underperform: A Diagnostic Guide
When a program disappoints, the cause is rarely the structure. A framework for diagnosing the real reason — production, economics, or management — before changing anything.
How to Tell a Dealer Reinsurance Sales Pitch from the Program
A polished presentation is not the same thing as a strong program, and an average one is not proof of a weak program. How to judge the program on facts rather than on the pitch.
Should Your Dealer Reinsurance Company Be an 831(a) or an 831(b)?
This is not a tax lecture. It is how to make the 831(a) vs 831(b) decision the way a dealer principal actually should: with the right questions, the right documents, and the right people in the room.
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Occasional, plain-language notes. No pitch, no obligation.
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