System for syndication of insurance

1. An apparatus for facilitating a syndicated sale of an underwriting of an insurance policy, the apparatus comprising:

a processing system including a processor and a storage device connected to the processor;

a data receiving device connected to the processing system for receiving data; and

a data output device connected to the processing system for outputting data,

wherein the storage device contains a program, adapted to be executed by the processor,

to receive a query regarding an availability of credit of a credit account of a buyer of a share of the underwriting of the insurance policy sufficient to cover a risk cost associated with the share,

to transit a response to the query,

to perform a credit freeze with respect to the credit account so as to secure a credit amount necessary to cover the risk cost,

to transmit a verification that the credit freeze has been performed,

to receive electronically notice that the credit account is no longer valid; and

to cancel participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the program is further adapted to make a charge against the credit account in accordance with the share if a payment to an insured pursuant to the insurance policy is made.

3. An automated method of syndicating the underwriting of an insurance policy, comprising the steps of:

providing electronic data including information relating to the insurance policy;

receiving electronic data identifying a buyer of a share in the underwriting of the insurance policy, the received electronic data including an identifier of a security against which a risk cost to the buyer can be collateralized;

receiving electronically notice that the security is no longer valid; and

canceling participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the security is a credit account, and further comprising the steps of:

initiating an electronic communication with an issuer of the credit account to determine whether sufficient credit is available to cover the risk cost; and

electronically initiating a credit freeze with respect to the credit account, so as to secure a credit amount necessary to cover the risk cost.

5. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of initiating payment of a portion of a premium associated with the insurance policy to the buyer of the share, the portion having a size in accordance with the share.

6. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:

encrypting the data provided in the providing step; and

decrypting the data received in the receiving step.

7. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of storing the information relating to the insurance policy and information relating to the buyer, the share, the risk cost and the collateral security.

8. A method according to claim 4 , further comprising the step of initiating an electronic communication with the issuer of the credit account to make a charge against the credit account in accordance with the share if a payment to an insured pursuant to the insurance policy is made.

9. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the electronic data is provided in the providing step to a plurality of buyers on an electronic network and received in the receiving step on the electronic network.

10. A method of facilitating a syndicated sale of an underwriting of an insurance policy, comprising the steps of:

providing policy information regarding the insurance policy;

initiating a premium payment to a buyer of a share of the underwriting of the policy of a portion of a premium associated with the policy, the portion having a size in accordance with the share;

performing a credit freeze with respect to a credit account of the buyer so as to secure a credit amount necessary to cover the risk cost;

tranmitting a verification that the credit freeze has been performed;

initiating a communication to make a charge against a credit account of the buyer in accordance with the share if a claim payment to an insured pursuant to the insurance policy is made;

receiving electronically notice that the credit account is no longer valid; and

canceling participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

11. A method of facilitating a syndicated sale of an underwriting of an insurance policy, comprising the steps of:

receiving a query regarding an availability of credit of a credit account of a buyer of a share of the underwriting of the insurance policy sufficient to cover a risk cost associated with the share;

transmitting a response to the query;

performing a credit freeze with respect to the credit account so as to secure a credit amount necessary to cover the risk cost;

transmitting a verification that the credit freeze has been performed;

receiving electronically notice at the edit account is no longer valid; and

canceling participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

12. A computer readable medium in which is stored computer readable code to be executed by a computer, the computer readable code for performing a method of syndicating underwriting of an insurance policy comprising the steps of:

providing information regarding the insurance policy;

initiating payment of a portion of a premium associated with the policy to a buyer of a share of the underwriting of the policy, the portion having a size in accordance with the share;

initiating a communication to make a charge against a credit account of the buyer in accordance with the share if a claim payment to an insured pursuant to the insurance policy is made;

receiving electronically notice that the credit account is no longer valid; and

canceling participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

13. A computer readable medium in which is stored computer readable code to be executed by a computer, the computer readable code for performing a method of syndicating underwriting of an insurance policy comprising the steps of:

responding to a query regarding an availability of credit of a credit account of a buyer of a share of the underwriting of the insurance policy sufficient to cover a risk cost associated with the share;

performing a credit freeze with respect to the credit account so as to secure a credit amount necessary to cover the risk cost;

transmitting a verification of the credit freeze;

making a charge against the credit account in accordance with the share if a claim payment to an insured pursuant to the insurance policy is made;

receiving electronically notice that the credit account is no longer valid; and

canceling participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

14. A method for buying a share of an underwriting of an insurance policy, comprising the steps of:

receiving electronically data describing the insurance policy, the data including a risk cost associated with the share of the underwriting of the insurance policy;

providing electronically an offer to buy the share of the underwriting of the insurance policy, the offer including identification of a credit account against which the risk cost may be charged if a payment is made to an insured pursuant to the insurance policy;

receiving an acceptance of the offer;

freezing the credit account in an amount necessary to cover the risk cost;

receiving electronically notice that the credit account is no longer valid; and

canceling participation of the buyer in the insurance policy in response to the notice.

15. A method according to claim 14 , further comprising the step of receiving a premium payment comprising a portion of a premium associated with the insurance policy, the portion being in accordance with the share.

16. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the offer is provided in the providing step in encrypted form and the acceptance is received in the receiving step in encrypted form.