Of course there is an upper limit on losses they can run. The upper limit is base on their investment returns and the time frame. The time frame is longer than you think. Based on a quick run of the numbers it is measured in years.
> If you are consistently drawing down your float to pay claims instead of adding to it, you are better off leaving the auto insurance industry and simply operating an equity investment firm.
They are continually replenishing the float at the same time. The whole point is that they are operating an equity investment firm, except the investment capital comes from a revolving pool of insurance premiums instead of some other pool of money.
If daily claims meet or exceed the daily premium, the only time available to earn interest is between premium receipt and claim payment.
Imagine founding an insurance company and on day one you receive $100 in premiums and $100 in claims.
I get how even an immediate claim takes time to settle.
Would you agree that this puts an upper limit on the loss they can run? If more aggregate auto claims are submitted than premiums paid in a day, you can only make interest on they delay duration. If payout delay is say 3 months, annual interest is 4%, you break even at a 1% loss on premiums, right?
If you are consistently drawing down your float to pay claims instead of adding to it, you are better off leaving the auto insurance industry and simply operating an equity investment firm.