Praise for the Third Edition "This book provides in-depth coverage of modelling techniques used throughout many branches of actuarial science...The exceptional high standard of this book has made it a pleasure to read." --Annals of Actuarial Science Newly organized to focus exclusively on material tested in the Society of Actuaries' Exam C and the Casualty Actuarial Society's Exam 4, Loss Models: From Data to Decisions, Fourth Edition continues to supply actuaries with a practical approach to the key concepts and techniques needed on the job. With updated material and extensive examples, the book successfully provides the essential methods for using available data to construct models for the frequency and severity of future adverse outcomes. The book continues to equip readers with the tools needed for the construction and analysis of mathematical models that describe the process by which funds flow into and out of an insurance system. Focusing on the loss process, the authors explore key quantitative techniques including random variables, basic distributional quantities, and the recursive method, and discuss techniques for classifying and creating distributions. Parametric, non-parametric, and Bayesian estimation methods are thoroughly covered along with advice for choosing an appropriate model. New features of this Fourth Edition include: Expanded discussion of working with large data sets, now including more practical elements of constructing decrement tables Added coverage of methods for simulating several special situations An updated presentation of Bayesian estimation, outlining conjugate prior distributions and the linear exponential family as well as related computational issues Throughout the book, numerous examples showcase the real-world applications of the presented concepts, with an emphasis on calculations and spreadsheet implementation. A wealth of new exercises taken from previous Exam C/4 exams allows readers to test their comprehension of the material, and a related FTP site features the book's data sets. Loss Models, Fourth Edition is an indispensable resource for students and aspiring actuaries who are preparing to take the SOA and CAS examinations. The book is also a valuable reference for professional actuaries, actuarial students, and anyone who works with loss and risk models. To explore our additional offerings in actuarial exam preparation visit www.wiley.com/go/c4actuarial .

A guide that provides in-depth coverage of modeling techniques used throughout many branches of actuarial science, revised and updated Now in its fifth edition, Loss Models: From Data to Decisions puts the focus on material tested in the Society of Actuaries (SOA) newly revised Exams STAM (Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics) and LTAM (Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics). Updated to reflect these exam changes, this vital resource offers actuaries, and those aspiring to the profession, a practical approach to the concepts and techniques needed to succeed in the profession. The techniques are also valuable for anyone who uses loss data to build models for assessing risks of any kind. Loss Models contains a wealth of examples that highlight the real-world applications of the concepts presented, and puts the emphasis on calculations and spreadsheet implementation. With a focus on the loss process, the book reviews the essential quantitative techniques such as random variables, basic distributional quantities, and the recursive method, and discusses techniques for classifying and creating distributions. Parametric, non-parametric, and Bayesian estimation methods are thoroughly covered. In addition, the authors offer practical advice for choosing an appropriate model. This important text: - Presents a revised and updated edition of the classic guide for actuaries that aligns with newly introduced Exams STAM and LTAM - Contains a wealth of exercises taken from previous exams - Includes fresh and additional content related to the material required by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) - Offers a solutions manual available for further insight, and all the data sets and supplemental material are posted on a companion site Written for students and aspiring actuaries who are preparing to take the SOA examinations, Loss Models offers an essential guide to the concepts and techniques of actuarial science.

A modern practical guide to building and using actuarial models. Loss Models: From Data to Decisions is organized around the principle that actuaries build models in order to analyze risks and make decisions about managing the risks based on conclusions drawn from the analysis. In practice, one begins with data and ends with a business decision. The book flows logically from this principle. It begins with a framework for model building and a description of frequency and severity loss data typically available to actuaries. Parametric models are emphasized throughout. The frequency and severity models are used in building aggregate loss models, in credibility-based pricing models, and in loss analysis over multiple time periods. Designed as both an educational text as well as a professional reference, Loss Models: Assumes little prior knowledge of insurance systems Features many fascinating examples taken from insurance files Contains a major instructive case study continued through each chapter Covers the classical areas of risk theory and loss distributions Gives a practical but rigorous treatment of modern credibility theory Uses standard statistical concepts, methods, and notation Provides modern computational algorithms for implementing methods Includes free companion software available from an FTP site Deals with many topics on CAS 4B and SOA 151 and 152 actuarial exams Includes many exercises based on past CAS and SOA exams.

An essential resource for constructing and analyzing advanced actuarial models Loss Models: Further Topics presents extended coverage of modeling through the use of tools related to risk theory, loss distributions, and survival models. The book uses these methods to construct and evaluate actuarial models in the fields of insurance and business. Providing an advanced study of actuarial methods, the book features extended discussions of risk modeling and risk measures, including Tail-Value-at-Risk. Loss Models: Further Topics contains additional material to accompany the Fourth Edition of Loss Models: From Data to Decisions, such as: * Extreme value distributions * Coxian and related distributions * Mixed Erlang distributions * Computational and analytical methods for aggregate claim models * Counting processes * Compound distributions with time-dependent claim amounts * Copula models * Continuous time ruin models * Interpolation and smoothing The book is an essential reference for practicing actuaries and actuarial researchers who want to go beyond the material required for actuarial qualification. Loss Models: Further Topics is also an excellent resource for graduate students in the actuarial field.

Loss Models: From Data to Decisions, Fifth Edition continues to supply actuaries with a practical approach to the key concepts and techniques needed on the job. With updated material and extensive examples, the book successfully provides the essential methods for using available data to construct models for the frequency and severity of future adverse outcomes. The book continues to equip readers with the tools needed for the construction and analysis of mathematical models that describe the process by which funds flow into and out of an insurance system. Focusing on the loss process, the authors explore key quantitative techniques including random variables, basic distributional quantities, and the recursive method, and discuss techniques for classifying and creating distributions. Parametric, non-parametric, and Bayesian estimation methods are thoroughly covered along with advice for choosing an appropriate model. Throughout the book, numerous examples showcase the real-world applications of the presented concepts, with an emphasis on calculations and spreadsheet implementation. Loss Models: From Data to Decisions, Fifth Edition is an indispensable resource for students and aspiring actuaries who are preparing to take the SOA and CAS examinations. The book is also a valuable reference for professional actuaries, actuarial students, and anyone who works with loss and risk models.