What do reserves represent in an insurer's financial statements?

Reserves in an insurer's financial statements represent the ultimate value amounts of unsettled claims. These reserves are critical for ensuring that an insurer has enough funds set aside to cover future claims that policyholders are expected to make. They reflect the company's obligation to pay out claims and are calculated based on various actuarial estimates, taking into account factors such as historical claims data, expected future claims, and the time until claims are settled.

Reserves are not related to projected profits from new policies, which would instead be reflected in an income statement as part of revenue calculations. Similarly, while an insurer may have estimates of future investment returns, these are not classified as reserves but rather as part of asset management and investment strategy. Lastly, total revenue generated over a fiscal year pertains to operational income and does not specifically relate to the concept of reserves, which are primarily concerned with liabilities for future claims.