THE EFFECT OF INTEREST ON NEGATIVE SURPLUS

In the classical continuous time surplus process, we allow the process to continue if the surplus falls below zero. When the surplus is belo w zero, we assume that the insurer borrows any sum of money required t o pay claims, and pays interest on this borrowing. We use simulation t o study moments and distributions of three quantities: the time to rec overy to surplus level zero, the number of claims that occur when the surplus is below zero, and the maximum absolute value of the surplus p rocess when it is below zero. We also show how simulation can be used to estimate the probability of absolute ruin. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e B.V.