Snow doesn’t just slow traffic, it can jam up your financial accuracy too.

At Cascade CPA, we work with MGAs and insurance carriers across the country. And every winter, we see the same accounting missteps creep in. Icy roads are one thing, but icy data? That can stall your decision-making fast.

Let’s look at the top three wintertime pitfalls and how to steer clear.

1. The “Fogged Windshield” Loss Ratio
You wouldn’t drive blind through a blizzard. But that’s what it feels like when Q4 loss ratios aren’t adjusted for seasonal spikes.
Winter brings more claims, delayed reporting, and funky inputs. If you’re an MGA or carrier trying to forecast or report without cleaning the glass first, you’re relying on distorted data.
Pro tip: Adjust your models for seasonal volume shifts and reporting lag before making reserve decisions.

2. The “Shove-in-the-Closet” IBNR
When year-end pressure builds, IBNR often becomes the catch-all. But if you’re plugging gaps instead of making data-backed assumptions, January will be messy.
For carriers and MGAs, misestimated IBNR can skew everything from capital reserves to reinsurance strategy.
Pro tip: Treat IBNR like the strategic forecast it is. Document your methodology and update it as new claim data rolls in.

3. The “Delayed Delivery” Claims Lag
Storms don’t just delay flights, they delay claims too. If your Q4/Q1 reserves aren’t accounting for claims still “in transit,” you could be over- or under-booking.
Think of it like Amazon delivery tracking… but your balance sheet depends on it.
Pro tip: Build winter-specific lag assumptions into your models, especially for property and casualty lines.

Bottom Line?
Winter distorts the numbers but you don’t have to let it distort your financial strategy.
At Cascade CPA, we specialize in accounting support for insurance firms, MGAs, and carriers. From loss ratios to IBNR to reserve modeling, we bring clarity to the chaos.
Let’s make your accounting storm-proof.
Schedule a call today