In theory, an insurer could avoid this problem by waiting for all claims to be paid before using loss experience to calculate rates. When all claims incurred during a given period have been paid, there is no need for loss reserves. In practice, however, waiting would create problems. If the rate filing were delayed for several years to permit all claims to be settled, then factors such as inflation, changes in traffic conditions, and so forth would have a greater chance of changing the loss exposure. The effects of these factors might be greater than the effects of errors in estimating loss reserves.