Catastrophe losses. When an insurance company issues a policy, it assumes a risk that a catastrophe (for example, a hurricane) might occur within the policy coverage period. SFAS No. 5 concludes that catastrophe reserves fail to satisfy the conditions of SFAS No. 5 for accrual, because losses over the relatively short periods of time covered by policies in force cannot be reasonably estimated. In addition, unless the catastrophe occurs within the policy period, no asset is impaired and no liability is incurred at the balance-sheet date, so no accrual for a catastrophe loss is made.