Valuation reserves are financial protections required by the insurance industry in order to protect against the natural fluctuations of the value of its investments. Ideally, they are used to prevent an insurance company from becoming insolvent in order to pay out insurance claims and annuities.

The two major components of valuation reserves are an asset valuation reserve and an interest maintenance reserve. The asset valuation reserve is used to establish an assessment of the worth of an insurance company's investments at any given time. This reserve helps to provide protection against unexpected decreases in the portfolio's value due to market fluctuations. The interest maintenance reserve, meanwhile, is used to track securities investments and other financial activities in a given period to determine any gains or losses from interest. In this way, the reserve can help to buffer any potential losses that could occur with bullish or bearish movements of the market.

Regulators are increasingly turning to valuation reserves to ensure that insurance companies remain solvent and keep current on their policies. Risk-based capital requirements provide an additional layer of protection in the form of capital requirements that take into consideration the fluid nature of the market. As such, these regulations help to keep an insurance company's liabilities in balance while protecting their customers’ investments.

Valuation reserves can be beneficial to customers and insurers alike. For customers, they provide assurance that their policies are backed by a financially sound insurance company, as well as protection from any potential losses from unexpected market movements. For insurers, they not only protect against losses, but also provide transparency into the company's financial standing.

Overall, valuation reserves provide a vital layer of financial protection for both insurance companies and their customers. By establishing a reserve for both equity and interest values, the insurance industry can ensure that it will remain solvent and better protect its investments. Regulators are increasingly adopting risk-based capital requirements to ensure that insurance companies are set up for success in the long run. Ultimately, when used properly, valuation reserves can provide a strong foundation for financial security and peace of mind.