A system and method for assessing risk is provided. The method comprises determining an investment index associated with investment by an insurance company in an insurance pool. Next, the method comprises determining a return index associated with an expected return to the insurance company from participating in the insurance pool; and determining a benefit index based on the investment and return indices. The system for assessing risk comprises an assessment module for assessing risks associated with an insurance company's participation in an insurance pool based on at least one of: an investment index associated with the costs of participating in the insurance pool, and a return index associated with the benefits of participating in the insurance pool.