With a stock company, excess earnings can be distributed as what?

In a stock insurance company, excess earnings can indeed be distributed as dividends to shareholders. This is a fundamental characteristic of stock companies, which operate similarly to other public companies. Shareholders invest in stock companies and expect a return on their investment, primarily through dividends, which are paid out when the company has excess earnings after covering operational costs and claims.

Dividends are typically paid quarterly or annually and are often calculated as a percentage of the company's profits. This distribution to shareholders provides them with a return on their investments and serves as an incentive for them to hold onto their shares.

The other options may refer to different financial practices: bonuses are generally not distributed to shareholders but may be used for employee compensation; reserves refer to funds set aside for future claims and operational needs rather than being distributed; and premium adjustments relate to the pricing strategies of insurance policies based on varying factors, which would not involve dividend payments. Thus, the correct answer reflects the standard practice within stock insurance companies regarding the distribution of excess earnings.