In the article, the sense and meaning of reinsurance are analyzed, different situations, when using of reinsurance would be useful, are examined. Reinsurance practices on Latvian, Baltic region and world insurance markets are reviewed. Using reinsurance cover for decreasing the exposure to insurance risks by insurance companies is reviewed in this project. Reinsurance role under European Union Solvency II directive project is examined, as well as reinsurance activity relations with macroeconomic indicators. Reinsurance types are classified according to different characteristics, such as structure and using specialities. Different types of reinsurance and their applications were analyzed. Not only classic types of reinsurance, but also modern reinsurance forms, that have been developed the last years, as reinsurance using stock market, are reviewed. Combinations of different reinsurance types are considered as well. In this article reasons why insurance companies use reinsurance are also analyzed.