BH used the insurance float to make his early money & so they didn't even have to pay interest !
"Berkshire Hathaway's War Chest
Berkshire Hathaway's lifeblood is what industry insiders call a float. This is any money paid to Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance subsidiaries in premiums that has yet to be used to cover any claims.6
This money—also referred to as available reserve—doesn't actually belong to the insurance company. Yet, it remains on hand to be invested as its managers see fit. The company's float was $147 billion in 2021, $9 billion more than in 2020.6
Float allows Berkshire Hathaway to purchase temporarily wounded companies quickly and breathe life back into them. That's exactly what it did with Fruit of the Loom. Berkshire purchased the struggling clothing company for a mere $835 million in 2002 after its stock lost 97% of its value.78"
https://www.investopedia.com/article...orldbeater.asp