Let \(X_1, X_2,\ldots \) be independent non-negative integer-valued random variables and N a non-negative integer-valued random variable independent of \(X_i\) ’s. We derive bounds in Poisson approximation for the random sum \(W_N=\sum _{i=1}^N X_i\) , and the sum \(W_n=\sum _{i=1}^n X_i\) when \(\mathbb {P}(N=n)=1\) in stop-loss metrics of order 1 and 2 through Stein’s method and the zero bias transformation. As part of our applications, we provide specific bounds for the net stop-loss premium and the collateralized debt obligation.