An incident at a specific time and place in which a loss occurs.

What it will cost to replace an item at the time of loss after subtracting depreciation. Common method of determining the amount of reimbursement for a loss.

A contract where one party has more power than the other in composing and drafting the contract. An insurance policy is an adhesion contract because the insurance agent and company have the power in composing and drafting the contract.

A state-licensed professional who represents an insurance company in selling and servicing policies. In most states, agents are required to undergo approximately 40 hours of passing classroom instruction for the type of insurance they are qualifying for to be approved to take the state insurance exam. After successfully completing the state exam an agent will need to take continuing education classes to keep her/his license current. Only agents are allowed to sell and service insurance policies and only in the states they are licensed in.

A state sponsored plan for individuals who are not able to obtain insurance under private companies. This coverage is usually very expensive and will have very limited coverage’s.

Immediate insurance coverage that can be in oral or written form. Usually provides temporary coverage for a specified time until a formal policy is accepted or denied.

An insurance policy that covers more than one piece of property at a specific location or multiple items at multiple locations.

In most policies bodily injury means sickness, disease, injury, and death arising from sickness, disease, or injury.

Someone who represents you with your insurance transactions, unlike an agent, who represents the insurance company.

Coverage against loss as a result of forced entry into premises.

The termination of insurance coverage during the policy period. Flat cancellation is the cancellation of a policy as of its effective date, without any premium charge.

The unrelated coverage’s of liability, auto, workers compensation, aviation, crime, and surety bonds.

A request to an insurance company to pay for a loss. After a claim is requested or filed an evaluation process will begin to determine if the loss is the responsibility of the requested company.

The first or third party. That is any person who asserts right of recovery.

Coverage that pays to repair or replace your car after an accident or collision. A deductible can apply depending on the insured’s requests at the start of the policy. In most states this is an optional coverage and is not usually a required covarage.

Coverage that helps pay for losses to an insured car due to fire, theft, or other losses that are not the result of a collision as stated in the insured’s policy. A deductible can apply depending on the insured’s requests at the start of the policy. In most states this is an optional coverage and is not usually a required coverage. (note: Colliding with an animal falls under comprehensive coverage)

The company refuses to accept the request for insurance coverage.

The amount the insured is required and obligated to pay by the insurance policy. The deductible is chosen by the insured and is usually applied to coverage’s such as comprehensive and collision. Generally the lower the deductible, the higher the insurance premium.

Health insurance that provides income payments to the insured wage earner when income is interrupted or terminated because of illness, sickness, or accident.

Amendment to the policy used to add or delete coverage.

Certain causes and conditions, listed in the policy, which are not covered.

The date on which the policy ends.

The dollar amount to be paid to the beneficiary when the insured dies. It does not include other amounts that may be paid from insurance purchased with dividends or any policy riders.

A surety bond, insurance policy or, when issued by an insurer, an indemnity contract and any guaranty similar to the foregoing types, under which loss is payable upon proof of occurence of financial loss to an insured claimant, obligee, or indemnitee.

Coverage for loss of or damage to a building and/or contents due to fire.

A period (usually 31 days) after the premium due date, during which an overdue premium may be paid without penalty. The policy remains in force throughout this period.

An option that permits the policy holder to buy additional stated amounts of life insurance at stated times in the future without evidence of insurability.

A policy that will pay specifies sums for medical expenses or treatments. Health policies can offer many options and vary in their approaches to coverage.

An elective combination of coverages for the risks of owning a home. Can include losses due to fire, burglary, vandalism, earthquake, and other perils.

A policy provision in which the company agrees not to contest the validity of the contract after it has been in force for a certain period of time, usually two years.

All who are covered and listed by the insurance policy. Most insurance companies require every licensed driver living with you must be listed on your insurance policy unless they have a completely separate policy of their own. Examples: After Pat filed her claim her agent said that they would cover the entire cost of replacing the hood of her car after she contributed her deductible of $500.

The insurance company.

Prepaid legal insurance coverage plan sold on a group basis.

One’s legal responsibility to pay for damages due to an accident or loss. Liability coverage for automobile insurance is the one coverage that is required in all states.

A policy that will pay a specified sum to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured.

The maximum amount of money an insurance company will pay for each coverage. For additional coverage some choose umbrella insurance to go above and beyond their home and auto liability limits. Each state sets different limits on required minimum coverage for automobile insurance.

The amount which can be borrowed at a specified rate of interest from the issuing company by the policyholder, using the value of the policy as collateral. In the event the policyholder dies with the debt partially or fully unpaid, then the amount borrowed plus any interest is deducted from the amount payable.

A loss is any type of damage to property due to numerous reasons including fire, theft, and flood. It also includes harms suffered by persons.

Coverage for goods in transit and the vehicles of transportation on waterways, land, and air.

The policyholder/applicant makes a false statement of any material (important) fact on his/her application. For instance, the policyholder provides false information regarding the location where the vehicle is garaged.

This type of coverage provides payments for medical treatments for bodily injury due to a covered accident and up to the coverage limit. It is generally for the people in your vehicle and has no deductible. This should be used promptly and is encouraged by insurance companies to do so. One reason for this coverage is to help remedy the injured person immediately so they will not feel anguished by what happened and want to sue the at fault driver.

An incorrect estimate of the insurance premium.

Life insurance that pays the balance of a mortgage if the mortgagor (insured) dies.

The cause of a possible loss. For example, fire, theft, or hail.

Optional coverage for things not usually covered in general policies such as lost wages and childcare expenses. The coverage would be effective due to bodily injury caused by a covered accident.

The written contract of insurance.

The maximum amount a policy will pay, either overall or under a particular coverage.

The amount of payment due to the insurance company in exchange for the insurance policy. Depending on the length of the policy term, the premium is sometimes paid at the beginning or in monthly payments. Regardless of the payment method one is insured to the full value of the policy at any time during the policy period as long as payments are on time as stated in the insurance policy.

A  policyholder contracts with a lender to pay the insurance premium on his/her behalf. The policyholder agrees to repay the lender for the cost of the premium, plus interest and fees.

When the policy is terminated midterm by the insurance company, the earned premium is calculated only for the period coverage was provided. For example: an annual policy with premium of $1,000 is cancelled after 40 days of coverage at the company’s election. The earned premium would be calculated as follows: 40/365 days X $1,000=.110 X $1,000=$110.

Damage to another person’s property. The purpose of liability insurance is to cover property damage to a third party resulting from the negligent or intentional acts of an insured.

An estimate of the cost of insurance, based on information supplied to the insurance company by the applicant.

Facts including insurance history, loss history, credit rating, age, and demographic area that help determine a customers cost of insurance.

The cost to repair or replace an insured item. Some insurance only pays the actual cash or market value of the item at the time of the loss, not what it would cost to fix or replace it. If you have personal property replacement cost coverage, your insurance will pay the full cost to repair an item or buy a new one once the repairs or purchases have been made.

The full cost to repair or replace the damaged property with no deduction for depreciation, subject to policy limits and contract provisions.

The restoring of a lapsed policy to full force and effect. The reinstatement may be effective after the cancellation date, creating a lapse of coverage. Some companies require evidence of insurability and payment of past due premiums plus interest.

Usually known as an endorsement, a rider is an amendment to the policy used to add or delete coverage.

The amount the insurance company pays to the party that was injured by a covered loss. The payment amount can be in other forms besides money such as replacements.

When the policy is terminated prior to the expiration date at the policyholder’s request. Earned premium charged would be more than the pro-rata earned premium. Generally, the return premium would be approximately 90 percent of the pro-rata return premium. However, the company may also establish its own short-rate schedule.

A licensed employee of a fire and casualty agent or broker who may act for the agent or broker in some circumstances.

Coverage for property damage caused by untimely discharge from an automatic sprinkler system.

An extra charge applied by the insurer. For automobile insurance, a surcharge is usually for accidents or moving violations.

To terminate or cancel a life insurance policy before the maturity date. In the case of a cash value policy, the policyholder may exercise one of the nonforfeiture options at the time of surrender.

Coverage for losses if a land title is not free and clear of defects that were unknown when the title insurance was written.

The process of selecting applicants for insurance and classifying them according to their degrees of insurability so that the appropriate premium rates may be charged. The process includes rejection of unacceptable risks.

Will pay you and your passengers for BODILY INJURY cause by a negligent uninsured motorist, a hit-and-run driver, or by a driver whose insurer is insolvent.

Will pay for damages to your automobile, set up to a limit, when caused by a negligent unisured motorist.

A period of time set forth in a policy which must pass before some or all coverages begin.

Coverage typically providing four types of benefits (medical care, death, disability, and rehabilitation) for employee job-related injuries or diseases as a matter of right (without regard to fault).