Glossary

Actual Cash Value

An amount equivalent to the fair market value of the stolen or damaged property immediately preceding the loss. For real property, this amount can be based on a determination of the fair market value of the property before and after the loss. For vehicles, this amount can be determined by local area private party sales and dealer quotations for comparable vehicles.

Agent

A licensed person or organization authorized to sell insurance by or on behalf of an insurance company.

Binder

A temporary or preliminary agreement which provides coverage until a policy can be written or delivered.

Broker

A licensed person or organization paid by you to look for insurance on your behalf.

Cancellation

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.

Claim

Notice to an insurer that under the terms of a policy, a loss maybe covered.

Claimant

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

Decline

The company refuses to accept the request for insurance coverage.

Deductible

The amount of the loss which the insured is responsible to pay before benefits from the insurance company are payable. You may choose a higher deductible to lower your premium.

Disability Insurance

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

Endorsement

Amendment to the policy used to add or delete coverage. Also referred to as a "rider."

Exclusion

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

Expiration Date

The date on which the policy ends.

Face Amount

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.

Grace Period

A specified period immediately following the premium due date during which a payment can be made to continue a policy in force without interruption. This applies only to Life and Health policies. Check your policy to be sure that a grace period is offered and how many days, if any, are allowed.

Guaranteed Insurability

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.

Health Insurance

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.

Insured

The policyholder - the person(s) protected in case of a loss or claim.

Insurer

The insurance company.

Life Insurance

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

Limit

Maximum amount a policy will pay either overall or under a particular coverage.

Loan Value

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.

Material Misrepresentation

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.

Misquote

An incorrect estimate of the insurance premium.

Peril

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

Policy

The written contract of insurance.

Policy Limit

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

Premium

The amount of money an insurance company charges for insurance coverage.

Pro-Rata Cancellation

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 canceled 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.

Quote

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

Reinstatement

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.

Rider

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

Short-Rate Cancellation

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.

Solicitor

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

Surcharge

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

Surrender

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 non-forfeiture options at the time of surrender.

Underwriting

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.

Waiting Period

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