Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W
Click one of the letters above to advance the page to terms beginning with that letter.
A
For a damaged property it may not be worthwhile to go in for repairs because the cost of repairers may exceed the value of the property when repaired. The insurer is entitled to take over the interest of the assured in whatever may remain of the subject matter insured and all proprietary rights incidental thereto. In ocean marine insurance, the transfer by the insured to an insurer of all rights, title, and interest in and to the insured property, in return for the sum insured. In property insurance, abandonment is relinquishing ownership of damaged property to an insurer to permit a total loss claim to be made.
Absolute Liability
Liability for damages even though fault or negligence cannot be proven.
Absolute ownership exits where the interest or explicit right of possession of the insured is so free from limitations, qualifications or restrictions that it cannot be taken from him without his consent.
Any Unforeseen and unexpected event is considered an accident. For insurance purposes it has to be due to external, physical and violent means.
Accidental Death or injury arising out of the use of a motor vehicle(s) the identity whereof cannot be ascertained inspite of reasonable efforts for the purpose.
Injury to the body as the result of an accident
A monetary compensation in addition to the face amount of a life insurance policy, payable if the insured dies as the result of an accident. Sometimes referred to as "double indemnity."
Baggage being taken by someone with his own person whilst traveling.
Percentage addition to policy benefits as a reward to the insured for continuous renewal.
The insurer's cost of putting new business in force, including the agent's commission, the cost of clerical work, fees for medical examinations and inspection reports, sales promotion expense, etc.
Any accidental act which could not have been prevented by any amount of human care and fore thought.
It is a loss where the goods are completely lost and become irrecoverable.
Duty evaluated on percentage of cargo value.
An insurance policy extended to cover additional risk perils such as strikes. Riots and Civil commotion etc. on payment of extra premium.
A person who investigates and settles losses for an insurance buyer.
B
Bailee
One who has custody of the property of another. Bailees "for hire" have certain responsibilities to care for the property of others that is in their custody.
Usually refers to Liability of insurer indicating the lowest amount for which a policy can be written. This amount is either prescribed by law or company policy.
The standard charge for a given type of risk for basic limit.
An individual designated in a will to receive an inheritance, or the individual designated to receive the proceeds of an insurance policy, retirement account, trust, or other asset.
It is the bill drawn by exporter against the importer.
Receipt for goods shipped on board a ship signed by the person who contracts to carry them, and stating the terms on which the goods are carried.
A contract of health insurance affording benefits, such as accidental death and dismemberment, for all of a class of persons not individually identified. It is used for such groups as athletic teams, campers, travel policy for employees, etc.
Physical injury, including sickness, disease, mental injury, shock or death.
The Bonus system awards discounts for claim-free driving for a certain continuous period. This goes on increasing upto a certain limit for continuous claim free years.
An insurance prospect of doubtful quality from an underwriting point of view to put it in one among two group of risks.
When a condition of the insurance contract is broken by the assured, the insurer may avoid the contract from the inception.
Middleman who represents an insured in the solicitation, negotiation or procurement of contracts of insurance, and who may render services incidental to those functions. He also represents insurer for certain purposes such as delivery of the policy or collection of the premium.
It is a theft committed by breaking into or out of the premises. Evidence of breaking in, is necessary.
The ratio of losses suffered to the amount of insurance in effect.
Business Interruption Insurance
Insurance for a business owner against losses resulting from spage of business because of fire or other insured peril. The insurance provides reimbursement for lost net profits and necessary standing expenses.
C
Cancellation
The discontinuance of an insurance policy before its normal expiration date, either by the insured or the Insurance Company.
The amount of capital with an insurance company as a whole for underwriting general insurance coverage.
It is the sum insured of a Person for which cover is sought under a Personal Accident Policy.
An agent who, by contract, represents only one company and its affiliates.
Type of insurance that protects the shipper/owner of the goods against financial loss if the goods are damaged or lost while in transit in between place of commencement and destination.
Event which causes loss of extraordinary magnitude, such as a hurricane or tornado.
To transfer to a re insurer all or part of the insurance or reinsurance risk written by a ceding company.
In calculating a reinsurance premium, an amount allowed by the reinsurer for part or all of a ceding company's acquisition and other overhead costs, including premium taxes. It may also include a profit factor. See Overriding Commission.
A document issued to a member of a group insurance plan, describing the insurance benefits and principal provisions of the policy in brief.
The amount of a risk which the insurance company reinsures: the amount passed on to the reinsurer.
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CCU)
Professional designation granted to persons in the property and liability insurance field who pass a series of rigorous examinations and meet specified eligibility requirements.
It is a notification to an insurance company that payment of an amount is due under the terms of a policy by the insured.
It is the amount payable by the insurer under a policy on a claim arising.
They are appointed by insurer in a foreign country abroad for survey/settlement of claims arising out of policy issued in the home country for Overseas mediclaim and marine insurance policies.
A group of claims with a common period of origin. The period is usually a calendar year, but may be shorter. The origin may be defined by the date of the occurrence of claim or alternatively by the date of reporting.
Claims provision, provision for outstanding claims/claims outstanding, claims reserve, total claim liability.
Sentences and paragraphs describing coverage's, exclusions, duties of an insured, and termination of coverage, and other such parts of the insurance policy.
Bill of Lading, which has been endorsed by the ship owner, as the goods described thereon do not conform to what is offered for shipment e.g., package missing, inadequately packed.
A bill of Lading is said to be clean if it has no superimposed clause expressing of any defective condition of the packaging or of goods.
A means of spreading the risk on larger insurances between two or more direct insurers.
Two or more insurers jointly covering the same risk.
A deal between persons usually to the detriment of other persons or for some improper purpose.
A rough indication of the profitability of a property and liability insurer's underwriting operations, generally computed by adding the ratio of losses incurred to premiums earned and expenses incurred to premiums written.
Insurance for businesses, professionals, and commercial establishments.
The fee paid by the insurance companies to agents and brokers for the sale of policies.
A firm that offers to transport merchandise for hire and must accept shipments from anyone who wishes to use its services. Different laws and rules govern common carriers than do. Private or contract carriers that only transport the goods of those with whom they have made agreements.
Common law comprises the body of principles and rules of action, relating to the government and security of persons and property, which derive their authority solely from usages and customs of immemorial antiquity, or from the judgments and decrees of the courts. It is outside the laws created by enactment of statutes.
A loosely used term signifying broad or extensive coverage of insurance.
Any form of insurance which is required by law. e.g. Motor third party insurance, Public Liability Act Insurance.
Deliberate suppression of material facts that would affect the validity of a policy of insurance.
Those provisions in insurance contracts that qualify the insurer's promise of indemnity or impose obligations on the insured.
A loss which is an indirect result of an accident or fire, e.g. food spoiled through breakdown of a refrigerator.
Price, token, or other matter used as an inducement for the completion of a contract, as an insurance premium.
A loss of sufficient amount to make the cost of salvaging or repairing the property equal to or greater than the value of the property when repaired.
An agreement between the insurer and one or more parties, called the insured, whereby the insurer undertakes in return for the payment of a certain consideration, called the premium, to pay to the insured a certain sum of money or to grant certain compensation on the happening of a specified event.
Legal liability assumed under contract.
A participation, as two insurance policies in the same loss.
The lack of ordinary care on the part of an insured person, which combined with the defendant's negligence and contributed the injury as a proximate cause. In some jurisdictions, contributory negligence on the part of an injured party will defeat his or her claim.
A cover note is a document issued in advance pending the issue of the policy, and is normally required if the policy cannot for some reason or other be issued straight away. Cover notes can also be issued during the course of negotiations to provide cover on a provisional basis. A cover note is not a stamped document but is honored, all the same , by all parties concerned.
The scope of protection provided under a contract of insurance; any of several risks covered by a policy.
A form of guarantee to manufacturers and wholesalers against loss resulting from default on the part of debtors.
Protection against damage to growing crops as a result of named perils.
The percentage at which the sum insured gets increased annually, without additional premium, e.g. Personal Accident Insurance, Mediclaim Insurance.
D
Days of Grace or Grace Period
Period of time after the due date of a premium during which the policy remains in force (when both coverage of risk is available and also the premium can be paid without any late fees).
An extension to the standard policy to cover the cost of making a seriously fire-damaged building safe and removing debris.
An arrangement whereby a provisional premium is paid and subsequently adjusted by an additional or return premium on receipt of a declaration from the insured giving details of values at risk.
The insurer's refusal to insure an individual after careful evaluation of the application for insurance and any other pertinent factors.
A provision whereby an insured may be required to pay part of a loss, the insurance being excess over the amount of the deductible.
A type of health insurance that covers dental care expenses.
A decrease in the value of property over a period of time due to wear and tear or obsolescence. Depreciation is used to determine the actual cash value of property at time of loss.
Inability to perform all or part of one's occupational duties because of an accident or illness: see Total Disability and Partial Disability.
If the insurance policy is taken from more than one underwriter where period of insurance, subject matter of insurance and sum insured are same, then this is called double insurance.
E
Earned Premium
Premium for which protection has been provided. When a premium is paid in advance for a policy period, the company 'earns'' a portion of that premium only as time elapses during that period.
The date upon which the policy is put in force, the inception date
Legal liability imposed on an employer making him or her responsible to pay damages to an employee injured by the employer's negligence. Generally, replaced by 'workers compensation', which pays the employee whether the employer has been negligent or not.
A written amendment affecting the declarations, insuring agreements, exclusions, or conditions of an insurance policy: a rider.
Provision for automatic increases on some defined basis in premiums and sums insured.
An expression used in fire, explosion and material damage policies only. An estimate of the monetary loss which could be sustained by insurers on a single risk as a result of a single fire or explosion considered by the underwriter to be within the realms of possibility.
A payment made where there is no legal liability
Excess (also refer Deductibles)
Agreed amount upto which no claim is paid under a policy.
A form of reinsurance whereby the reinsuring company reimburses the ceding company for the amount and only the amount of loss the ceding company suffers over and above an agreed aggregate sum in any one loss or in a number of losses arising out of any one event.
That which is expressly eliminated from the coverage of an insurance policy
The proportionate relationship of an insurer's expenses to premium expressed as a percentage.
Protection for the insured against loss or damage of his property caused by windstorm, hail, smoke, explosion, riot, riot attending a strike, civil commotion, vehicle and aircraft: this is provided in conjunction with the fire insurance policy.
F
Facultative Obligatory Treaty (Also Semi-obligatory Treaty)
A reinsurance contact under which the ceding company may cede exposures or risks of a defined class that the reinsurer must accept if ceded.
A reinsurance contract under which the ceding company has the option to cede and the reinsurer has the option to accept or decline classified risks of a specific business line. The contract merely reflects how individual facultative reinsurance shall be handled.
A form of protection which reimburses an employer for losses caused by dishonest or fraudulent, acts of employees.
Insurance of legal liability for financial loss not involving bodily injury or loss of or damage to property
A combustion accompanied by a flame or glow, which escapes its normal limits to cause damage.
Coverage for losses caused by fire and lightning, as well as the resultant damage caused by smoke and water
A policy under the terms of which protection follows moveable property, covering it wherever it may be
Overflow of water from its natural boundaries. More specifically defined by the National Flood Act of 1968 as 'a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from (1) the overflow of inland or tidal waters or (2) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source'.
Abbreviation for free-on-board, used in commerce to describe the value of goods at point of embarkation, excluding transport and insurance costs. Export values are usually expressed f.o.b. for customs and excise purposes, while imports are usually valued cost insurance and freight or charged in full.
Deductible in which the insurer has no liability if the loss is under a certain amount, but once this amount is exceeded; the entire loss is paid in full.
G
General average (in marine insurance)
A loss that must be borne partly by someone other than the owner of the goods that were lost or destroyed: for example, if it is necessary to jettison cargo to save a ship, the owners of the ship and the rest of the cargo that is saved will share in the loss of the goods that were intentionally sacrificed.
Damages awarded to an injured persons for intangible loss which cannot be measured directly by rupees. Popularly known as "pain and suffering." General damages are distringuished from special damages which are awarded from actual economic loss, such asmedical costs, loss of income, etc.
The period of time following the due date of a policy premium during which the payment of the premium will continue the policy and during which the policy is in full force and effect
A reduced commission justified by the size of the premium
Intentional failure to perform a duty, reckless disregard of the consequences as affecting the life or property of another
The premium paid by the policyholder.
The figure calculated by adding turnover to closing stock and work in progress and subtracting from this amount the sum of the opening stock and work in progress and the variables selected by the insured (usually defined as specified working expenses).
Any insurance plan under which a number of employees and their dependants are insured under a single policy, issued to their employer, with individual certificates given to each insured employee; the most commonly written lines are life and accident and health
H
Hail Insurance
Form of insurance that protects against loss of crops from hail
A condition that creates or increases the probability of a loss
A generic term applying to all types of insurance indemnifying or reimbursing for losses caused by bodily accident or sickness or for expenses of medical treatment necessitated by sickness or accidental bodily injury.
When the theft is committed entering into or out of the premises stealthily
A package of insurance providing homeowners with a broad range of property and liability coverages
Hull insurance (in ocean marine and aviation insurance)
Coverage for physical damage to a vessel or aircraft
The general care, cleanliness and maintenance of an insured property
A tropical storm marked by extremely low barometric pressure and circular winds with a velocity of 120 miles an hour or more.
I
IBNR (Incurred but not Reported) provision
Provision for claims incurred but not reported by the balance-sheet date. That is, it is anticipated that there would be a number of policies that have, but for the advice of the claim to the insurer, occurred and therefore are likely to result in a liability on the insurer.
The magnitude of this provision can be expected to reduce as the time since the insurance risk on the contract expired extends. The magnitude is also likely to vary depending on the type of insurance risk covered by any particular class of insurance contract.
It is a contract, which is contrary to law and against the interests of public. It can not be sustained and does not have legal effect.
Case in which responsibility for damage can be transferred from the negligent party to another person, such as an employer
Incurred claims equal the claims paid during the policy year plus the claim reserves as of the end of the policy year, minus the corresponding reserves as of the beginning of the policy year. The difference between the year end and beginning of the year claim reserves is called the increase in reserves and may be added directly to the paid claims to produce the incurred claims.
The percentage of losses incurred to premiums earned.
Compensation to the victim of a loss, in whole or in part, by payment, repair, or replacement
Legal principle that specifies an insured should not collect more than the actual cash value of a loss but should be restored to approximately the same financial position as existed before the loss.
The period, beginning with the date of the damage, during which the turnover of the business is affected by the damage. It lasts until the turnover recovers and reaches the point at which it would have been had the loss not occurred, or the expiry of the maximum indemnity period -the number of months selected by the insured -whichever occurs first.
Of a general legal principle related to insurance which holds that the individual recovering under an insurance policy should be restored to the approximate financial position he or she was in prior to the loss.
One who adjusts losses on behalf of companies but is not employed by any one. He or she is paid by fee for each loss adjusted.
Loss resulting from a peril, but not caused directly and immediately thereby. For example: Loss of property due to fire is a direct loss, while the loss of rental income as the result of the fire would be an indirect loss.
A characteristic depreciation such as the fading of ink, a cracking of parchment, the graying of hair
An interest which might be damaged if the peril insured against occurs: the possibility of a financial loss to an individual which can be protected against through insurance.
An economic device whereby the individual substitutes a small certain cost (the premium) for a large uncertain financial loss (the contingency insured against) which would exist if it were not for the insurance contract: an economic device for reducing and eliminating risk through the process of combining a sufficient number of homogeneous exposures into a group in order to make the losses predictable for the group as a whole.
1. An organization chartered to operate as an insurer.
2. Any corporation primarily engaged in the business of furnishing insurance protection to the public
Any corporate body or individual which is operating as an insurer, reinsurer or insurance intermediary and which is subject to insurance regulation
Legal document issued to the insured setting out the terms of the contract of insurance.
An insurance product is defined as a product that is provided by an insurance company.
The person to whom or on whose behalf benefits are payable under the policy
A licensed legal entity, which underwrites insurance, including a mutual insurance company (but note the exemption of pure reinsurers)
Any person who, or organisation which, gives advice by way of directly offering, advertising or on a person-to-person basis in respect of an insurance product and includes the promotion of such a product or the facilitation of an agreement or contract between an insurer and a customer. Intermediaries are generally divided into separate classes. The most common types are 'independent intermediaries' who represent the buyer in dealings with the insurer (also known as independent brokers) and 'agents' (which generally include multiple agents and sub-agents) who represent the insurer.
Beneficiary designation allowing no change to be made in the beneficiary of an insurance policy without the consent of the named beneficiary
J
Jettison
Act of throwing overboard part of a vessel's cargo or hull in hopes of saving a ship from sinking.
An all risk insurance contract that provides jewelers with coverage to losses, which they would be exposed.
A legal principle that permits the injured party in a tort action to recover the entire amount of compensation due for injuries from any tort feasor who is able to pay, regardless of the degree of that party's negligence
K
Key-Person Insurance
Insurance designed to protect a business firm against the loss of income resulting from the death or disability of a key employee.
L
Lapse
Termination of a policy due to failure by the insured to pay the premium as required
The unlawful taking, carrying, leading or riding away of another person's property
While it is impossible to prdict either the time or the loss amount of adverse events in relation to individuals, the averages for a sufficiently large set (of insureds) exhibit certain patterns of loss frequency and loss extent
The costs of defending a claim from a third party and claimant's costs for which an insured is liable, are usually covered by a liability policy.
Any liability imposed on a person by a court of law
The person to whom a lease is granted, commonly called the tenant.
The person granting a lease, also known as the landlord
Within the context of reinsurance, a banking instrument established on a 'standby' basis to secure recoverables from non-admitted reinsurers to enable the ceding company to reduce the provision for unauthorized reinsurance in its statutory statement
Any legally enforceable obligation
Insurance covering the policyholder's legal liability resulting from injuries to other persons or damage to their property. Liability Insurance. Provides protection for the insured against loss arising out of legal liability to third parties
The incorporation of a company in the jurisdiction or the approval given to a company to underwrite insurance in the jurisdiction. These are recognized to be separate approvals and may be made in separate jurisdictions
One line is equal to the ceding company 's retention. A proportional treaty may have a total capacity expressed as x lines and a reinsurer's share may be y lines
The general classification of business as utilized in the insurance industry, i.e., fire, allied lines, homeowners, etc.
A voluntary unincorporated association of individuals organized for the purpose of writing insurance; normally refers to Lloyd's of London, a group of individual underwriters and syndicates that underwrite insurance risks severally, using facilities maintained by the Lloyd's of London Corporation
To add charges to an insurance premium
An independent professional appointed by the insurers to settle claims
A synonym for business interruption insurance
The proportionate relationship of incurred losses to earned premiums expressed as a percentage.
M
Manual
A book of rates, rules, and coverages usually available for each kind of insurance
The total assets of an insurance company must exceed its liabilities (other than share capital) by a relevant amount, known as the margin of solvency
Pertaining to the sea or to transportation: usually divided as to 'ocean marine' and 'inland marine'; the insurance covering transportation risks
A form of insurance primarily concerned with means of transportation and communication, and with goods in transit
The price for which something would sell, especially the value of certain types of assets, such as stocks and bonds. It is based on what they would sell for under current market conditions. For example, common stock market value would be the price of the stock as of a specified date
The policy covering damage to property (usually a commercial fire policy) as the result of which damage a business interruption claim may result. It is a condition of business interruption insurance that a material damage policy must be and remain in force
Information about the subject of insurance that if known would change the underwriting basis of the insurance, and which would cause the insurer to refuse the application or charge a higher rate
Act of making, issuing, circulating or causing to be issued or circulated an estimate, an illustration, a circular or a statement of any kind that does not represent the correct policy terms, dividends or share of surplus or the name or title for any policy or class of policies that does not in fact reflect its true nature.
Moral Hazard refers to increase in probability of loss that results from dishonesty in the character of the insured person. Thus it is the dishonest tendencies on the part of the insured person that may induce that person to attempt to defraud the insurance company
An attitude that increases the probability of loss from a peril. The attitude of, "It's insured; so why worry?" is an example of a morale hazard
A deposit or conditional transfer to secure the performance of some act: the person who makes the transfer is called the 'mortgagor', the other party, the 'mortgagee'; sometimes an intermediary called a 'trustee' is appointed
A borrower who takes out a mortgage
The largest loss thought probable under a given insurance policy. Normally applied to material damage risks where the total sum insured is not considered to be at risk from one loss event
A package policy which provides protection against a number of separate perils. Multi-peril policies are not necessarily multiple line policies, since the combined perils may be all within one insurance line
N
Named Perils Policy
Coverage in a property policy that provides protection against loss from only the perils specifically listed in the policy rather than protection from physical loss. Examples of named perils are fire, windstorm, theft, smoke, etc.
Failure to use that care which a reasonable and prudent person would have used under the same or similar circumstance. Negligence may be constituted by acts of either omission or commission or both.
A portion of the premium rate designed to cover benefits of the policy, but not expenses, contingencies, or profit
Net premiums written adjusted for the increase or decrease during the year of the liability for unearned premiums
This item represents gross premiums written (direct and reinsurance assumed) less reinsurance ceded
The final amount of insurance retained by the company after reinsuring such amounts as it did not wish to retain
A reduction in the price of an insurance policy because no claims have been made on it
A type of insurance mechanism whereby the right to sue another party for damages caused by negligence is limited and, in exchange, expanded first party benefits are offered. Mainly used in Vehicles insurance Policy.
Nominee is the person who is nominated to receive the amount under a policy and to give a valid discharge to the insurer on settlement of claim under a life insurance policy
O
Obligatory Treaty
A reinsurance contract under which business must be ceded in accordance with contract terms and must be accepted by the reinsurer
Occupations which expose the insured to greater than normal physical danger by the very nature of the work in which the insured is engaged, and the varying periods of absence from the occupation, due to the disability, that can be expected
An authority established either by the company or the Government for the quick redressal of grievances
Gives to insured automatic insurance protection so that there is no risk of any shipments remaining uninsured through oversight
A continuous policy written on a reporting basis
Defines the class and nature of business covered by a specific reinsurance treaty
P
Package Policy
A combination of two or more individual polices into a single policy. A householders policy, for example, is a package policy.
The result of an illness or injury which prevents an insurd from performing on or more of the functions of his/her regular job
A term meaning an accidental and usually a partial loss suffered by one interest and not chargeable against others
The event insured against; the cause of possible loss
In law, a term used to embrace a broad range of torts that includes bodily injury, libel, slander, discrimination and similar offences. Also a standard insurance coverage that protects against a more limited group of torts (false arrest, detention or imprisonment, malicious prosecution, wrongful entry or eviction, and libel, slander, or defamation)
Damage to or loss of an automobile resulting from a named peril
A condition of the subject of insurance which creates or increases the chance of loss, such as structural defects, occupancy, or similar conditions
Petty theft, especially theft of articles in less than package lots.
The legal document issued by the company to the policyholder, which outlines the conditions and terms of the insurance; also called the policy contract for the contract
The term for which insurance remains in force, sometimes definite, sometimes not
The period for which an insurance policy provides coverage
The person (or persons) whose risk of financial loss from an insured peril is protected by the policy.
A person who pays a premium to an insurance company in exchange for the insurance protection provided by a policy of insurance
Monies set aside by insurers to cover outstanding liabilities to Policyholders. Also known as technical reserves
Amount over and above liabilities available for an insurer to meet future obligations to its policyholders
A risk sharing mechanism in which the members of a group agree to be collectively responsible for losses
The sum paid by a policyholder to keep an insurance policy in force. It is the amount paid to secure an insurance policy
Notice of a premium due, sent out by the company or one of its agencies to an insured. Synonym for " Renewal Notice".
The applicant for, or subject of, insurance; the one from whom an agent derives his or her authority
Cancellation with a return of premium charged for the period of time the policy was in force equal to the ratio of the total premium to the total policy period
Protection against financial loss arising out of the legal liability incurred by a manufacturer, merchant, or distributor because of injury or damage resulting from the use of a covered product
It is a cover granted to professionals like Doctors covering their legal liability for any claims arising out of professional misconduct
Insurance providing financial protection against the loss of, or damage to, real and personal property caused by such perils as fire, theft, windstorm, hail, explosion, riot, aircraft, motor vehicles, vandalism, malicious mischief, riot and civil commotion, and smoke
A person interested in taking out insurance has to make an offer by means of a proposal. This is an application for the cover required, or for obtaining quotations of the premium chargeable
It is a form which is to be completed for securing an insurance policy
Proposer is a person who proposes the insurance policy
A form, which is often part of the proposal form, giving details of the cover available with particulars of extra benefits and rebates
Protection and Indemnity (P & I) Insurance
Liability insurance coverage in an ocean marine policy
Amount set aside on the balance sheet in addition to unearned premiums with respect to risks to be borne by the insurance undertaking after the end of the financial year, in order to pro-vide for all claims and expenses in connection with insurance contracts in force in excess of the related unearned premiums and any premiums receivable on those contracts
The terms or conditions of an insurance policy
The dominating cause of loss or damage; an unbroken chain of events between the occurrence and damage
Public Liability/Third Party Liability
The insured's liability at law (excluding liability to an employee arising out of employer/employee relationship) to pay compensation for death, injury or illness sustained by any person or damage to property caused by explosion or collapse of boiler and pressure plant or use of lilting and handling plant
Damages awarded separately and in addition to the compensatory damages, usually on account of malicious or wanton misconduct, to serve as a punishment for the wrongdoer and possibly as a deterrent to others
A condition in which there is the possibility of loss or no loss only
Q
Quota Share Reinsurance
It is an automatic reinsurance, whereby the ceding company is bound to cede a fixed percentage of every risk written by it irrespective of the size or quality of the risk.
An estimate of the cost of insurance, based on information supplied to the insurance company by the applicant.
R
Rate
The pricing factor upon which the insurance buyer's premium is based
A provision in some health insurance policies, which specifies an period of time during which the recurrence of a condition is considered a continuation of a prior period of disability or hospital confinement
The payment of the expenses actually incurred as a result of a accident or sickness, but not to exceed any amount specified in the policy
The restoration of a lapsed policy
Insurance placed by an underwriter in another company to cut down the amount of the risk assumed under the original insurance
Continuance of coverage under a policy beyond its original term by the insurer's acceptance of the premium for a new policy term
The notice sent to the policyholder to remind him that an insurance is due for renewal by insurers
The written evidence that a renewal premium has been paid
(Under Overseas Mediclaim Policy) Expenses incurred to travel back to home country following sickness abroad
The cost to repair or replace property at construction costs prevailing at time of loss; the cost to repair or rebuild property without any depreciation
Statements made by an applicant in the application that he represents as being substantially true to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, but which are not warranted as exact in every detail
Termination of an insurance contract by the insurer on the grounds of material misstatement on the application for insurance
Liability set up for particular purposes
An early form of marine insurance on cargo; similar to bottomry, the equivalent on hulls
Reinstatement, as the amount of coverage after a loss
The act of retaining an exposure to loss: also that part of the exposure that is retained
The amount of risk that a reinsurance company reinsures; the amount of a cession which the reinsurer passes on
The first date for which claims will be paid under a claims-made policy of liability insurance
An amount due the insured upon cancellation of a policy
A beneficiary designation that may be changed by the policyowner without the consent of the existing beneficiary
Usually known as an endorsement, a rider is an amendment to the policy used to add or delete coverage
It can be a potential source of loss or the subject matter of insurance itself
A scientific approach to the problem of dealing with the pure risks facing an individual or an organization in which insurance is viewed as simply one of several approaches for dealing with such risks
The unlawful taking of property by violence or threat of violence
Additional coverage, which can be added to, an Ocean Marine Hull policy to provide protection for damage to another ship caused by collision
S
Salvage
Recovery made by an insurance company by the sale of property which has been taken over from that insured as a part of loss settlement. The remains of damaged vehicle or any other property
A list of coverages or amounts concerning things or persons insured
A form of risk financing through which a firm assumes all or a part of its own losses
A policy benefit of claim payment
Percentage of annual premiums charged for short period policies
Cancellation with a less than proportionate return of premium: also known as Pro Rata Cancellation.
Compulsory insurance, in which the benefits are prescribed by law and in which the primary emphasis is on social adequacy rather than equity
Surplus of assets over liabilities
Amount awarded in litigation to compensate for specific identifiable economic loss
A condition in which there is a possibility of loss or gain
Insurance against loss from accidental leakage or discharge from a sprinkler system due to some cause other than a hostile fire or certain other specified causes
Expenses which still have to be met even if a business cannot earn its full income owing to fire or other damage. These expenses do not diminish proportionately as a result of the damage
Plant inspections which are required by law to be carried out at stipulated intervals by a competent person who must also prepare a report in a prescribed form detailing the condition of the plant
Liability for damages even though fault or negligence cannot be proven
It is defined as the transfer of rights and remedies of the insured to insurers who have indemnified the insured in respect of the loss
Occurs when the ground under a building moves downwards, often as a result of drying out too much
The limit of liability of the insurers under a policy
An agreement providing for monetary compensation should there be a failure to perform certain specified acts within a stated period: the surety company, for example, becomes responsible for fulfillment of a contract if the contractor defaults
An amount by which the value of an insurer's assets exceeds their liabilities
Surrender value is the amount payable to the policy holder on his surrendering his right under a policy and terminating the contract of insurance
Property belonging to the insured or in his custody or control except for the plant causing the damage or property being lifted
The company official who inspects property proposed and makes recommendations as to rating and loss reduction
T
Tail coverage
An extended reporting period extension under claims-made liability policies that provides coverage for losses that are reported after termination of the policy
Amount set aside on the balance sheet to meet liabilities arising out of insurance contracts, including claims provision (whether reported or not), provision for unearned premiums, provision for unexpired risks
Cover for damage to rented buildings
The unlawful taking of property of another: the term includes such crimes as burglary, larceny and robbery.
Someone other than the insured and insurance company
A demand made by a person against a policyholder and any payment that will be made by that company
Liability incurred by the insured to another party but excluding contractual liability
A whirling wind over land, accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud. It is usually very violent and destructive in a narrow path, often for many miles
A civil wrong, other than a breach of contract, for which a court of law will afford legal relied
An illness or injury which prevents an insured person from continuously performing every duty pertaining to his/her occupation or engaging in any other type of work
The complete loss or destruction of all the property insured under a particular policy
A reinsurance contract under which the reinsured company agrees to cede and the reinsurer agrees to assume risks of a particular class or classes of business
The money earned for goods supplied or services rendered in the course of the business at the premises specified in the policy
U
Uberrimae Fidei
Means "Utmost Good Faith'. The basis of all insurance contracts - both parties to the contract are bound to exercise good faith and do so by a full disclosure of all information material to the proposed contract.
Insures losses in excess of amounts covered by other liability insurance policies; also protects the insured in many situations not covered by the usual liability policies
The situation where the Sum Insured is less than the total value of property at risk.
The company receiving premiums and accepting to cover the risk. Also, the person employed by the company who decides whether the company should accept a particular proposal for insurance or application for revival
The process of selecting risks for insurance and determining in what amounts and on what terms the insurance company will accept the risk.
The amount of money, which an insurance company gains or loses as a result of its insurance operations
That portion of the original premium for which protection has not yet been provided because the policy still has some time to run before expiration.
This is one, which lacks some evidential features. The contract is a valid one otherwise, but could not be enforced in a court of law
Risks not acceptable for insurance due to excessive risk
A duty imposed on both parties to an insurance contract. The legal duty implies full disclosure of all facts material to the contract during negotiations of the contract
V
Valuation
Estimation of the value of an item, usually by appraisal
An insurance contract in which the value of the thing insured and the amount to be paid in case of total loss is settled at the time of making the policy
In law, liability arising out of imputed negligence
Of no force or effect: null
A contract obtained by fraud is a void contract
A contract, which is valid until it is treated as void by the aggrieved party, is a voidable contract
W
Warranty
A statement concerning the condition of the item to be insured which is made for the purpose of permitting the underwriter to evaluate the risk; if found to be false, it provides the basis for voidance of the policy
Weekly benefits (for Personal Accident Insurance)
They are paid for the period of temporary total disablement following an injury which is admissible under the policy
A system of providing for the cost of medical care and weekly payments to injured employees or to dependants of those killed in the course of or arising out of their employment in industry in which Absolute Liability is imposed on the employer, requiring him or her to pay benefits prescribed by law
The premiums on all policies which a company has issued in some period of time.
