1: Fundamental Principles of Insurance Flashcards

1
Q

Definition: Financial risk

A

A risk which has financial measurement, making it insurable.

Most general insurance is compensatory meaning value placed on a loss is not determined in advance, but you can also have pre-agreed benefit policies for accident or sickness coverage.

Financial vs non-financial risks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Definition: Hazard

A

Something which influences the operation or effect of a peril.

Can be physical or moral.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Definition: Particular risks

A

Localised or personal in their cause and effect.

Particular vs fundamental risks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Definition: Risk

A

No universally recognised definition or risk.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Definition: Uncertainty

A

Doubt about the future as a result of incomplete ability to predict what is going to happen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Definition: Fortuitous event

A

An event which is accidental or unexpected and not inevitable - and certainly not deliberate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Definition: Homogeneous exposures

A

Similar risks. A large number of homogenous exposures makes a forecast easier to predict.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Definition: Peril

A

Something that gives rise to a loss (explosion, flood)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Definition: Risk transfer

A

The acceptance of an unknown future potential risk by an insurer for an agreed premium.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Definition: Frequency

A

How often a risk will happen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Definition: Insurable interest

A

The legally recognised financial relationship between the insured and the liability that is being insured.

e.g having responsibility for someone else’s goods stored at your facility, or maintaining pavements where you have legal liability in case anyone falls.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Definition: Pooling of risk

A

An insurer gathers a larger number of premiums from different people to ensure there any losses (+ operational costs and profit can be met).

Premium paid by the insured is proportionate to the risk they introduce through discrimination factors to ensure a fair premium is charged.

The law of large numbers helps to predict accurate costs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Definition: Severity

A

How serious a risk will be if it does happen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Definition: Fundamental risks

A

A risk which occurs on such a vast scale that it is uninsurable.

Particular vs fundamental risks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Definition: Non-financial risks

A

A risk which cannot be measured in financial terms (such as the sentimental value of an heirloom).

Financial vs non-financial risks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Definition: Pure risks

A

Risks where there is only a possibility of a loss, or to break even - and no possibility of a gain.

Pure vs speculative risks.

17
Q

Definition: Speculative risks

A

Risks where there is possibility of a gain, meaning they are uninsurable.

Pure vs speculative risks.

18
Q

What is the function of risk management?

A

The identification, analysis and economic control of risks which can threaten the asset or earning capacity of an enterprise.

Identification -> analysis -> control

19
Q

What defines the level of a risk?

A

Frequency and severity

20
Q

What are the categories of risk?

A

Financial and non-financial risks
Pure and speculative risks
Particular and fundamental risks

A risk must be financial, pure and particular

21
Q

Features of insurable risks

A

Financial risk
Pure risk
Particular risk

Fortuitous event
Insurable interest
Not against public policy

22
Q

Reasons for buying insurance

A

Attitude to potential risks
Price the insured is prepared to pay
Level of choice

23
Q

Primary functions of insurance

A

Spreading the risk
Providing a degree of certainty
Transferring risk

24
Q

Secondary functions of insurance

A

Companies do not need financial ‘safety nets’
Companies can be confident to expand
Jobs are protected
Insurers are largely investors of funds, benefitting economy
Losses are reduced in size and number

25
Q

What are the types of compulsory insurance

A

Employers liability - compensate injury or disease
Motor insurance
Riding establishments
Dangerous animals
Professional indemnity

26
Q

Claims handling

A

Given it is a service industry, the claims handling process is hugely important