Austin Insurance Deck Flashcards
Pure Risk vs Speculative Risk
Pure Risk:
Chance of Loss or No Loss (NEVER PROFIT)
Pure Risks are the only insurable risks
Speculative Risks:
Chance of Loss; No Loss; OR PROFIT
Generally undertaken by Entreprenuers
Generally NOT insurable and completely voluntary
Static Risks:
Involve risks brought about by irregular action of nature or by dishonest misdeeds and mistakes of man
Dynamic Risks:
in which the core of risk resides in the change in the environment caused by the changing human condition
Subjective vs Objective Risk
Subjective:
Risk Assessment differs based on an individual’s perception of risk
Objective Risk:
Risk does not depend on perception as it is measurable and quantifiable
Law of Large Numbers
- Specifies that when more units are exposed to a similar loss, that the predictability of such loss to the entire pool will increase
- more exposure = more likely to get an accurate estimate of actual cost
- Helps to reduce objective risks
Adverse Selection
- Tendency of someone with a higher than average risk to purchase or renew insurance policies
- Premiums paid are a balance of favorable and unfavorable applicants (risks)
- Managed through underwriting; denying insurance (front end); and Raising Premiums (back end)
- UNDERWRITER is responsible for managing adverse selection
Elements of a Valid Contract
- One party must make an offer and the other party must accept the offer
- Both parties must be legally competent AND be 18 or older (if not; minor can void contract)
- Legal Consideration: Promise to pay
- Contract must pertain to a lawful purpose
3 Legal Principles of Insurance Contracts
1. Principle of Indemnity:
* an insured is only entitled to compensation to the extent of financial loss
* Cant make a profit from an insurance contract
2. Subrogation Clause:
* Insured CANT receive compensation from both insurer and 3rd party
3. Insurable Interest:
* Insured must have an emotional or financial hardship resulting from the loss
* Property/ Liability Insurance: Must exist at INCEPTION AND TIME OF LOSS
* Life Insurance: Mus exist at INCEPTION ONLY
Adhesion vs Aleatory
Adhesion:
* Life Insurance is “take it or leave it”
* No negotiations
* ANY ambiguities in a contract will go in favor of insured
Aleatory:
* Money exchanged between insured and insurer may be UNEQUAL (like in term)
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Provides a watch list of insurance companies based upon financial ratio analysis
* Measures financial health of insurance companies
NAIC ha NO regulatory authority over insurance industry BUT is involved in accrediting state insurance regulatory offices
Types of Insurance
1. Term Life Insurance
* Pure insurance protection that pays a predetermined sum if insured dies in a period of time
* Use it or Lose it insurance
* no cash value; investing; or savings component
2. Whole Life/ Permanent Life Insurance
* Whole life policies provide lifetime protection if premiums are paid as agreed.
* Whole life policies have a savings or investment component with earnings accruing
* Whole life policies provide tax deferred growth of cash value.
* Whole life provides permanent protection until age 100-120.
3. Variable Life:
* The cash value is invested in stock, bond, and money market mutual funds. An opportunity for higher returns on cash value exists with variable life.
* The death benefit and cash value fluctuate based on investment performance.
4. Universal Life:
* The insured may adjust: Premiums paid, face value of the policy, and cash value (adjustable death benefit + Premiums)
* The insured does not direct the investment portion of the cash value.
* Cash value can be used to actually pay the policy premiums. Cash value grows tax deferred
5. Variable Universal Life:
* A product with investment options such as stock, bond, and money market mutual funds.
* There is no minimum guaranteed rate of return or interest.
* The cash value is invested in a separate account, not the insurer’s general account. Policy Owner chooses the investments
* The cash value is not guaranteed but in the event of an insurance company failure, the separate account will not be treated as an asset of the insurance company.
Universal Life Insurance Type A and Type B
Universal Life - A:
* A flexible premium, adjustable death benefit, unbundled life insurance contract.
* provides level death benefit
* beneficiary receives the cash value OR the death benefit
Universal Life - B
* Same as Universal A except that death benefits vary directly with the cash values. Death Benefit CAN INCREASE with investment
* Universal B is more expensive than Universal A because the death benefit is equal to a specified amount of insurance plus the cash value.
* Beneficiary receives cash value AND death Benefit
Defense of Negligence
Assumption of Risk.
* A person cannot sue a ski resort if injured while skiing because the skier assumed the risk associated with skiing.
Negligence on the part of the injured party.
* The negligent act of the injured party caused the injury.
Contributory.
* A person’s negligent actions contributed to the loss.
* This is a very severe defense and the injured party cannot recover.
Comparative.
* A person’s negligent actions contributed to the loss but they can recover a portion of the loss from the other negligent party.
Last Clear Chance Rule.
* The plaintiff can collect even if there was contributory negligence on the plaintiff’s part if the plaintiff can prove the defendant had a last clear chance to avoid the accident.
Res Ipsa Loquitur
- The act speaks for itself.
- If an accident occurred, then there was negligence.
* For example, if there is an airplane crash, the act speaks for itself and negligence occurred.
Vicarious Liability
A person is responsible for the acts of others.
* For example: A bartender serving alcohol to a customer who later causes an accident or a parent is responsible for acts of their children.
Parts of a Personal Auto Policy
Part A: Liability Coverage
1. Bodily Damage per Person
2. Bodily Damage per Occurance
3. Property Damage per Occurance
* Covered persons include you, any family member, any person using your car with your permission
Part B: Medical Payments.
* Covered persons include you or any family member while occupying the auto, you or any family member as a pedestrian struck by an auto, any other person while occupying your covered auto.
Part C: Uninsured Motorists.
* Pays what an “under-insured” or uninsured driver should have paid IF THEIR FAULT
Part D: Coverage for Damage to Your Auto.
* Provides direct damage coverage on your covered auto and any non-owned auto (rental or borrowed car)
* Can be Collision OR Comprehensive “Other than Collision”
Part E: Duties After an Accident or Loss.
Part F: General Provisions.
* Insurance coverage ONLY applies in U.S; Canada; Puerto Rico NOT MEXICO
* An insured must notify their insurer about a new car purchase within 30* days of buying the new car.
Additional Notes:
1. Car Insurance DOES NOT APPLY if used for a business trip
Who is eligible for survivorship benefits under social security?
When Decedent is FULLY insured (40 quaters):
1. Children under 18 are always covered (19 or under if CURRENTLY in highschool)
2. Spouse if Caretaker of children under 16
3. Spouse age 60 or older if worker is fully insured
4. Dependent parents age 62 or older if worker is fully insured.
5. Ex spouse if they were married for over 10 years AND SHE IS AGE 60 OR OLDER (taking care of kids does not matter)
When Decedent is Currently Insured
1. Spousal benefit ONLY if caring fro a child under age 16
2. Benefits to a child under 18 (19 if in highschool/ secondary)
Parts of Medicare
- Part A: Basic Hospital Insurance
- Part B: Dr. Insurance (Supplementary Medical Insurance)
- Part C (Medicare Advantage): Private Insurance that is an alternative to traditional Medicare
- Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
General:
1. Methods to cover past 100th day of Hospital: Medicaid; LTC; Individual Savings
2. DOES NOT provide health care coverages for services received outside of the U.S.
3. Medicare is an 80/20 split with NO STOP LOSS LIMITS
4. Disability is defined as ANY OCCUPATION
5. Lump Sum Death Benefit: $255 (Paid as long as Fully OR Currently insured)
7. Skilled Nursing is the HIGHEST level of care
8. When you are employed, Medicare provides SECONDARY health coverage, employer provides primary