Chapter 7 - Indemnity Flashcards
A - Definition of Indemnity
- What is the definition of indemnity?
Financial compensation sufficient to place the insured in the same financial position after a loss as they enjoyed immediately before the loss occurred.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A1 Benefit Policies
- Are policies that provide fixed benefits policies of indemnity?
No.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A1 Benefit Policies
- What do benefit policies mainly cover?
Accident & Sickness.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A1 Benefit Policies
- With a benefit policy, what will be paid in the event of a claim?
A defined amount or benefit.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A1 Benefit Policies
- Give examples of benefit policies.
Personal accident
Sickness
Payment protection indemnity
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2 Options available to Insurers
- What are the indemnity options available for property insurance?
Cash payment
Repair
Replacement
Reinstatement
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2 Options available to Insurers
- The indemnity options available for property insurance are only available…if?
Stated in the policy.
If they are not, the insured has a legal right to financial compensation.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2A Cash Payment
- What is the most common form of indemnity, particularly with commercial insurances?
Cash Payment.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2A Cash Payment
- Since the 1990s, how has indemnity for personal insurance policies changed?
Seen a growing trend of replacement through nominates retail chain stores or via the insurers own supply chains.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2A Cash Payment
- What is required of insurers if the insured does not agree to accept replacement as the form of indemnity?
Cash settlement, however the insurer will only be required to pay to the insured the amount they would have paid the retailer.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2A Cash Payment
- If replacement is the form of indemnity, is the insured allowed to choose where the replacement is purchased? What happens if an acceptable replacement cannot be found?
According to the Financial Ombudsman service, yes.
The insured is entitled to a full cash settlement.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2B Repair
- Why might an insurer opt to repair damage to an insured item, rather than replace?
Chance of lower cost
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2B Repair
- What is the most common type of insurance that uses repair as the form of indemnity?
Motor insurance.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2C Replacement
- What is the common example of replacement as a means of providing indemnity?
Glass insurance.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2C Replacement
- Why might replacement be chosen as the means of providing indemnity? Provide an example.
Quick replacement means further losses are minimized. e.g. when shop front windows are smashed.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2C Replacement
- Name some other situations where insurers might use replacement?
Vehicle write-offs where the vehicle is less than a year old.
Items relating to jewelry if the insurer can obtain a significant discount from a jeweler.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2C Replacement
- What are the benefits of using replacement?
Discounts reduce cost to the insurer
Replacement reduces fraudulent claims, as fraudsters typically want cash
Customer experience is improved by using quality retailers
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2D Reinstatement
- What does reinstatement do?
The insurer agrees to restore a building (or piece of machinery) that has been damaged by an insured peril.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2D Reinstatement
- What is the difference between replacement and reinstatement?
Reinstatement only applies to building and is concerned with bringing the property back to its pre-loss condition.
To do this insurers effectively occupy the premises to reinstate. Replacement does not carry with it the “occupation” aspect.
A - Definition of Indemnity
A2D Reinstatement
- Why don’t insurers like reinstatement?
Because of the uncertainty of cost.
B - Application of Indemnity
- Why are property policies and liability policies contracts of indemnity?
Because a value can be placed on the subject-matter insured.
B - Application of Indemnity
- Does the principle of indemnity apply to pecuniary insurances, such as business interruption?
Yes.
B - Application of Indemnity
- Why are life and personal accident policies not contracts of indemnity?
The insured cannot be restored to the same financial position after a loss.
B - Application of Indemnity
B1 Property Insurance
- What is the measure of indemnity where equipment is completely destroyed?
The replacement cost less an allowance for wear and tear.
B - Application of Indemnity
B1 Property Insurance
- What is the measure of indemnity in the case of partial damage to property?
The repair cost less an allowance for wear and tear.
B - Application of Indemnity
B2 Liability Insurance
- What does a liability policy provide in respect of indemnity to the insured?
Their legal liability to pay damages and claimant’s costs.
B - Application of Indemnity
B2 Liability Insurance
- Does a liability insurance policy define the financial value of the indemnity?
No, it is often left to the courts to decide.
B - Application of Indemnity
B2 Liability Insurance
- Do liability insurance policies have a limit to how much they will pay?
Yes, always. This will be stated in the policy.
C - Measuring Indemnity
- In property insurance, what is the value of the subject matter?
Its value at the time and place of loss.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C1 Marine Insurance
- What are the two types of marine insurance policy?
Valued policy
Unvalued policy
C - Measuring Indemnity
C1 Marine Insurance
- What is a Marine valued policy?
Same as an agreed value policy, the insurable value is agreed between the insured and the insurer.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C1 Marine Insurance
- What is the value in a Marine unvalued policy?
The insured value must be calculated using the formula in the marine insurance act.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C1 Marine Insurance
- What do Marine valued and unvalued policies have in common?
An identifiable insurable value,
effective from the start,
which is unaffected by subsequent market price variation.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C2 Property Insurance
- What is the measure of indemnity for property insurance?
It’s value at the date and place of loss.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C2A Buildings
- What is the indemnity with basic buildings cover?
Cost of repairs or reconstruction at the time of loss, with a deduction for wear and tear.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C2A Buildings
- With buildings insurance, what is betterment? Provide examples.
An allowance for improvements that result from repair or reconstruction. New plumbing or new decoration.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C2A Buildings
- Is basic cover common in buildings insurance?
No, it is rare. Insurance by reinstatement is much more common.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C2A Buildings
- With buildings insurance, what do reinstatement conditions cover?
Full reinstatement value at the time of reinstatement, not discounted for wear and tear.
C - Measuring Indemnity
C2A Buildings
- With buildings insurance, what are the most common types of insuring clauses with reinstatement conditions?
Reinstatement Memorandum
Day One Reinstatement