Definitions Flashcards
Financial responsibility law
State laws that require owners or operators of autos to provide evidence that they have the funds to pay for auto losses for which they might become liable. Insurance is the usual method for providing this evidence to the state.
Fraud
A false statement intended to deceive the insurer and induce it to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right. May void an insurance policy.
Insolvency
The insurer’s inability to pay their financial obligations (claims of policyholders)
Mine subsidence
A type of peril that involves damage to your dwelling caused by an underground cave in or collapse of mines. This peril of loss is a basic exclusion within property insurance policies.
Negotiate
To confer directly with, or offer advice directly to, a purchaser or prospective purchaser of a particular contract of insurance with respect to the substantive benefits, terms, or conditions of the contract, provided the person that is conferring or offering advice either sells insurance or obtains insurance from insurers for purchasers.
Sell
to exchange a contract of insurance by any means, for money or its equivalent, on behalf of an insurer.
Solicit
to attempt to sell insurance, or to ask or urge a person to apply for a particular kind of insurance from a particular insurer.
Rebating
“buying Business” - if an agent/solicitor gives any type of monetary consideration (cash, gift, etc.) to a prospective customer to encourage that customer to buy from him
Ohio Assigned Risk Plan
a mechanism for individuals unable to obtain auto insurance in the normal marketplace.
- company must offer coverage to the applicant for a three year period.
- policy can only be cancelled due to fraud, misrepresentation, or non-payment
Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association
Basic Property, Homeowners, and some limited Farm Insurance coverage available for qualified person who have been unable to secure coverage in normal market.
Ohio Commercial Insurance Joint Underwriting Association
the non-profit unincorporated joint underwriting association established under section 3930.03 of the Revised Code
Ohio Commercial market assistance plan
the mechanism created to respond to assist commercial insurance buyers in Ohio in obtaining difficult-to-place commercial insurance coverages.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist-
the owner/operator of a motor vehicle that:
- has no bodily injury liability bond or insurance policy covering owner’s liability,
- insurer denies coverage to owner/owner is insolvent
- identity of the negligent owner or operator cannot be determined
- owner has diplomatic or other legal immunity
Adhesion
The principle that any ambiguity in the wording of the contract will always be ruled upon in favor of the insured, since they had no chance to negotiate the terms;
one of the four characteristics of insurance contracts
Agency
A legal relationship between two parties: Principal and Agent
Agency system
Refers to an insurance distribution system that supports a “middle man.” There is a field force of licensed agents and the public buys through them.
Aleatory
Refers to unequal exchange of values
ex. the premium paid for protection is a lot less than the actual limit of protection: one of the four characteristics of insurance contracts.
Binder
A legal contract that gives immediate temporary coverage for temporary need; a binder may be oral or written
Binding Authority
Refers to the ability to issue binders. Agents could have both oral and written binding authority; the overwhelming number of agents has both
Broker
One who represents an insured in the solicitation, negotiation, or procurement of contracts of insurance, and who may render services incidental to those functions.
This person is also called an independent agent. By law, the broker may also be an agent of the insurer for certain purposes such as delivery of the policy or collection of premium.
Conditional
Refers to the fact that the promise to indemnify is predicated upon conditions.
Ex. can be summarized as if… then; one of the four characteristics of insurance contracts
Contract
A legal agreement between two parties for consideration, such as an insurance policy.
Estoppel
This concept is related to waiver. Once a person or company waives a known right, the waiver cannot be reversed.
Fiduciary
A person who occupies a position of special trust and confidence.
ex. in handling or supervising the affairs or funds of another.
General Agent (GA)
An individual appointed by an insurer to administer its business in a given territory. Responsible for building the agency and service force. Compensation is on a commission basis, although there may be additional expense allowances. Often called a Managing General Agent (MGA).
Hazard
Anything that increases the possibility of suffering a loss due to peril.
ex. improperly stored combustible materials, worn tires, intentional abuse to insured property, or unsafe structural changes.
Indemnity
Insurance is designed to restore the policy owner to the same financial condition enjoyed prior to a loss. The intent is to cover the amount of the actual loss only; the insured should not profit from a loss situation.
Insurable Interest
A financial relationship you have with property. For something to be insurable, there are six things affecting risk that usually must be true: a large number of homogeneous units involved, loss must be ascertainable or measurable, loss must be uncertain, economic hardship involved, catastrophic perils excluded, adverse selection eliminated. If any one of these six characteristics is missing, an interest is not insurable.
Insured
The party to an insurance arrangement to whom, or on behalf of whom, the insurance company agrees to indemnify for losses, provide benefits, or render service.
Insurer
The insurance company assuming risk and agreeing to pay claims or provide services.
Liability
- A legal obligation to pay for a loss.
- Type of insurance needed to cover the situation of being responsible for someone’s accident or injury or to provide a defense to settle any claim or suit against the insured. The insurer’s duty to settle or defend ends when the amount paid for damages resulting from the occurrence equals the limit of liability.
Mass Marketing System
Refers to an insurance distribution system that “cuts out the middle man.” The public calls an 800 number and buys direct.
Peril
The cause of a loss to a policyholder.
Policy
The written contract effecting insurance or the certificate thereof by whatever name called, and papers attached thereto and made apart thereof.
a legal document between the insurance company and the policy owner that defines the amount of coverage, the amount of the premiums for that coverage, and what is and isn’t covered in the event of a loss.
Policy owner
The person who has the right to exercise the privileges and rights in the policy contract. Also called contract holder or policyholder.
Premium
- The consideration for the insurance.
2. A periodic payment made to keep a policy in force.
Property insurance
Insurance that indemnifies a person with an interest in a property for a loss.