Insurance Planning Flashcards
Basic insurance concepts - Risk
A condition where there is a possibility of a loss (a situation where an exposure to loss exists)
- starting a business
- buying real estate
Basic insurance concepts - Peril
The cause of a possible loss, the event insured against perils like windstorm, fire, and theft
Basic insurance concepts - Hazard
A condition that may create or increase the chance of loss arising from a given peril like:
- Owning a home on an earthquake fault line
- Owning a home by a river
Elements of Insurance
- Large number of homogeneous exposure units
- Loss must be definite and measurable
- Must be fortuitous or accidental
- Must not be catastrophic (for the insurance company)
Methods to avoid/reduce loss
Methods are:
- Avoidance: do not drive, do not purchase property but rent it
- Diversification: duplication of assets or activities at different locations
- Transference: INSURANCE
- Retention: voluntary - recognizes that the risk exists and assumes losses (deductible, co-insurance)
- Risk reduction: sprinkler system, safety programs
Insurable Interest
Property/Casualty: at inception AND at time of claim
Life: at inception but need not be at time of claim
Parts of the Insurance Contract
- Declarations page: factual statements that identify the specific person, property or activity being insured
- Definitions: explanation of key policy terms
- Insuring agreements: spells out the basic promise of the insurance company
- Conditions: spells out in detail the duties and rights of both parties
- Exclusions: circumstances when the insurer will not pay
REMEMBER “DICE”
Negligences
- Attractive nuisances (swimming pool / vacant lot)
- Negligence per se (violate a statue)
- Strict liability (product liability)
- Absolute liability (workers compensation)
- Vicarious liability - respondent superior (principals responsible for their agents)
Defenses for negligence
- Assumption of risk (skiing, stock car races)
- Contributory (jay walking, being drunk)
- Comparative (A is 20% negligent, B is 80%)
- Last clear chance (road rage)
Calculating life insurance needs (two methods)
- Capital utilization approach: uses annuitization to provide needed income but leaves no money at the end of the planned period.
- Capital needs approach: uses interest only, so the original capital is still left at the end of the income period (also called capital retention or interest only).
Insurance rating service / category
most comprehensive service
- A.M. Best / A++ to F
* Standard & Poor / AAA to CCC
Sections of Homeowner’s Policy
Section I (Coverage: A B C D) A - dwelling and attached structures B - structures separated from dwelling (detached garage, fences) C - contents and personal property D - loss of use
Section II (Coverage: E F)
E - liability
F - medical payments
Property excluded under personal property coverage
- Animals, birds, or fish
- Motorized land vehicles and aircraft
- Property of roomers, boarders, and other tenants
- Property contained in an apartment regularly rented or held for rental to others by the insured (unless specifically endorsed)
Perils Covered (Basic Form)
- Windstorm
- Hail
- Aircraft
- Riot
- Vandalism
- Vehicles
- Explosion
- Smoke
- Fire
- Lightning
- Theft
(Remember: WHARVES/FLT)
Perils Covered (Broad Form)
- Rupture of a system
- Artificially generated electricity
- Falling objects
- Freezing of plumbing
(Remember: Basic plus RAFF)
Homeowner’s Forms of Coverage
Coverage: | A | B | C | D |
HO-1: Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic
HO-2 (home): Broad | Broad | Broad | Broad
HO-3 (home): Open | Open (10% A) | Broad (50% A) | Open (30% A)
HO-3/15 HO-5: Open | Open (10% A) | Open (50% A) | Open (30% A)
HO-8 (older home): Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic
HO-4 (renter’s): | | Broad | Broad (30% C)
HO-6 (condo): ** | ** | Open | Broad (50% C)
** Can have some coverage for A and B (named perils)
Homeowner Policy Exclusions
- earthquake
- flood
- neglect
- intentional loss
- ordinance / law
- power failure
- war
- nuclear hazard
* NOTE: sink hole is a covered peril for the exam
Replacement Cost Coverage
Insurance required = replacement cost * coinsurance percentage
Amount paid by insurance = (insurance carried / insurance required) * Loss - deductible
Automobile risk exposures
Requirements for a vehicle to be eligible for:
Insurance Services Office (ISO)
Personal Auto Policy (PAP)
- Be owned by an individual or by a husband and wife living in the same household
- Be a private passenger automobile
- Not be used as a public or livery conveyance
- Not be rented to others
Auto Insurance Policy Parts
- Part A: limited to third parties
- Part B: medical payments
- Part C: uninsured / underinsured motorists
- Part D: damage to the covered auto