Study 1 Industry Knowledge Flashcards
Insurance
A contract in which one party, the insurer, for monetary consideration agrees to reimburse another, the insured, for loss or liability for a loss on a defined subject caused by specified hazards or perils
Indemnify
To provide compensation for loss or expenses incurred
Premium
The price of insurance protection for a specified risk for a specified period of time
Risk
The chance of loss. Specifically, the possible loss or destruction of property or the possible incurring of a liability. Sometimes referred to as the subject of an insurance contract.
Contract
An agreement or promise between two or more parties that is intended to be legally enforceable and is constituted by the acceptance by one party of an offer made by another party, to do or to abstain from doing a specific act. The offer and acceptance may either be expressed or be inferred through the conduct of the parties.
Agent
A person licensed and authorized or employed to act on behalf of another
Broker
A licensed independent person or firm who acts on behalf of an insured in placing business with insurance conpanies
Adjuster
One who investigates insurance claims, makes recommendations regarding the payment of benefits from insurance policies, and negotiates payments and settlements.
Independent adjuster
One who adjusts losses on behalf of the insurance companies but is not employed by any one insurance company
Public adjuster
An insurance claims adjuster representing an insured on a fee basis in a claims settlement
Describe the primary function of insurance
The primary function of insurance is to spread risk. The spread of risk can be achieved by:
Volume - insuring a large number of risk
Diversity of the type of risk - writing insurance on as many types of risk as possible. Chance of underwriting profit increases b/c a loss in one class of business may be offset by a better-than-average profit in other classes.
Diversity of location - writing insurance in as many different locations as practicable. Opportunity for profit increases
Describe the 5 secondary functions of insurance
- aiding security: peace of mind by substituting a certain premium payment in place of an uncertain loss payment. Both individuals and business can avoid the need for setting aside reserves of money to meet financial requirements in case of loss
- aiding credit: virtually impossible to obtain credit without having insurance on the item concerned
- promoting loss prevention: helps reduce the actual cost of insurance to the consumer and also the inconvenience that results from an accident or loss
- providing capital: insurers must safeguard the premiums they collect so that funds are available to pay claims and reimburse insured who cancel their policies midterm = large amounts of money to invest in Canadian economy
- providing employment
Telematics
An interdisciplinary field with telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering, and computer science
Loss reserve
An amount carried as a liability in an insurers balance sheet representing, in respect of each claim, an amount equal to the estimated final settlement cost less any amounts already paid
Incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses
An estimate of the amount an insurer’s liability for claim-generating events that have taken place but have not yet been reported to the insurer or self-insurer. The sun of IBNR losses plus incurred losses provide an estimate of the insurer’s eventual liabilities for losses during a given period
Unearned premium
The part of the premium that has not yet been used or earned; premium representing the y expiring portion of a policy.
Earned premiums
(1) that portion of premium earned or chanted for the period of time a policy remained effective, for example, an annual policy paid for in advance would be one-twelfth “earned” at the end of the first full month of its term
(2) an amount calculated by taking the earned premium written during the period, less the unearned premium reserve at the end of the period
(3) premium actually exposed to loss
Unearned premium reserve
A reserve fund of an insurance company or reinsurance company, representing the unearned premiums
Law of agency
Applies when an agent is authorized to do something on behalf of a principal. The principal is the person or entity for whom the agent or broker acts
Express contract
One in which the terms of the arrangement have been specifically stated and agreed to by both parties either orally or in writing
Implied contract
One in which the parties have acted in such a way that it is understood that a principal - agent relationship exists, even though no expressed statement may have been made be either
Utmost good faith
A legal principal calling for the highest standards of integrity on the part of the insured and the insurer