A
Actual Cash Value (ACV) - The value of your property,
based on the current cost to replace it minus depreciation.
Adjuster - A person who investigates and settles insurance
claims.
Agent - A person who sells insurance policies.
Application - A form you fill out with information about
you that an insurance company will use to decide whether to
issue you a policy and how much to charge.
B
Benchmark Rate(s) -The rates set annually by the Commissioner
of Insurance that rate-regulated insurance companies use to
reference their rates. Rate-regulated insurance companies
filing rates within a range of 30 percent above or below the
benchmarks may use them immediately upon filing without prior
approval. A company that wants to set its rates outside this
range must receive the Commissioner´s prior approval.
Binder - A temporary insurance contract that provides
proof of coverage until you receive a permanent policy.
Bound- A term meaning the policy is officially "in
force" and now all liabilities are shared between the
insurance company and the drivers.
Bodily Injury (BI) - Physical injury to a person.
C
Cancellation - Termination of an insurance policy by the
company or insured before the renewal date.
Claimant - A person who makes an insurance claim. This
could be the insured driver, policy holder or party injured
in an auto accident
Collision Coverage - Pays for damage to your car without
regard to who caused an accident. The company must pay for
the repair or up to the actual cash value of your vehicle,
minus your deductible.
Comprehensive Coverage (Physical Damage Other than Collision)
- Pays for damage to or loss of your automobile from causes
other than accidents. These include hail, vandalism, flood,
fire, and theft.
Contract - In most cases, the term "contract"
refers to an insurance policy. A policy is considered to be
a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder.
D
Declarations Page - The page in your policy that shows
the name and address of the insurer, the period of time a
policy is in force, a description of the vehicle, the amount
of the premium, and the amount of coverage. Sometimes referred
to as a "Dec Page".
Deductible - The amount the insured must pay in a loss
before any payment is due from the company.
Depreciation - The act of lowering an item´s
value due to use or wear and tear.
E
Earned Premium - The portion of a policy premium that
has been used to actually buy coverage, or that the insurance
company has "earned." For instance, if you have
a six-month policy that you paid for in advance, two months
into the policy, there would be two months of earned premium.
The remaining four months of premium is called unearned premium.
Endorsement - A written agreement attached to a policy
expanding or limiting the benefits otherwise payable under
the policy. Same as a "rider." Endorsement is a
simple term for "Policy Change" and may refer to
something as simple as swapping an insured vehicle.
G
Gap Insurance - Insurance that pays the difference between
the actual cash value of a vehicle and the amount still to
be paid on the loan, Some gap policies may also cover the
amount of the deductible.
L
Lapse - Termination of a policy due to non-payment of
premiums.
Liability Insurance - Pays for injuries to the other
party and damages to the other vehicle resulting from an accident
you caused. It also pays if the accident was caused by someone
covered by your policy, including a driver operating your
car with your permission.
Liability Limits - The maximum amount your liability
policy will pay. Your policy must pay at least $20,000 per
person for injuries and deaths, up to $40,000 for all victims
of an accident, plus $15,000 for property damage. You can
purchase higher liability limits for additional premium. Suprising
how many Texans don't purchase higher limits than the state
minimum requirements for liability, given the replacement
cost of today's vehicles.
Loss - The amount an insurance company pays on a claim.
M
Medical Payments ection (PIP) - Both pay limited medical
and funeral expenses if you, a family member, or a passenger
in your car is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident.
PIP also pays lost-income benefits.
N
Named Driver Exclusion - An endorsement that provides
that a policy does not cover accidents when a specifically
named person is the driver. Texas auto insurance policy holders
should be careful when excluding youthful drivers in their
household as the insurance company is NOT LIABLE for any damage
caused by an excluded driver.
Named Driver Policy - A policy that covers only the
drivers specifically named in the policy. Generally, all other
drivers are excluded from coverage under the policy. This
type of policy is usually written by surplus lines companies.
Non-Owners Policy - Insurance coverage that offers
liability, uninsured motorist, and medical payments to a named
insured who does not own a vehicle.
Non-renewal - A decision by an insurance company not
to renew a policy.
P
PIP (Personal Injury Protection)- Pays limited medical
and funeral expenses if you, a family member, or a passenger
in your car is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident.
PIP also pays lost-income benefits and generally costs more
than simple Medical Payments mentioned above. PIP must be
rejected in writing at the time an insurance policy is bound
for coverage.
Policy Period - The period a policy is in force, from
the beginning or effective date to the expiration date.
Premium - The amount paid by an insured to an insurance
company to obtain or maintain an insurance policy.
Property Damage (PD) - Physical damage to property.
R
Rental Reimbursement Coverage - Pays a set daily amount
for a rental car if your car is being repaired because of
damage covered by your auto policy.
Rider - A written agreement attached to the policy
expanding or limiting the benefits otherwise payable under
the policy. Same as an "endorsement."
S
Surcharge - An extra charge added to your premium by an
insurance company. For automobile insurance, a surcharge is
usually added if you have at-fault accidents.
Surplus Lines - Coverage from out-of-state companies
not licensed in Texas but legally eligible to sell insurance
on a "surplus lines" basis. Surplus lines companies
generally charge more than licensed companies and often offer
less coverage.
T
Towing & Labor Coverage - Pays for towing charges
when your car can´t be driven. Also pays labor charges,
such as changing a flat tire, at the place where your car
broke down.
U
Underwriter - The person who reviews an application for
insurance and decides if the applicant is acceptable and at
what premium rate.
Underwriting - The process an insurance company uses
to decide whether to accept or reject an application for a
policy.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage -
Pays for your injuries and property damage caused by a hit-and-run
driver or a motorist without liability insurance. It will
also pay when your medical and car repair bills are higher
than the other driver´s liability coverage. This coverage
is optional in Texas, but must be rejected in writing by the
policy holder at the time the Texas auto insurance policy
is bound. Given the number of uninsured drivers in Texas,
this coverage should be purchased by all Texas drivers. The
Physical Damage portion of this policy carries a mandatory
$250 deductible.
NOTICE:
"This document is for informational purposes only and
is not intended to alter or replace the insurance policy.
Additionally, this web page is not intended to fully set out
your rights and obligations or the rights and obligations
of the insurance company. If you have questions about your
insurance, you should consult your insurance agent, the insurance
company, or the language of the insurance policy."
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