Insurance Terms 101: Defined
While purchasing an insurance policy is the first-step to protecting yourself and your property against potential risks, it is only the beginning. After all, how can you be confident of your coverage if you do not know what it means? Here are some terms, as defined by the International Risk Management Institute, to help you understand the technical concepts outlined in your personal policy.

Aggregate

A limit in an insurance policy stating the most the provider will pay for all covered losses sustained during a specified period of time.

Claim

A formal, written request to an insurance provider asking for payment/reimbursement after a sustained loss based on the terms of a pre-negotiated contract (policy).

Collision

Coverage that provides reimbursement for damages to your vehicle that resulted from either colliding with another vehicle or object or from the overturn of your own automobile.

Comprehensive

Coverage that provides reimbursement for physical damages to your vehicle resulting from incidents other than collision, such as theft, vandalism, falling objects, fire, natural disasters, etc.

Deductible

A predetermined amount of money that the insured must pay before his or her insurance provider will pay a claim.

Endorsement

A provision added to the insurance policy that either alters or adds to the preexisting coverage.

Liability

Coverage that requires an insurance carrier to provide financial reimbursement to a third party in the event that the carrier’s insured is found legally responsible for losses sustained by the third party.

Negligent

Failure to use a degree of care considered reasonable under a given set of circumstances, including acts of omission.

No-Fault

A type of auto insurance coverage mandated by some states, it requires insurers to reimburse medical expenses, loss of income, funeral expenses, and similar expenses without regard to fault.

Premium

The amount of money an insurer charges a policyholder to provide reimbursement in the event that an agreed-upon loss causes damage to the policyholder’s property.

While this guide is a great start to understanding the basics of your insurance coverage, a one-on-one meeting with your independent agent is the best way to become familiarized with your insurance policy and the unique coverage it provides.

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