Individual who sells and services insurance policies in either of two classifications:
- Independent agent represents at least two insurance companies and (at least in theory) services clients by searching the market for the most advantageous price for the most coverage. The agent's commission is a percentage of each premium paid and includes a fee for servicing the insured's policy. See also AMERICAN AGENCY SYSTEM.
- Direct writer represents only one company and sells only its policies. This agent is paid on a commission basis in much the same manner as the independent agent.
Popular Insurance Terms
Written statement by an insurance company attesting to the powers it has vested in an agent. ...
Trust established under the auspices of the Internal Revenue Code that permits the maintenance of a separate account within the employer's defined benefit pension plan from which to pay the ...
Increase or decrease in the surrender charge of the life insurance policy or annuity contract depending on the current financial markets. The cash value is adjusted upward if the policy ...
Rule adopted by the financial accounting standards board that requires that obligations owed to re-insurers under multiyear insurance contracts must be reported as liabilities by the ceding ...
Person who engages an agent or broker for advice and possible purchase of insurance. ...
Expectation of death. The probability of its occurrence is shown by a mortality table, which is important in determining the premiums for life insurance policies. ...
Rate of increase in asset value. ...
Time during which an assessment life insurance company has the right to assess policyholders if losses are worse than anticipated in the premium charged. ...
Physical contact of an automobile with another inanimate object resulting in damage to the insured car. Insurance coverage is available to provide protection against this occurrence. ...

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