Definition of "Dependent"

A person who relies on another for economic support. For insurance purposes, the following may be included:

  1. the insured's legal spouse;
  2. any unmarried children younger than a specified age who are dependent upon the insured for support (age requirements vary from plan to plan);
  3. unmarried children between specified years of age who are dependent upon the insured for support, and who are full-time students in an educational institution (age requirements vary).
A dependent child cannot be covered under more than one insured employee's plan. For example, if the husband and wife are both insured employees of different companies, coordination of benefits would determine which plan is primary and which plan is secondary. In some states, the father's plan is primary; in other states, the birthday rule would be used: the parent with the earlier birthday would have the primary plan.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Health insurance contract that is renewable at the option of the insurer. On the anniversary date of the contract, the insurer has the right to decide whether or not to renew. ...

Time limit on the deferred ownership of property such that, 21 years after the property owner dies, the deferred ownership of that property terminates. ...

Discharge of electricity from the atmosphere, one of the perils covered in most fire insurance policies. ...

Federal agency that regulates commerce across state lines. The ICC does not oversee insurance, which is subject to regulation by the states according to Public Law 15, McCarran-Ferguson ...

Authority that administers state laws regulating insurance and licenses insurance companies and their agents. ...

Arrangement under which the insured pays a fixed premium to the insurance company in exchange for the total transfer of the risk to that company. ...

Approach that maintains injury or sickness begins when it is first detected by an obvious appearance. This argument is used in determining if liability insurance is afforded in a particular ...

Coverage in the event an employee is kidnapped from an insured business's premises and forced to return to aid a criminal in a theft. ...

Expenses taken out when benefits are paid. For example, a specific dollar amount is subtracted from a monthly income payment for company expenses. ...

Popular Insurance Questions