Definition of "Overinsurance"

Situation in which insurance benefits exceed the actual loss of an insured. Overinsurance can be a problem for the insurer because it may tempt the insured to make a false claim in order to profit financially. Various safeguards are designed to prevent overinsurance. For example, in group health insurance, companies break down benefits paid by the primary carrier and the secondary carrier through coordination of benefits. Still, some types of coverage, particularly disability income insurance, are subject to overinsurance abuse.

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

Stipulation that every participant in health care has the right according to law to purchase health insurance from a private insurance entity. The participant's purchase is voluntary and ...

Coverage for less than one year. Insurers generally charge higher rates for short-term policies than for longer term insurance, such as an annual policy, because of the need to recoup ...

Lump sum premium paid in advance instead of the frequency of premium payments stipulated in the insurance policy. This lump sum premium payment will be less than the present value of the ...

Primary responsibility for overseeing the insurance industry that has rested with individual states since 1945, after Congress passed the MCCARRAN-FERGUSON ACT (PUBLIC LAW 15). In addition ...

Federal law requiring that all pension plan trustees and anyone else who handles pension funds must obtain a fidelity bond. This bond covers the plan in the event of embezzlement and theft. ...

Rights of employees who leave an employer with a qualified plan to withdraw their accumulated benefits. With a contributory plan, employees have immediate rights to their own contributions, ...

Table used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in evaluating split dollar life insurance plans as to the extent of the economic benefit that is considered taxable ordinary income to the ...

Coverage for a lender who has accepted property on the floor of a merchant as security for a loan. If the merchandise is damaged or destroyed, the lender is indemnified. The policy is on an ...

Insurance company's liability for incurred but unpaid expenses. ...

Popular Insurance Questions