Definition of "Rate making"

Process of calculating a premium so that it is adequate-sufficient to pay losses according to expected frequency and severity, thereby safeguarding against the insurance company becoming insolvent; reasonable-the insurance company should not be able to earn an excessive profit; and not unfairly discriminatory or inequitable. Theoretically, it can be said that each insurance applicant should pay a unique premium to reflect a different expectation of loss, but this would be impractical. Instead, classifications are established for applicants to be grouped according to similar expectation of loss. Statistical studies of a large number of nearly homogeneous exposures in each underwriting classification enable the projection of losses after adjustments for future inflation and statistical irregularities. The adjusted statistics are used to calculate the pure cost of protection, or pure premium, to which the insurance company adds on loads for agent commissions, premium taxes, administrative expenses, contingency reserves, other acquisition costs, and profit margin. The result is the gross premium to be charged to the insured.

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

Life insurance policy provision stating that after the death of an insured, the proceeds from a policy are not immediately paid to the primary beneficiary; instead, they are delayed for a ...

Placement of verbal descriptive information into numerical form for the purposes of analysis. ...

Amount received by the policyholder if the policy is canceled, benefits are reduced, or the premium is reduced. ...

Same as term Claims Made Basis: method of determining whether or not coverage is available for a specific claim. If a claim is made during the time period when a liability policy is in ...

Same as term Expiration File: agents' records showing when clients' policies expire. ...

Same as term Extended Coverage Endorsement: added to an insurance policy or a clause found in an insurance policy that will provide additional coverage for risks to be insured other than ...

Assets from a will transfer into an established life insurance trust. Through this mechanism, assets that have been probated are transferred into a living trust. ...

Annual contributions to a pension plan that exceed or are smaller than the minimum required for future employee benefits currently being earned; and any supplemental liability for past ...

Health insurance that provides coverage for physicians' fees for all services, with the exception of surgeons' fees. ...

Popular Insurance Questions