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

1890 law prohibiting monopolies and restraint of trade in interstate commerce. The Sherman Act was strengthened in 1914 with amendments known as the Clayton Act that added further ...

Risk management technique for identifying risks and taking steps to minimize losses. ...

Same as term Comprehensive Insurance: complete coverage for hospital and physician charges subject to deductibles and coinsurance. This coverage combines basic medical expense policy and ...

Rule concerning stock sold and then repurchased or a similar security repurchased (warrants or options) within 30 full days before or after the day of the sale. Losses established from such ...

Option clause in a disability income policy that the insured can exercise that would permit the insured the right to purchase additional limits of coverage regardless of the insured's ...

Rule that stipulates how to calculate the actual cash value of property that has been damaged, destroyed, or stolen. The thesis of this rule is that whatever evidence that can be produced ...

Coverage underwritten on members of a natural group, such as employees of a particular business, union, association, or employer group. Each employee is entitled to benefits for hospital ...

Regulation named after a former Superintendent of Insurance of New York State, and instituted in the early 1900s. It requires every insurer admitted to New York to comply with the New York ...

The term mutually exclusive defines an instance when the occurrence of a specific event makes the emergence of another event impossible. Then, two or more things can be described as ...

Popular Insurance Questions