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.
Popular Insurance Terms
In a liability insurance policy, provision for the payment of the insured's expenses as stated in the policy in three areas above the policy limit of liability: legal fees resulting from ...
Latin phrase for "The facts speak for themselves." This is a rule of evidence under which an individual is deemed, under certain specific circumstances, to be negligent by the mere ...
Type of health insurance under which an insured's coverage extends to all family members if they are residents of the insured's household. Insures all medical expenses (except those ...
Transportation firm that carries only select customers' goods and is not obligated to carry any particular customer's goods even if that customer is willing to pay. Contrast with common ...
Clause found in a marine insurance policy that states that the policy will not pay any claims less than a given amount but will pay claims in excess of that amount. The purpose of this ...
Federal legislation that established the old age survivors, disability, and health insurance (OASDHI). ...
Coverage on real property written to have no time limit. A single deposit premium pays for insurance for the life of the risk. The insurer earns enough investment income on the deposit to ...
Rate not subsequently adjusted. The rate stays in effect regardless of an insured's subsequent loss record. ...
Health characteristic considered by an insurer underwriting an applicant for life or health insurance. Many insurance companies charge reduced premiums for nonsmokers. ...
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