Definition of "Risk selection"

Methods by which a home office underwriter chooses applicants that an insurer will accept. The underwriter's job is to spread the costs equitably among members of the group to be insured. Therefore, the underwriter must determine which are normal risks, or standard risks, to be charged the standard rate; which are substandard risks, to be charged a higher rate; and which are preferred risks, to receive a discount. This process is made more difficult by SELF-SELECTION and ADVERSE SELECTION. The underwriter must screen applicants who are looking for insurance, specifically because they have a greater-than-normal chance of loss, and set the correct PREMIUM rate for them.

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

Written agreement that puts insurance coverage into effect. ...

Same as term: Free Examination "free Look" Period: right, in most states, of an insured to have 10 days in which to examine an insurance policy, and if not satisfied, to return it to the ...

Trust in which a home is transferred directly to the children while the parent (s) remain in the home for a fixed period of time, resulting in a substantially reduced estate tax cost. These ...

Injury covered under workers compensation insurance. For every part of the body that may be injured, there is a listed financial sum that will be paid. For example, a right severed index ...

Term that describes commercial insurance with no administrative services attached, or alternatively, administrative services from an insurer without insurance coverage. Years ago, insureds ...

Total earned premiums minus total expenses and losses paid of the insurance company. ...

Legislation designed to provide the structural reform necessary to strengthen the thrift industry after the bailout of the insolvent Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) ...

Life insurance that pays the balance of a mortgage if the mortgagor (insured) dies. Coverage is usually in the form of decreasing term insurance, with the amount of coverage decreasing as ...

Method whereby an insurer pays the amount of each claim for each risk up to a limit determined in advance and the reinsurer pays the amount of the claim above that limit up to a specific ...

Popular Insurance Questions