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

Coverage for additional buildings on the same property as the principal insured building. Most property insurance contracts such as the homeowners insurance policy cover appurtenant ...

Means of funding permitted under the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (ERISA). The administrator of a pension plan can comply with required minimum funding standards by ...

Very broad term for insurance covering liability exposures for individuals and business owners. It provides broad coverage, generally including all exposures for property damage and bodily ...

Payments awarded by a court in a liability suit. Money damages can be broken down into compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages reimburse a plaintiff for expenses incurred for such ...

Endorsement to owners, landlords, and tenants LIABILITY POLICY, MANUFACTURERS AND CONTRACTORS LIABILITY INSURANCE, or other liability policies for business firms that provides liability ...

Clause in a property insurance policy that stipulates that either the insurer or the insured has the right to demand an appraisal in order to determine the monetary damage or loss to an ...

Clause found in an annuity contract that enables the owner of that contract to withdraw his or her money without surrender penalties, if the annual interest rate is lowered below a certain ...

Conducting of maritime suits involving ocean marine insurance policy claims before an admiralty court. ...

Losses paid plus positive or negative changes in the year-end loss reserves during that particular year. The total amount includes payments for any old claims as well as new claims, plus ...

Popular Insurance Questions