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

Affiliate of the national association of life underwriters (NALU) that supports legislators in the interest of the insurance agents. One becomes a member of LUPAC through a monetary ...

Individual receiving medical treatment who is not required to be hospitalized overnight. ...

Association that represents reinsurance companies as well as insurance companies that do not market marine insurance. LIRMA and the institute of London underwriters share the same facility ...

Rules that apply to employee distributions (see rollover and withholding rules for qualified plan distributions: payment paid to employee) and that also apply to distributions to surviving ...

Same as term Blanket Insurance: single policy on the insured's property for (1) two or more different kinds of property in the same location; (2) same kind of property in two or more ...

Act by a company that authorizes an agent to act on its behalf. ...

Four-year institution of higher learning. The degree programs include insurance, risk management, actuarial science, and financial services. ...

One of the major underwriting organizations for insurance company pools insuring commercial aircraft liability exposure. ...

Coverage for damage to a building or its contents due to the weight of these elements. Outdoor property such as patios, swimming pools, and sidewalks are usually excluded. ...

Popular Insurance Questions