Stare Decisis
Latin phrase meaning "to stand by the decisions." This legal doctrine under common law requires courts to rely on precedents, or previous decisions, when deciding disputes unless there is a compelling reason to reject those precedents. In most instances, this doctrine means that courts will decide disputes over insurance contracts the same way they have decided cases with similar facts and legal issues in the past.
Popular Insurance Terms
Medical malpractice that is the legal responsibility of a person or organization not in the medical profession or business. It is usually covered under a professional liability insurance ...
request by an insured for indemnification by an insurance company for loss incurred from an insured peril. ...
Individual retirement account (IRA) established to receive distribution of assets from a qualified pension or retirement plan. For example, if employees resign from their jobs and receive a ...
Maintenance of Social Security benefits at current dollar or percentage levels. Social Security benefits are indexed to the Consumer Price Index and rise in tandem with the Index. A benefit ...
Qualified pension or other employee benefit where responsibility rests with an employer rather than an insurer. A trust fund plan, where assets are deposited with and invested by a trustee, ...
In property insurance, a stipulated agreement between the insurance company and the insured that the amount of insurance coverage under the policy is sufficient to be in compliance with the ...
Inland marine policy addition that provides coverage to owners of sheep, and to warehouseowners who store wool as well as wool in transit. ...
Amount of the insurance company's liabilities for claims that have not been settled. If this reserve increases significantly in relation to the company's surplus, the risk is greater for ...
Life insurance contract that pays its owner dividends, which can be: taken as cash; applied to reduce a premium; applied to purchase an increment of paid-up insurance; left on deposit ...

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