Home > Industry/Domain > Insurance

Insurance

Insurance is a promise of compensation for specific potential future losses in exchange for a periodic payment. Insurance is designed to protect the financial well-being of an individual, company or other entity in the case of unexpected loss. Some forms of insurance are required by law, while others are optional. Agreeing to the terms of an insurance policy creates a contract between the insured and the insurer. In exchange for payments from the insured (called premiums), the insurer agrees to pay the policy holder a sum of money upon the occurrence of a specific event. In most cases, the policy holder pays part of the loss (called the deductible), and the insurer pays the rest. Examples include car insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, and business insurance.

8Categories 32802Terms

Add a new term

Contributors in Insurance

Insurance > Health insurance

patient protection and affordable care act (PPACA)

Insurance; Health insurance

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) – also known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA – is the landmark health reform legislation passed by the 111th Congress and ...

second surgical opinion

Insurance; Health insurance

These are now standard benefits in many health insurance plans. It is an opinion provided by a second physician, when one physician recommends surgery to an individual.

out-of-plan

Insurance; Health insurance

This phrase usually refers to physicians, hospitals or other health care providers who are considered nonparticipants in an insurance plan (usually an HMO or PPO). Depending on an ...

out-of-network

Insurance; Health insurance

This phrase usually refers to physicians, hospitals or other health care providers who are considered nonparticipants in an insurance plan (usually an HMO or PPO). Depending on an ...

Obamacare penalty

Insurance; Health insurance

Under the individual mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act, Americans will be required to purchase health insurance, starting in 2014. Those who, for whatever reason, ...

state mandated benefits

Insurance; Health insurance

When a state passes laws requiring that health insurance plans include specific benefits.

admitting privilege

Insurance; Health insurance

Admitting privilege is the right granted to a doctor to admit patients to a particular hospital.