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

individual affordability credits

Insurance; Health insurance

Individual affordability credits are included in the health reform legislation to help ensure the goals of the legislation’s individual mandate. Legislation provides premium ...

subsidies

Insurance; Health insurance

Individual subsidies – or individual affordability credits – are included in the health reform legislation to help ensure the goals of the legislation’s individual mandate. ...

in-network

Insurance; Health insurance

In-network refers to providers or health care facilities that are part of a health plan’s network of providers with which it has negotiated a discount. Insured individuals usually ...

independent practice associations

Insurance; Health insurance

IPAs are similar to HMOs, except that individuals receive care in a physician’s own office, rather than in an HMO facility.

broker

Insurance; Health insurance

Licensed insurance salesperson who obtains quotes and plan from multiple sources information for clients.

agent

Insurance; Health insurance

Licensed salespersons who represent one or more health insurance companies and presents their products to consumers.

length of stay (LOS)

Insurance; Health insurance

LOS refers to the length of stay. It is a term used by insurance companies, case managers and/or employers to describe the amount of time an individual stays in a hospital or ...