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 > Life insurance

guaranty association

Insurance; Life insurance

An organization of life insurance companies within a state responsible for covering the financial obligations of a member company that becomes insolvent.

hazard

Insurance; Life insurance

A circumstance that increases the likelihood or probable severity of a loss. For example, the storing of explosives in a home basement is a hazard that increases the probability ...

hazardous activity

Insurance; Life insurance

Bungee jumping, scuba diving, horse riding and other activities not generally covered by standard insurance policies. For insurers that do provide cover for such activities, it is ...

health maintenance organization (HMO)

Insurance; Life insurance

Prepaid group health insurance plan that entitles members to services of participating physicians, hospitals and clinics. Emphasis is on preventative medicine, and members must ...

health reimbursement arrangement

Insurance; Life insurance

Owners of high-deductible health plans who are not qualified for a health savings account can use an HRA.

health savings account

Insurance; Life insurance

Plan that allows you to contribute pre-tax money to be used for qualified medical expenses. HSAs, which are portable, must be linked to a high-deductible health insurance policy.

hurricane deductible

Insurance; Life insurance

Amount you must pay out-of-pocket before hurricane insurance will kick in. Many insurers in hurricane-prone states are selling homeowners insurance policies with percentage ...