Glossary of Insurance Terms

a
Absolute Assignmentsearch for term

An Absolute Assignment is an irrevocable transfer, from one person to another person or entity, of all ownership rights and privileges under an insurance Policy.

Accidental Death Benefitsearch for term

A benefit in addition to the face amount of a life insurance Policy, payable if the insured dies as the result of an accident. Sometimes referred to as double indemnity.

Actively at Worksearch for term

Means actually performing, on a full-time basis, the regular duties pertaining to his/her job in a place where and a manner in which the job is normally performed.

Applicantsearch for term

Person applying for insurance coverage.

Applicationsearch for term

A signed statement of facts made by a person or company applying for insurance and then used by the insurance company to decide whether or not to issue a Policy.

Attending Physician's Statement (APS)search for term

A statement by the Attending Physician relaying the personal health history of an individual. This can be used for both individual medical underwriting or for an eligible claims determination.

b
Beneficiarysearch for term

The person or entity designated in writing by the Insured or Policy owner or provided for by an insurance Policy's terms to receive any benefits provided by the Policy or plan upon the death of the Insured.

Benefit Percentagesearch for term

The percentage of covered covered monthly earnings shown in the group policy for determining the benefit payable.

Benefitssearch for term

The amount payable by the insurance company to a claimant, assignee or beneficiary under the insurance policy.

c
Certificate of Insurancesearch for term

A summary of coverage distributed by the Plan Administrator to an individual insured employee, which outlines the benefits and provisions of the group policy.

Claimsearch for term

A request for payment of a benefit as a result of a covered loss under an insurance contract.

Contestable Periodsearch for term

A period of time specified in the Policy during which we may contest the validity of insurance coverage. If an individual is required to make a representation (i.e. statement of health) when enrolling for coverage under a Policy, no misrepresentation on the part of the applicant can be used to make that coverage invalid after the covered person has been insured for a specific period of time, usually two years.

Contingent Beneficiarysearch for term

The person or persons designated in writing by the Insured to receive the benefits of a Policy or plan if there is no primary beneficiary or if no primary beneficiary is living at the death of the insured.

Conversionsearch for term

If insurance coverage ceases due to termination of employment or another reason as specified in the policy, an insured employee may apply for an individual plan of insurance made available by an insurance carrier at that time without providing evidence of insurability.

Coveragesearch for term

The scope of protection provided under a contract of insurance; any of several risks covered by a Policy.

Covered Monthly Earnings (CME)search for term

The insured's monthly rate of earnings from the employer in effect just prior to the date disability begins. CME usually does not include bonuses, overtime pay, and other extra compensation. However, exceptions can be made at the underwriter's discretion.

d
Death Benefit search for term

The amount payable in accordance with policy provisions upon the death of the Insured.

Disabilitysearch for term

A physical or mental impairment that prevents or limits an Insured individual's ability to work.

e
Effective Datesearch for term

The date on which the insurance under a policy begins.

Eligibilitysearch for term

Criteria used to define a person who may participate in an insurance plan.

Eligibility Datesearch for term

The date on which an individual member of a specified group becomes eligible to apply for insurance under a group life or health insurance plan.

Eligibility Period search for term

A specified length of time, such as 31 days, following the eligibility date during which an individual member of a particular group will be eligible to apply for insurance under a group long term disability insurance policy without evidence of insurability up to the guaranteed issue limit.

Eligible Employeessearch for term

Those members of a group who have met the eligibility requirements under a group long term disability insurance plan.

Elimination Period (EP)search for term

A period of time between the first day of disability and the date on which Disability Income Insurance Benefits commence. No benefits are paid during the EP.

Enrollment Periodsearch for term

The period during which employees may enroll for coverage under a group plan.

Enrollment Processsearch for term

The procedures by which an eligible group member signs up for group insurance coverage.

Evidence of Insurability (E.O.I.)search for term

Any statement or proof provided by an applicant on an application form of a person's physical condition and/or other factual information affecting his/her acceptance for insurance.

g
Grace Periodsearch for term

A specified period of time, usually 31 days, following the premium due date during which the case remains in force and payment of premium may be made without penalty.

Group Enrollment Cardsearch for term

A document signed by the employee as notice of a desire to participate or not in the group plan. In a contributory case, this card also provides the employer with authorization to deduct contributions from the employee's payroll. It also provides the employer with signed evidence that the benefits were offered and declined by those employees not wishing to participate.

Group Insurancesearch for term

Insurance written on a number of people under a single policy, issued to their employer or to an association with which they are affiliated.

Guarantee Issuesearch for term

The maximum amount of insurance that will be issued to an eligible employee without the requirement of proof of good health (evidence of insurability).

i
Incontestabilitysearch for term

A provision in insurance policies that states, except for non-payment of premium, the coverage may not be contested after the policy has been in force for two years.

Individual Effective Datesearch for term

The date on which the insured's coverage will go into effect provided any applicable service waiting period has been completed.

Insurabilitysearch for term

Acceptance by the insurance company of an applicant for insurance.

Insurance Companysearch for term

(1) An organization chartered to operate as an insurer. (2) Any corporation primarily engaged in the business of furnishing insurance protection to individuals or organizations.

Insuredsearch for term

A person who meets the eligibility requirements of the policy and is enrolled for insurance.

Insurersearch for term

The party to the insurance contract who promises to pay covered losses or benefits. Also, any corporation engaged primarily in the business of furnishing insurance to the public.

Irrevocable Beneficiarysearch for term

Beneficiary designation allowing no change to be made in the beneficiary of an insurance Policy without the named irrevocable beneficiary's consent.

l
Lapsesearch for term

The termination or discontinuance of an insurance policy due to non-payment of a premium.

Late Applicant search for term

A person eligible for insurance under a group policy who applies for coverage after expiration of the initial eligibility period. The prospective insured is usually required to furnish evidence of insurability.

Life Event Changessearch for term

Life Event Changes may qualify an Insured to increase his existing coverage up to the guaranteed issue amount. Life Event Changes include, but are not limited to, the following:

Life Insurancesearch for term

Insurance providing for payment of a specified amount on the Insured's death, either to his or her estate or to a designated beneficiary.

Living Benefit Ridersearch for term

An Insured who becomes terminally ill can request the insurance company to pay a portion of the policy death benefit prior to his/her death.

Long Term Disability Income Insurancesearch for term

Insurance issued to an employer (group) to provide a reasonable replacement of a portion of an employee's earned income lost through and prolonged sickness illness or injury.

Losssearch for term

The occurrence of the event for which an insurance benefit may be payable.

m
Master Policysearch for term

An insurance contract that is issued to an employer or trustee, establishing a group insurance plan for designated members of an eligible group.

Maximum Covered Monthly Earningssearch for term

The maximum amount of monthly earnings for which an employee may be insured. The maximum covered payroll for any individual depends on the Maximum Monthly Benefit and the Benefit Percentage.

Maximum Monthly Benefitsearch for term

The maximum monthly amount any one individual may receive under the policy.

Medical Examinationsearch for term

A physical examination performed to provide information for an insurance company to determine an individual's acceptability for insurance or eligibility for additional benefits under existing insurance; or an examination of an Insured by a physician to determine extent, validity or duration of a disability.

Misrepresentationsearch for term

A false, incorrect, improper, or incomplete statement of a material fact, made in the application for an insurance policy.

o
Open Enrollment Periodsearch for term

A specified period of time during which employees who did not enroll during their initial eligibility period or subsequent open enrollments may apply for insurance without evidence of insurability being required. Certain guidelines and limits may apply. This may also apply to increases in insurance and must be approved the insurance carrier.

p
Paid Claimssearch for term

The total amount of money expended by the insurance company on claims submitted by the Policyholder for a specified period of time.

Paramedical Examinationsearch for term

Physical examination of an applicant by a trained person other than a physician.

Policysearch for term

The legal document issued by an insurance company to a Policyholder, which outlines the conditions and terms of the insurance; also called the Policy contract or the contract.

Policyholdersearch for term

An entity to which an insurance policy is issued.

Premiumsearch for term

The sum remitted by a Policyholder to keep an insurance policy in force.

Provisionsearch for term

A clause, sentence or paragraph of an insurance contract that describes or explains a feature, benefit, condition, requirement, etc. of the insurance protection afforded by the contract.

r
Ratesearch for term

The pricing factor upon which the insurance buyer's premium is based.

Reinstatementsearch for term

The resumption of coverage under a policy that has lapsed after the Insured meets specified requirements.

Renewalsearch for term

Continuance of coverage under a policy beyond its original term by the insurer's acceptance of the premium for a new policy term.

Representationsearch for term

Statements made by an applicant in an insurance application, which he represents as being substantially true to the best of his knowledge and belief, but which are not warranted as exact in every detail.

Rescissionsearch for term

Termination of an insurance contract by the insurer on the grounds of material misrepresentation in the application for insurance. The action of rescission must take place within the contestable period clause set forth in the policy, but takes effect as of the effective date of the policy, thus voiding the contract from its inception.

Ridersearch for term

An amendment to an insurance policy. A rider becomes a part of the insurance policy and either expands or limits the benefits payable under the contract.

s
Seasonal Workersearch for term

A temporary employee, working in an industry or business that limits activity to a certain portion or season of the calendar year. Under normal circumstances, such employees are not eligible for coverage.

Service Waiting Period search for term

The continuous length of time an employee must be employed and in an eligible class before becoming eligible for coverage.

Settlement Optionssearch for term

Various options listed in the insurance policy from which the insured or beneficiary may choose to have Policy benefits paid.

t
Term Insurance search for term

Life insurance payable to a beneficiary only when an insured dies within a specified period. The coverage expires without value if the insured survives the stated period.

u
Underwritingsearch for term

The process of identifying and classifying the degree of risk presented by the proposed insured.

w
Waiver of Premiumsearch for term

A provision in some policies to waive the payment of premium falling due during a period of continuous total disability of an insured employee that has lasted for a specified length of time subject to approval by the insurance company.

Whole Life Insurancesearch for term

Individual Life insurance coverage that builds cash value. The benefit is payable to a named beneficiary at the death of the insured which occurs while the Policy is in force.