Insurance doesn’t have to be complicated—or need a whole dictionary to understand. Our list of insurance terminology can help you not only understand your policy better, but also help you decide which coverages are right for you. So whether you’re looking for auto insurance, homeowners insurance, or insurance for a recreational line, you’ll be in the know in the event something happens.
12 min to read
Selecting an item from the list moves focus to the definition of that item lower in the page.
A
- Actual cash value (ACV)
The actual cash value of an item is the current market value, including any depreciation.
- Additional interest insured
A company or person who has been named as an additional interest insured on a policy can be liable for an accident that involves an insured person or vehicle. For example, a lienholder can be an additional interest insured.
- Aftermarket parts
Aftermarket parts, not made by the original manufacturer, are sometimes used to replace damaged parts in a vehicle.
- Anti-theft device
There are essentially two types of anti-theft devices: passive and active. Passive devices require no action or activation and automatically arm themselves when the vehicle is turned off, the ignition key is removed or a door is shut. Active devices require some action or activation, such as pushing a button or placing a \"lock\" somewhere in your car. Typically with active devices, you must re-activate them every time you set them or they won’t work. Keep in mind that you could get a discount for having an anti-theft device in your car.
- Appraisal
An evaluation of a home or auto insurance property claim by an authorized person to determine property value or damaged property value.
B
- Bodily injury liability coverage (BI)
If an insured person is legally liable for an accident, BI coverage pays for death or injuries to people involved in the accident other than the insured driver. BI also pays for legal defense costs if you’re sued.
C
- Cancellation
The termination of a home or auto insurance policy during the policy term. An insurance company can only cancel an insurance policy for reasons stated in the policy and permitted under the law of the state in which the policyholder resides.
- Claim
A policyholder's request for reimbursem*nt from an insurance company for a loss of property.
- Classic car insurance
Classic car insurance covers your collectible vehicle up to an agreed value decided by you and your insurance company.
- Collision coverage
If your insured vehicle collides with another object, collision coverage pays for the damage to your vehicle. Collision coverage may extend to a non-owned car or one rented for personal use that is in your custody or that you’re operating.
- Comprehensive coverage
If your insured vehicle is damaged due to an event out of your control, comprehensive coverage will pay for the damage. Comprehensive covers damage from theft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage, weather-related issues and hitting an animal.
- Continuously insured
Being continuously insured means your insurance coverage from one or more insurers is always in effect, without a break or lapse in coverage for any reason.
D
- Declarations page (dec page)
This page is a coverage summary provided by your insurance company and lists the following:
- Types of coverages you’ve elected
- Limit for each coverage
- Cost for each coverage
- Specified properties or vehicles covered by the policy
- Types of coverage for each property or vehicle covered by the policy
- Other information applicable to the policy
- Deductible
The amount you agree to pay out of pocket for damage resulting from a specific loss or accident. Generally, choosing a higher deductible will lower your premium. More on deductibles.
- Depreciation
The estimated decrease in property value over time due to wear and tear, aging, and other related factors.
- Driver improvement course
Drivers can take a voluntary driver improvement course to refresh and enhance their driving skills. Taking this course may qualify you for a discount if you meet eligibility requirements.
- Driver status
People can be added to policies with the following types of driver status:
- Rated: Actively drives vehicles on the policy
- Excluded: Not allowed to drive vehicles on the policy and won’t be covered under your policy in the event of an accident
- Listed: Residents of the household who don’t drive the vehicles on the policy (such as a roommate)
E
- Endorsem*nt
A provision or document added to an insurance policy that changes the original coverage offered in the policy.
- Exclusion
Certain property, persons or circ*mstances noted in a policy as not covered by an insurance policy.
F
- Full coverage
"Full coverage" is a common term used to describe how much auto insurance coverage a person has. Though there is no such thing as "full coverage", it often implies that the policy has more than just liability coverage.
G
- Garaging location
A garaging location is the place you primarily park your vehicle when you're not using it. Generally, this is your primary residence. Learn if you are covered if someone hits your parked car.
- Group policy
A home, vehicle, or health insurance policy sold through an employment-based group, association or special group insurance trust in which members are included under one master policy. Individuals receive certificates of coverage from the group policy.
I
- Independent agent or producer
An insurance agent or producer who represents more than one insurer.
- Individual policy
A home or vehicle insurance policy sold directly to an individual. Individual policies do not require people to be members of an employment-based group, association or special group insurance trust.
- Inflation protection
Automatically adjusts your home or vehicle insurance policy limits to account for increases in costs to repair property.
- Insurance
A contract in which a policyholder pays a set amount to an insurance company for protection against specified losses or perils.
L
- Lapse
Occurs when a policy cancels, or expires, for any reason and replacement coverage is not obtained.
- Liability coverage
Covers losses that an insured person is legally liable for due to negligence or other situations outlined in a home or vehicle insurance policy. Liability coverage applies to both home and vehicle insurance.
- Life insurance
Life insurance is a financial safety net for your family. If you pass away, your life insurance policy will pay a lump sum of money to your beneficiaries. There are a few common types of life insurance: term, final expense and permanent. See more on the different types of life insurance.
- Limits
An insurance coverage limit is selected by you and is the most an insurance company will pay for damages, injuries, or losses that apply to the coverage.
- Loan/Lease Payoff Coverage
Loan/lease payoff coverage, similar to gap coverage, pays the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and what your insurance pays out if your vehicle is declared a total loss or stolen and not recovered, subject to certain limits (no more than 25% of your vehicle’s value, though the exact limit varies by state), minus your comprehensive or collision deductible.
- Loss of Use
Compensation for the insured’s loss of use of the property due to a loss by a covered peril. Link to the page.
M
- Market value
The current value of your home, including the land.
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage
MedPay is an optional insurance coverage that pays for reasonable and necessary medical and funeral expenses for covered persons. These expenses must be incurred as a result of an auto accident.
N
- Named insured
The person in whose name the insurance policy is issued.
- Non-renew insurance
An insurance company's decision not to renew a home or auto insurance policy after the current policy term ends. Companies must appropriately notify policyholders prior to nonrenewing coverage.
O
- Ordinance or Law
This coverage provides for the cost associated with the enforcement of any ordinance or law regulating the construction, repair or demolition of a building or structure that has been damaged by a covered peril.
P
- Peril
The exposure to or cause of a possible loss, such as an injury, destroyed or lost property, etc.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
PIP is a coverage in which the auto insurance company pays, within the specified limits, the medical, hospital and funeral expenses of the insured person, people in the insured vehicle and pedestrians struck by the insured vehicle. PIP coverage is typically available in no-fault automobile insurance states.
- Personal property
Personal property refers to tangible property (other than land) that is movable in some way, such as furniture, jewelry, electronics, etc.
- Pet insurance
Pet insurance covers veterinary bills and medication for your cat and dog by reimbursing you for all or a portion of your out of pocket costs. Learn more about how pet insurance works.
- Policy
A written contract for insurance between an insurer and a policyholder.
- Policy expiration date
Your current insurance policy ends on your policy expiration date, which is found on your current policy documents, declarations page (dec page), insurance identification card or recent cancellation notice. This date should not be confused with payment due dates.
- Policy period
The length of time your policy is active and in force.
- Premium
A premium is the money paid to an insurance company in return for insurance protection. Learn more about car insurance premiums.
- Primary residence
A primary residence is the place where you’ll live for the majority of your policy period.
- Primary use
Primary use is how you mainly use your vehicle. Primary car use options can include commuting or pleasure, as well as business or farm use.
- Principal driver
The person who drives the car most often is the principal driver.
- Property coverage insurance
Protects your home and personal property against loss or damage, as outlined in a home insurance policy, renters insurance policy, or condo insurance policy
- Property damage liability coverage (PD)
If an insured person is legally liable for an accident, PD coverage pays for damage to others' property resulting from the accident. PD also pays for legal defense costs if you’re sued.
R
- Real or tangible property
Land, as well as anything permanently attached to, embedded in or growing on it.
- Reimbursem*nt level
Often associated with health and pet insurance, your level of reimbursem*nt is the amount of money you receive from an insurer in repayment for a covered expense.
- Rental reimbursem*nt coverage
Rental reimbursem*nt provides rental car coverage if you have a claim that is covered under comprehensive or collision coverage. Daily rental amounts are subject to the limit purchased.
- Replacement cost coverage
- On dwelling: Pays for the cost to replace damaged property or structures without factoring in deductions for depreciation, but payment is limited to a maximum dollar amount. Increased Replacement Cost Dwelling is an optional coverage that increases a policy’s Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A) limits to protect policyholders from any unforeseen increase in construction costs.
- On contents: Pays for the cost to replace damaged personal property or items at current costs without factoring in deductions for depreciation.
- Roadside assistance coverage
Roadside assistance provides services such as vehicle towing, flat tire changes, locksmith services and battery jump-starts to customers, who can elect the service for an additional premium if it's not already included on their insurance policy. Roadside assistance is typically available via car insurance, motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, and RV insurance.
S
- Salvage titles
State laws determine if a vehicle requires a salvage title.
- Some states base salvage titles on the extent of damage a vehicle has sustained. For example, Louisiana state law requires a salvage title if damage to the vehicle equals or exceeds 75% of the vehicle's retail value.
- Other states, such as Florida, require a vehicle to have a salvage title if the insurance company declares the vehicle a total loss. These titles generally indicate whether the vehicle is "rebuildable" (can be repaired and driven on the road) or "not rebuildable" (must be sold for parts).
- Other states "brand" or "notate" the vehicle's title when the estimate of damages reaches a certain percentage of the vehicle's retail value (in New York, for example, it is 75%), even if the vehicle hasn't been declared a total loss and is able to be repaired.
- Other states have no guidelines for issuing salvage titles.
- Scheduled Property
A listing of personal property items that are insured for a specific amount true to that item’s value. Items are usually scheduled when they are higher in value and subject to limits of liability within the policy that are lower than their value.
- Second named insured
The named insured or listed agent/broker on a policy may request to designate any other person listed on the policy as a second named insured. The second named insured has the same coverage under the policy as the named insured.
- SR-22
An SR-22 is a document required by the court that demonstrates proof of financial responsibility for persons convicted of certain traffic violations.
- Sub-limit
A specified amount less than the maximum limits on a home insurance policy. Sub-limits are noted for specified coverages or types of property.
- Subrogation
Once your insurer covers a claim you weren't at fault for, subrogation (or "subro") refers to your insurer's right to request reimbursem*nt from the at-fault party.
T
- Travel insurance
Travel insurance covers you against unexpected trip cancellations and interruptions, plus lost or delayed luggage and medical emergencies.
U
- Umbrella insurance
Additional liability insurance coverage that can be purchased separately that provides coverage over and above your homeowners and auto or other vehicle insurance policies. Learn more about umbrella insurance.
- Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM)
If a driver or owner of a vehicle is legally liable for an accident but does not have enough insurance, you can use UIM coverage for injuries, including death, that you, your resident relatives, and occupants of your insured vehicle sustain, up to the limits you select.
- Underwriting
The process an insurance company uses to determine if someone is eligible for insurance and, if so, how much that person should pay for insurance.
- Uninsured motorist coverage (UM)
If a driver or owner of a vehicle does not have insurance and is legally liable for an accident, you can use UM coverage for injuries, including death, that you, your resident relatives, and occupants of your insured vehicle sustain, up to the limits you select.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage
If a driver or owner of a vehicle is legally liable for an accident but doesn’t have any or enough insurance, you can use UMPD to cover damage to your insured vehicle, up to the limits you select. In some states, UMPD is available as an alternative to collision coverage.
V
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The VIN is a combination of 17 letters and numbers that can be used to identify a specific vehicle. No two cars have the same VIN.
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