Insurance

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Insurance'

A contract (policy) in which an individual or entity receives financial protection or reimbursement against losses from an insurance company. The company pools clients' risks to make payments more affordable for the insured.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Insurance'

When shopping around for an insurance policy, look for the best priced package that is right for you - prices can vary from one insurance company to the next. And make sure you know what you want. Some individuals, for example, prefer 24-hour claims service or face-to-face contact with an insurance representative. Also consider the claims settlement process, the amount of the deductible and the extent of the replacement coverage. Insurance companies and the policies they offer are not all the same, so think about more than just the price.

Related Definitions

  • Life Insurance

    A protection against the loss of income that would result if the insured passed away. The named beneficiary receives the proceeds and is thereby safeguarded from the financial impact of ...
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  • Reinsurance

    The practice of insurers transferring portions of risk portfolios to other parties by some form of agreement in order to reduce the likelihood of having to pay a large obligation ...
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  • Term Life Insurance

    A policy with a set duration limit on the coverage period. Once the policy is expired, it is up to the policy owner to decide whether to renew the term life insurance policy or to let ...
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    • Permanent Life Insurance

      An umbrella term for life insurance plans that do not expire (unlike term life insurance) and combine a death benefit with a savings portion. This savings portion can build a cash value ...
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    • Universal Life Insurance

      A type of flexible permanent life insurance offering the low-cost protection of term life insurance as well as a savings element (like whole life insurance) which is invested to provide ...
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    • Whole Life Insurance Policy

      A life insurance contract with level premiums that has both an insurance and an investment component. The insurance component pays a stated amount upon death of the insured. The ...
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    • Underinsurance

      Inadequate insurance coverage by the holder of a policy. In the event of a claim, underinsurance may result in economic losses to the policy holder, since the claim would exceed the ...
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    • Ramani Ayer

      A former president and CEO of Hartford Financial Services. Ayer was born in 1947 in India and immigrated to the United States in 1969 to attend Drexel University, where he earned a ...
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    • Premium

      1. The total cost of an option. 2. The difference between the higher price paid for a fixed-income security and the security's face amount at issue.3. The specified amount of payment ...
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    • Insurance Score

      A rating computed and used by insurance companies that represents the probability of a client filing an insurance claim during his or her coverage. The score is based on the client's ...
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