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     INSURANCE LINGO
 
Customer Service: (8:30AM-5:30PM PST)
P.O. Box 40
Anaheim, CA 92815
 
800-303-5000 main
714-998-3158 fax
 
Claims: (24/7)
800-962-1172 main
650-780-4820 fax
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Actual Cash Value
The fair market value of property; technically, replacement cost less depreciation.
Adjuster
See Claim Adjuster.
Adverse Carrier
Term used to refer to the other party's insurance company.
Agent
An individual who acts as a representative for the company and sells insurance, usually on a commission basis. This individual could be an 'exclusive' or 'non-exclusive' agent.
Agreed Price
The price or cost of repairs agreed to by the insurance company and the repair facility.
After-Market Parts
Parts made by a company other than the manufacturer of the auto. These parts meet or exceed the quality of the manufacturer's parts, but cost less.
Amendment
A change to the basic policy contract. An amendment alters the policy; an endorsement adds to it.
Anti-Theft Device
A device that deters vehicle theft. Vehicles equipped with these devices may entitle you to a discount on your insurance premium.
Appraisal
Process that determines the value of property, or the extent of damage, usually performed by an impartial expert.
Arbitration
A process of settling a dispute through an impartial party. It is used as an alternative to litigation.
At-Fault
The party that is legally liable for the damages in an accident.
Binder
A temporary agreement declaring that the policy is in effect. Used in certain cases to protect a policyholder when it is not possible to issue or endorse the policy immediately.
Bodily Injury
An injury sustained by a person.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Pays damages for bodily injury or death resulting from an accident for which you are at fault and provides you with a legal defense. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Cancellation
Termination of an insurance contract before the end of the policy period, by the insured or insurer.
Carrier
The insurance company or insurer.
Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR)
See SR-22
Claim
Any request or demand for payment under the terms of the insurance policy.
Claimant
Individual or entity presenting a claim.
Claim Examiner
A person responsible for investigating and settling a claim.
CLUEŽ Report
Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report; provides claim history information.
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to an insured vehicle when it hits or is hit by another vehicle or object, or if the vehicle overturns. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Comparative Negligence
A doctrine of law that, in some states, may enable claimants to recover a portion of their damages even when they are partially at fault, or negligent. Each party's negligence is compared to the other's and a claimant's recovery can be reduced by the percentage of his or her own negligence.
Comprehensive Coverage
Pays for damage to your vehicle from theft, vandalism, flood, fire or other covered perils. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Condition
The portion of the insurance contract which outlines the duties and responsibilities of both the insured and the insurance company.
Coverage
Protection and benefits provided in an insurance contract.
Customized Vehicle
A vehicle that has been altered or has equipment or accessories not typically found in a personal vehicle.
Damage
Loss or harm to a person or property.
Damages
Money that one party becomes legally obligated to pay to another party.
Declarations
The part of your policy that includes your name and address; the property that is being insured, its location and description; the policy period; the amount of insurance coverage and the applicable premiums.
Deductible
The portion of a claim you pay out of pocket. Choosing a higher deductible will lower your insurance premiums.
Depreciation
The decrease in value of any property due to wear, tear, and/or time. Generally, depreciation is not an insurable loss.
Discount
A reduction in your premium if you or your vehicle meet certain conditions that are likely to reduce the insurer's losses or expenses.
Endorsement
An addition to the basic policy contract. An endorsement adds to the policy contract; an amendment alters it.
Estimate
An assessment of the cost to repair your damaged property.
Exclusion
Restriction in your insurance policy that limits and may exclude coverage for certain perils, persons, property, or locations.
Expiration Date
This date, found on your declarations page, indicates when your policy coverage runs out. Your renewal policy will start on this date.
First Party
Term used to refer to an insured.
First Party Claims
A claim for damage, loss or injury made by an insured.
Hazard
Anything that increases the chance of an accident occurring.
Homeowner's Insurance
Protects homeowner's from losses to their homes, personal property, and some types of damage or injury to others for which the homeowner is liable. Homeowner's insurance is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Independent Adjuster
An individual who estimates losses on behalf of an insurance company, but is not an employee of that company.
Inspection
Verification of a vehicle's physical condition.
Insurable Interest
Exists when an individual would suffer an economic loss as the result of damage to property or bodily injury.
Insurance
Insurance is a system in which groups of people who have similar chances of suffering a loss transfer their risk of loss to an insurer who pools the risk of many people together. In exchange for payment of premium, the insurer promises to reimburse the person for their covered losses.
Insurance Fraud
The act of falsifying or exaggerating the facts of an accident to an insurance company to obtain payment that would not otherwise be made. Common types of insurance fraud are staged accidents, exaggerated injuries, and inflated medical bills.
Insurance ID Card
A card issued by your insurer containing basic information about your insurance policy. Some states require you to keep an ID card in your vehicle.
Insured
A person or organization covered by an insurance policy.
Insurer
An organization that provides insurance.
Legal Liability
Liability imposed by law, as opposed to liability arising from an agreement or contract.
Liability
Any legally enforceable obligation or responsibility for the injury or damage suffered by another person.
Liability Investigation
The process of gathering information to determine the cause of an accident.
Lien
A claim, charge, or encumbrance on property as a security for the payment of a debt.
Lienholder
A person or organization with a financial interest in property up to the amount of money borrowed or still owed on the property.
Limit
The maximum amount of protection purchased by the insured for a specific coverage.
Limits of Liability
The amount specified in your policy up to which the insurance company will protect you.
Loss
Any measurable dollar cost of damage and/or injury suffered by a person.
Loss of Use
Compensation to a claimant for financial consequences resulting from the inability to use property as the result of accident-related damage.
Malicious Mischief
Intentional damage of personal property with malice of forethought.
Medical Payments Coverage
Pays medical expenses related to an automobile accident. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Misrepresentation
To make written or verbal statements that are untrue or misleading.
Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
A report from the agency that issues your driver's license, listing accidents and violations that appear on your driving record. This report is used to verify information provided by insurance applicants and policyholders.
Motorcycle Insurance
Provides protection from losses resulting from owning and operating motorcycles.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)
An international non-profit organization dedicated to motorcycle safety training, research and awareness. Some applicants who complete MSF courses qualify for discounts on their motorcycle insurance.
Named Insured
The person or entity listed on the policy declarations page.
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
A not-for-profit organization that partners with insurers and law enforcement agencies to facilitate the identification, detection, and prosecution of insurance criminals. The NICB receives support from over 1,000 property/casualty insurance companies.
Negligence
The failure to exercise the care that is expected of a reasonable person in similar circumstances.
No-fault Insurance
May pay for your medical treatment, lost wages, or other accident-related expenses regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract and is not available in all states.
Non-Renewal
When an insurer decides not to renew a policy at the end of its policy period.
Occurrence
An event, or repeated exposure to conditions, which unexpectedly causes injury or damage during the policy period.
Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts
Vehicle parts obtained from the original manufacturer of the vehicle or the supplier of the original part.
Peril
A danger or hazard that can cause a loss, for example, a car collision with an object, or a fire.
Personal Injury Protection
May pay for your medical treatment, lost wages, or other accident-related expenses regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract and is not available in all states.
Personal Property
Property that is not land or connected to land (real estate), such as furniture or jewelry.
Personal Watercraft
Inboard powered craft using a water-jet pump as the primary source of propulsion and operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the craft, rather than in the conventional manner of a boat operator.
Policy
A contract between you and the insurance company.
Policy Change
Any change made to your insurance policy during the period that the policy is in force.
Pre-accident Condition
The state of the vehicle before the accident, including damage not related to the accident, mileage, options, and other factors.
Premium
The price of the insurance policy that the insured pays in exchange for insurance coverage.
Proof of Loss
A statement made regarding the extent of the claim; it may be requested in accordance with the conditions of the policy.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
Pays for damage to someone else's property resulting from an accident for which you are at fault and provides you with a legal defense. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Proximate Cause
An act or omission initiating an unbroken sequence of events resulting in injury to a person or damage to property.
Quote
A statement of the premium that will be charged for insurance coverages based on specific information provided by the person requesting the quote including drivers, vehicles, and driving record.
Rate
Often used as a synonym for premium but actually refers to the base rating units that are used to determine the final premium.
Release
Legally binding contract stating that all obligations past, present or future arising from a particular accident or occurrence have been fulfilled.
Renewal Date
The date that your insurance policy expires and the date that your renewed policy will begin.
Replacement Parts
Several types of parts may be used when your vehicle is repaired: new parts, both original equipment manufacturer and after-market; and recycled parts. New or after-market parts will be used if we can't find like-kind and quality recycled parts. A 5-year-old car, for instance, would be repaired with parts at least as good as the parts that had been in the car. We guarantee the after-market parts used for these repairs for as long as you own the car.
Rider
In motorcycle insurance, a rider is someone who will operate the insured motorcycle.
Risk
The chance of suffering a loss.
Salvage
Damaged property which is taken over by the insurance company after payment of a claim.
SR-22, Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR)
An SR-22 (CFR) is a certificate mandated by the state to verify that an individual is maintaining auto insurance liability coverage. If a person needs an SR-22 (CFR), they will usually be notified by their state's Motor Vehicle Department.
Subrogation
If your vehicle is damaged because of another driver's negligence and you ask us to settle the claim for damage to your vehicle, we will seek payment recovery (including your deductible) from the other party. This process of payment recovery is called subrogation.
Supplement/Supplemental Estimate
Used to cover damage not included in the original estimate.
Third Party
Person or entity not party to an agreement but with an interest in the agreement.
Third Party Claim
Claims for injury or damage to property of a third party alleged to have been caused by the insured.
Tort
A private or civil wrong or injury, other than breach of contract, which violates a person's legally protected right(s), and for which the law may permit a remedy in the form of money damages.
Tortfeasor
One who commits a tort (see above).
Total Loss
Property that has sustained damage so extensive that repairing it is not reasonable. A vehicle is considered a total loss if it cannot be repaired safely, if repairing the vehicle is not economically practical, or if state regulations require us to consider it a total loss.
Underwriting
The process an insurer goes through to determine whether or not it will provide coverage for an applicant.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
In some circumstances, we may pay for your injuries or property damage caused by an uninsured motorist or, in some states, an unidentified driver. In some cases it also includes coverage for underinsured motorists and at-fault drivers with insufficient insurance to pay your claim. This coverage is subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
Vandalism
Destruction or defacement of property.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
A 17-digit number assigned to each vehicle manufactured in the United States after 1980. This number is used for identification purposes.
Warranty
A written guarantee of the integrity of a product and of the manufacturer's responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts.
Watersports Liability Coverage
Provides Liability Coverage when the insured watercraft is being used for watersports including waterskiing, aquaplaning, kneeboarding, or any similar sport where a person or persons are in tow.