Definition
Insurance is a contract represented by a 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. Commonly, the policy covers potential risks such as damages to assets, requirements for health care, death benefits for dependents, and compensation for loss of income due to accidents.
Examples
- Automobile Insurance: Provides coverage for vehicles against damages resulting from accidents, theft, and other liabilities.
- Home Insurance: Covers damage to homes due to events like fires, storms, theft, and certain water damage.
- Health Insurance: Pays for medical expenses incurred for treatment of illnesses and injuries.
- Life Insurance: Provides a sum of money to designated beneficiaries upon the death of the insured.
- Business Insurance: Protects businesses from financial losses due to risks such as theft, professional errors, property damage, or lawsuits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a premium?
A: A premium is the amount of money an individual or business must pay for an insurance policy. Premiums are typically paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Q2: What is a deductible?
A: A deductible is the amount of money that the insured must pay out of pocket before the insurance company will pay any expenses.
Q3: What is a claim?
A: A claim is a formal request to an insurance company asking for a payment based on the terms of the insurance policy.
Q4: How do insurance companies make a profit?
A: Insurance companies make profits by collecting premiums and investing them in various financial instruments.
Q5: Is insurance mandatory?
A: Some types of insurance, like automobile insurance and worker’s compensation insurance, are required by law, while others, like health and life insurance, are voluntary but strongly recommended.
- Actuary: A professional who calculates and analyzes statistical data to assess insurance risks.
- Policyholder: The individual or entity that takes out the insurance policy.
- Underwriting: The process of evaluating the risk and determining the terms of the insurance policy.
- Beneficiary: A person designated to receive benefits from an insurance policy.
- Reinsurance: Insurance that an insurance company purchases from another insurance company to insulate itself from significant claims.
Online References to Online Resources
- Investopedia: Insurance
- NAIC: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
- IRDAI: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Fundamentals of Risk and Insurance” by Emmett J. Vaughan and Therese Vaughan.
- “Principles of Risk Management and Insurance” by George E. Rejda and Michael McNamara.
- “Insurance Theory and Practice” by Rob Thoyts.
- “Life Insurance” by Kenneth Black Jr. and Harold D. Skipper Jr.
Fundamentals of Insurance: Risk Management Basics Quiz
### What is the primary function of insurance?
- [x] To transfer risk from an individual to a larger group.
- [ ] To avoid paying taxes.
- [ ] To ensure profit for all policyholders.
- [ ] To provide investment advice.
> **Explanation:** The primary function of insurance is to transfer risk from an individual or entity to a larger group, thus making it easier to bear the financial burden associated with potential losses.
### Which of the following is generally required by law?
- [x] Automobile insurance
- [ ] Life insurance
- [ ] Fire insurance
- [ ] Travel insurance
> **Explanation:** Automobile insurance is commonly required by law to ensure that drivers can financially cover the costs of accident-related damages or injuries they may cause.
### What is a premium in the context of insurance?
- [x] The amount paid for the insurance policy.
- [ ] The profit made by the insurer.
- [ ] The compensation given to a policyholder.
- [ ] The discount given on policies.
> **Explanation:** A premium is the financial cost paid by the policyholder to the insurance company, typically on a periodic basis, in return for coverage.
### What does a deductible represent in an insurance policy?
- [ ] The total amount paid by the insurer.
- [ ] The premium amount.
- [x] The out-of-pocket cost paid by the policyholder before insurance kicks in.
- [ ] The amount refunded to the policyholder.
> **Explanation:** A deductible is the amount that the insured must pay out of pocket before the insurance provider pays the remaining costs as covered in the policy.
### How do insurance companies typically make money?
- [ ] By only collecting premiums with no other financial strategies.
- [x] By collecting premiums and investing them.
- [ ] By only providing loans.
- [ ] By charging high deductibles.
> **Explanation:** Insurance companies make money primarily by collecting premiums and then investing those funds to generate additional income.
### Who is the person designated to receive benefits from a life insurance policy?
- [ ] The insurer
- [ ] The actuary
- [x] The beneficiary
- [ ] The underwriter
> **Explanation:** In the context of a life insurance policy, the beneficiary is the person designated by the policyholder to receive the payout upon their death.
### What is the process of evaluating risks and pricing insurance policies called?
- [ ] Claim processing
- [ ] Premiuming
- [ ] Benefits analysis
- [x] Underwriting
> **Explanation:** Underwriting is the process used by insurers to evaluate the risk of insuring a particular person or entity and to determine the terms and pricing of an insurance policy.
### What is reinsurance?
- [ ] Insurance that covers employees
- [ ] A secondary life insurance policy
- [x] Insurance purchased by an insurance company from another insurance company
- [ ] Self-insurance by large corporations
> **Explanation:** Reinsurance is insurance that an insurance company buys from another insurance company in order to reduce its risk exposure on particular policies.
### In an insurance policy, what is a claim?
- [x] A request for payment based on the insurance policy terms.
- [ ] The policyholder's annual premium.
- [ ] The deductible amount.
- [ ] The underwriter's fee.
> **Explanation:** A claim is a formal request made by the policyholder to the insurance company, seeking payment for a loss covered by the policy.
### Which type of insurance provides coverage for medical expenses?
- [ ] Life insurance
- [ ] Fire insurance
- [ ] Liability insurance
- [x] Health insurance
> **Explanation:** Health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses such as hospital stays, surgeries, and doctor visits, incurred due to illnesses and injuries.
Thank you for embarking on this journey through our comprehensive insurance lexicon and tackling our challenging sample exam quiz questions. Keep striving for excellence in your knowledge of risk management and insurance!
