Insurance Glossary

Terms Commonly Used in Private Passenger Automobile Policies

Actual Cash Value (ACV) - Unless otherwise defined in the policy, actual cash value in California means fair market value. The fair market value of an item is the dollar

amount that a knowledgeable buyer (under no unusual pressure) is willing to pay, and a knowledgeable seller (under no unusual pressure) is willing to accept.

Additional Equipment Endorsement - Provides coverage for certain parts and equipment that are not installed by the manufacturer. Coverage is subject to a maximum

limit listed on the endorsement.

Adjuster - The person who evaluates the damage caused by an accident or other covered loss and determines the amount to be paid under the policy terms.

Agent - A licensed individual or organization authorized to sell and service insurance policies for an insurance company.

Assigned Risk - A driver who is not acceptable to a standard lines insurance company due to a poor driving record and is assigned to an insurance company participating

in the assigned risk pool. All insurance companies licensed to sell auto insurance in California agree to accept a share of high-risk drivers based on the percentage of auto

policies they issue in the state. (See CAARP)

Automobile Insurance - A type of insurance that protects against losses involving automobiles. Auto policies contain a variety of coverages that can be purchased

depending upon the needs and wants of the policyholder. Liability for bodily injury and property damage, medical payments, uninsured motorist, comprehensive, and

collision are some of the common coverages offered under an auto insurance policy.

Binder - A short-term agreement that provides temporary insurance coverage until the policy can be issued or delivered. Broker - A licensed individual or organization

who, on your behalf, sells and services insurance policies.

Broker-Agent - A licensed individual who can act as an agent representing one or more insurance companies and also as a broker dealing with one or more insurance

companies representing your interests.

Broker Fee - Any fee charged by an insurance broker to provide services that arise out of the transaction of insurance.

Broker Fee Agreement - The contract between the policyholder and the broker which also specifies the charges for the services rendered by the broker.

California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) - This plan is available when a driver is unable to purchase private passenger or commercial liability auto

coverage because of a poor driving record. (See Assigned Risk)

Cancellation - The termination of an insurance policy before its normal expiration date.

Claim - Notice to an insurance company that a loss has occurred which may be covered under the terms and conditions of the policy.

Commission - A portion of the policy premium that is paid to an agent by the insurance company as compensation for the agent's work.

Commissioner of Insurance - This is the title of the head of the California Department of Insurance.

Comparative Negligence - The percentage of fault shared by each driver in an accident in which both contribute to causing the collision.

Comprehensive Coverage - Pays for damage to your car caused by reason other than collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm, flood, et cetera.

Collision - Pays for damage to your car caused by physical contact with another vehicle or with another object, such as a tree, boulder, guardrail, structure, or person.

Declarations (DEC) Page - Usually the first page of an insurance policy that contains the full legal name of your insurance company, your name and address, the policy

number, effective and expiration dates, premium payable, the amount and types of coverage, deductibles, the vehicle(s) insured, and the vehicle identification numbers

(VIN).

Deductible - The amount of the loss that the policyholder is responsible to pay up-front before covered benefits from the insurance company are payable. This is

applicable to comprehensive or collision coverage only.

Endorsement - A written agreement that changes the terms of an insurance policy by adding or subtracting coverage.

Exclusion - A contractual provision in an insurance policy that denies or restricts coverage for certain perils, persons, property, or locations.

First Party - The policyholder (insured) in an insurance contract. Insured - The policyholder(s) entitled to covered benefits in case of an accident or loss.

Insurer - The insurance company who issues the insurance and agrees to pay for losses and provide covered benefits.

Liability Insurance - Coverage for a policyholder's legal liability resulting from injuries to other persons or damage to their property.

License - A certificate of authority issued by the Department of Insurance to an insurer, agent, broker, or broker-agent to transact insurance business.

Limits - The maximum amount of benefits the insurance company agrees to pay in the event of a loss.

Loan Gap Coverage - This coverage pays the difference between the fair market value of your vehicle and the loan balance owed to your lender. This coverage is

available on new vehicles only.

Low Cost Auto - A pilot program for the residents of eligible counties only, who meet specific lower income requirements. (Administered by CAARP)

Medical Payments Coverage - Covers the medical costs (up to the specified limit) resulting from an auto accident for you, your family, or others in your car. This

coverage pays regardless of fault.

Non-Renewal - The termination of an insurance policy at its normal expiration date.

Personal Lines - This term is used to refer to insurance for individuals and families, such as private passenger automobile and homeowner policies.

Policy - A contract that states the rights and duties of the insurance company and the insured.

Premium - The price of insurance paid to the insurance company for a policy.

Premium Finance Company - A lending institution that finances automobile insurance premium for a fee.

Private Passenger Automobile - Four-wheeled motor vehicles of the private passenger, station wagon, or van type. Private passenger automobiles are designed for use

on public highways and subject to motor vehicle registration.

Producer - A term used by the insurance industry to refer to agents and brokers.

Quotation - An estimate of the cost of insurance based on the information supplied to the agent, broker, or insurance company.

Recision - The cancellation of a policy back to its effective date resulting in a return of all premium charged.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage - This coverage pays your expenses to rent an auto if you have a loss covered under Comprehensive or Collision benefits. Coverage

is sold based on a daily amount of expense subject to a maximum limit.

Replacement Cost - The amount that it costs to replace lost or damaged property with new property of like kind or quality in the local market.

Salvage - Damaged policyholder property that is legally signed over to an insurer in a loss settlement. Insurance companies sell salvaged property in order to reduce

their overall monetary loss.

Second Party - The insurance company in an insurance contract.

Subrogation - The process of recovering the amount of claims damages paid out to a policyholder from the legally liable party. When a company pursues the legally

liable third party, they are required to include the policyholder's deductible in the recovery process.

Surcharge - An extra charge applied to the premium by an insurance company, usually applied to an at-fault accident or moving violation.

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Third Party - An individual other than the policyholder or the insurance company who has suffered a loss and may be able to collect compensation under the policy due

to the negligent acts or omissions of the policyholder.

Total Loss - Damage or destruction to real or personal property to such extent that it cannot be rebuilt or repaired to its condition prior to the loss or when it would be

cost prohibitive to repair or rebuild in comparison to the value of the property prior to the loss.

Towing Coverage - Addition to an automobile policy that pays a specified amount for towing and related labor costs.

Underinsured Motorist Endorsement - Addition to a Personal Automobile Policy (PAP) that covers an insured who is involved in a collision with a driver who does not

have sufficient liability insurance to pay for the damages.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) - Provides coverage for a policyholder involved in a collision with a driver who does not have liability insurance or who does not

have sufficient liability limits to pay for damages. UMC comes in two parts: uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) and uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD).

UMBI coverage pays for injuries to you or any person in your car when there is a collision with an uninsured driver. UMPD coverage pays for the property damage to your

car when there is a collision with an identified uninsured driver. UMC must be offered when you purchase liability coverage for your auto. If you decline UMC, you must

sign a declination waiver.

Disclaimer

We are required by law to disclose the following:

1. This brochure is for informational purposes only.

2. The actual terms of an insurance policy and related law prevail over the information provided in this brochure.

3. In the case of a dispute, the insurance policy is controlling and a court of law will rely on the policy as it is written to resolve the dispute.

4. The policy is the only document that describes what the insurance company will pay.

5. The information contained in this brochure does not create rights or obligations on the part of the insured, the insurer, the agent, the broker, or the state.

This brochure is not intended to be a substitute for the actual insurance policy.

6. Where to Call When You Need Assistance

Automobile Insurance Resources

• California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program For more information about this state-sponsored plan for low-income drivers, call (866) 602-8861

• California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) For more information about the State's insurance plan for high-risk drivers, call (800) 622-0954

Web Sites Independent Insurance Agents of America For information on auto insurance and where to find an independent agent near you, access their Web site at

• Insurance Information Institute For information about auto insurance and links to other sites related to auto insurance, access their Web site at

• California Department of Insurance For information to help consumers on complaints or on the purchase of automobile insurance, access their Web site.