Insurance Glossary

Plain English explanations of insurance terms used by agents, companies and lawyers and found in your insurance policies.

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pays for the gap between the amount due under a lease and the actual cash value of the car at the time of the accident.

a term applied to a primary care physician

the time, usually 30-31 days, following the premium date, during which you can pay an overdue premium while keeping your insurance policy in force throughout this period.

the required appeal process an HMO/insurance company provides to protest a decision regarding a claim payment

life insurance plans provided often through one’s job, association, or other organization where the individual members of the group receive certificates rather than policies as evidence of their insurance.

an insurance policy that is issued to anyone, regardless of prior medical history.

an option that allows the policyholder the right to buy additional life insurance at specific times in the future, without having to answer questions about his or her health.

the minimum interest rate that the insurance company promises to pay to a policyholder’s cash value.

an agreement by an insurance company to insure a person for as long as premiums are paid.