Auto Insurance Glossary
Every driver in Illinois should have some form of vehicle insurance. Even where it is not required , it is still highly recommended for the amount of money it might save in case of an accident. Insurance is a complex business , with many terms unfamiliar to the general public. Here are some of those terms , to offer a general understanding of the world of auto insurance.
- Absolute Liability: Liability no matter who may be at fault.
- Additional Insured: One of the people listed on an insurance policy.
- Adjuster: The insurance agent who checks out any claim for the insurance company.
- Age Limit: The range of ages a company will consider assuring , both minimum and maximum.
- All-risk Policy : Any policy that will cover all losses , except those explicitly stated to remain uncovered.
- Amendment : A formal document that lists any policy changes. Both the policy holder and the insurance company must sign the amendment for it to be valid.
- Automobile Physical Damage Insurance : An option that covers vehicle damage through fire , theft , collision , or whatever other incidents might be listed on the policy.
- Certificate of Insurance : A certificate given to the customer which delineates the aspects of coverage and insurance benefits as agreed upon when the policy was signed.
- Claim : A request for payment after an incident which is covered by the policy.
- Collision Insurance : An option that will pay for the cost of a collision with another object , including a vehicle , regardless of fault.
- Commission : The portion of money paid to an insurance company paid to a broker or an agent for arranging the car insurance policy.
- Comprehensive Insurance : A type of policy that covers damages caused by factors other than collision.
- Compulsory Liability Insurance : The minimum amount of insurance required by the state.
- Deductible : The minimum amount the customer is responsible to pay in the event of a claim.
- High - Risk Insurer: A company that will insure drivers with a high risk driving record.
- Liability : Protection against payment for causing injury or property damage.
- Personal Injury Protection : Coverage in which the insurer pays medical costs , funeral costs , wage losses , or other types of personal losses to the customer.
- Premium : The amount of money the customer pays to the insurance company in return for the insurance agreed upon in the policy.
- Proof of Loss : Any documents the policy holder produces to support a claim. This allows the insurance company to correctly assess how much should be paid out.
- Renewal : The reinstatement of a policy for another term , as agreed upon by both the policy holder and the insurance company.
- Standard Risk : A customer to be insured under regular terms , as opposed to a high-risk or low-risk customer.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage : A policy that accounts for damages or injury caused by an uninsured (or underinsured) driver.
- Waiver : An agreement to remove some types of coverage from a policy that would otherwise be included.