Insurance Glossary Insurance terms and definitions Coverages and benefits listed below may not be available in your state. If available, some optional coverages and benefits might be offered at an additional charge. Contact The Gena Trust Agency today to learn more. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W L L-SHARE VARIABLE ANNUITIES A form of variable annuity contract usually with short surrender periods and higher mortality and expense risk charges. LADDERING A technique that consists of staggering the maturity dates and the mix of different types of bonds. LAPSE The termination of an insurance policy because a renewal premium is not paid by the end of the grace period. LAW OF LARGE NUMBERS The theory of probability on which the business of insurance is based. Simply put, this mathematical premise says that the larger the group of units insured, such as sport-utility vehicles, the more accurate the predictions of loss will be. LEVEL PREMIUM POLICIES Premiums paid for a life insurance policy or for a deferred annuity that remain the same each year that the contract is in force. Contrast with modified premium policies and single premium policies. LIABILITY INSURANCE Insurance for what the policyholder is legally obligated to pay because of bodily injury or property damage caused to another person. LIFE ANNUITY WITH PERIOD CERTAIN A type of annuity contract that guarantees periodic income payments throughout the lifetime of a named individual—the annuitant—and guarantees that the payments will continue for at least a specified period. If the annuitant dies before the end of that specified period, the payments will continue to be paid until the end of the period to a beneficiary designated by the annuitant. (See Life annuity ) LIFE ANNUITY A type of annuity contract that guarantees periodic income payments throughout the lifetime of a named individual—the annuitant. If a life annuity provides no further benefits after the death of the annuitant, the annuity is known as a straight life annuity. However, some life annuities provide that income payments will be paid either for the life of the annuitant or for a guaranteed period—life income with period certain—or at least until a guaranteed amount has been paid—life income with refund annuity. (See Life annuity with period certain, Life income with refund annuity, Straight life annuity) ) LIFE INCOME WITH REFUND ANNUITY A type of annuity contract that guarantees specified periodic income payments throughout the lifetime of a named individual—the annuitant— and guarantees that a refund will be made if the annuitant dies before the total of the periodic payments made equals the amount paid for the annuity. Also known as refund annuity. (See Life annuity ) LIFE INSURANCE See Ordinary life insurance; Term insurance; Variable life insurance; Whole life insurance LIMITS Maximum amount of insurance that can be paid for a covered loss. LINE Type or kind of insurance, such as personal lines. LIQUIDATION Enables the state insurance department as liquidator or its appointed deputy to wind up the insurance company’s affairs by selling its assets and settling claims upon those assets. After receiving the liquidation order, the liquidator notifies insurance departments in other states and state guaranty funds of the liquidation proceedings. Such insurance company liquidations are not subject to the Federal Bankruptcy Code but to each state’s liquidation statutes. LIQUIDITY The ability and speed with which a security can be converted into cash. LIQUOR LIABILITY Coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by an intoxicated person who was served liquor by the policyholder. LLOYD’S OF LONDON A marketplace where underwriting syndicates, or mini-insurers, gather to sell insurance policies and reinsurance. Each syndicate is managed by an underwriter who decides whether or not to accept the risk. The Lloyd’s market is a major player in the international reinsurance market as well as a primary market for marine insurance and large risks. Originally, Lloyd’s was a London coffee house in the 1600s patronized by shipowners who insured each other’s hulls and cargoes. As Lloyd’s developed, wealthy individuals, called “Names,” placed their personal assets behind insurance risks as a business venture. Increasingly since the 1990s, most of the capital comes from corporations. LLOYDS Corporation formed to market services of a group of underwriters. Does not issue insurance policies or provide insurance protection. Insurance is written by individual underwriters, with each assuming a part of every risk. Has no connection to Lloyd’s of London, and is found primarily in Texas. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE Long-term care (LTC) insurance pays for services to help individuals who are unable to perform certain activities of daily living without assistance, or require supervision due to a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease. LTC is available as individual insurance or through an employer-sponsored or association plan. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE A type of disability income insurance that provides disability income benefits after short-term disability income benefits terminate and continues until the earlier of the date when the insured person returns to work, dies, or becomes eligible for pension benefits. Contrast with short-term disability income insurance. LOSS A reduction in the quality or value of a property, or a legal liability. LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES The sum insurers pay for investigating and settling insurance claims, including the cost of defending a lawsuit in court. LOSS COSTS The portion of an insurance rate used to cover claims and the costs of adjusting claims. Insurance companies typically determine their rates by estimating their future loss costs and adding a provision for expenses, profit, and contingencies. LOSS OF USE A provision in homeowners and renters insurance policies that reimburses policyholders for any extra living expenses due to having to live elsewhere while their home is being restored following a disaster. LOSS RATIO Percentage of each premium dollar an insurer spends on claims. LOSS RESERVES The company’s best estimate of what it will pay for claims, which is periodically readjusted. They represent a liability on the insurer’s balance sheet. Glossary content provided by Insurance Information Institute.
