Insurance Exam Chapter 4
Beneficiary
named person(s) who receive the policy benefits
Policy-owner
person who has all the ownership rights under the policy, pays the premiums, and accepts the policy when delivered
Classification of Risks
1. Preferred 2. Standard 3. Substandard 4. Declined
Applicant
the person applying for the policy who fills out the application to be submitted.
3. Substandard
Higher risks, due to applicants physical condition, disease history, hazardous occultation or dangerous hobbies and habits
Expenses
Including acquisition costs, staff salaries, rent, contingency funds, and due claims payments. Expenses are also so called "Loading"
1. Preferred
Individuals above average in terms of physical condition and lifestyle and present less than average risk
2. Standard
Individuals in average physical condition with average lifestyles and habits
Selection Criteria and Unfair Discrimination
Insurers use discrimination to determine good risks. • Insurers cannot unfairly discriminate against individuals who are part of the same risk class and have the same life expectancy in any policy condition or coverage. Discrimination against the blind, physically or mentally impaired or sexual orientation all qualify as unfair discrimination.
Premium Concepts for Life Insurance
Net Premium - mortality and interest Gross Premium - net premium with expenses (loading) Premium = Mortality Risk + Operating Expenses - Interest
Medical Insurance Bureau (MIB)
Non-profit trade organization - used by life and health insurers - maintains confidential medical information about an applicant for insurability purposes - includes hazardous activities and impairments - does not collect claims information or how much coverage an individual has - Insurers cannot refuse to issue policies solely on information supplied by the MIB
Field Underwriting
Performed by the producer face-to-face with applicatn -reduce chance of adverse selection - collect initial premuim - ensure application is correct and complete - deliver policy
Insured
Person covered under policy
Interest Earnings
Premiums paid in advance before a claim is made so that they may be invested and earn interest - higher interest rates = lower premiums
Application
Primary source of information - Attached to the policy so that it becomes a legal part of the insurance contract
Underwriting
Process used to select, classify and rate risks so they can accurately reflect the amount of risk undertaken Factors of selection Age Gender Build Lifestyle smoking status hobbies hazardous occupations medical history family health history Insurers CANNOT base off national origin, race or sexual orientation
Expensive Mode - Premium Receipts
Producers collect initial premium with the application & issues a premium receipt
4. Declined
Risks are uninsurable because the applicant is too risky for an insurer to provide coverage
Premiums
based on Mortality Morbidity, and Interest Earnings
Premium Payment Mode
frequency payments are made