Car Insurance Glossary

Like all other industries, insurance industry also use specific terms that is often difficult for a layman to understand the meaning. In the following we have tried to simplify the terms as much as possible.

Representative - An insurance sales person; Independent representative who works for or on behalf of an insurance company; Broker is an insurance sales person who deals with agents and companies to find the right insurance policy for the customer. Claim - An insurance owner requests the insurer to pay the loss covered under a policy. Your claims to your company are "first-party claims. When a person claims against the other person's insurance company it is called "third-party claims."

Collision Coverage - Optional insurance covers the damage to your car caused by collision with another car or object. Is frequently required if you have a car loan. 

Comprehensive physical damage coverage - Optional insurance covering damage to your car caused by something other than a collision or the car rolling over, such as fire, theft, vandalism, flood or hail. Is frequently required if you have a car loan. Conditions - These are part of an insurance policy that states the obligations of the insurance owner and those of the insurance company in order for the policy to be in effect. 

Insured Declared Value (IDV) - The premium is calculated on the basis of the IDV of the vehicle, which is basically the depreciated value of the vehicle agreed upon by the insurer and the policyholder. The IDV of a vehicle reduces with age. 

Liability coverage - Offers you and any other party involved in an accident a significant sum to cover mainly the medical expenses. Normally these figures are divided into three parts, first one represents the maximum your insurance will pay an individual, second represents a cover to all individuals and third one covers damage to another car or property at the time of collision.

No Claim Bonus (NCB) - If you do not make a claim during the policy period, a No Claim Bonus is offered on renewals. Insurers reward policyholders by giving them substantial discounts on the Own Damage Premium. However the NCB is applicable only if the policy is renewed within 90 days of the expiry date of the previous policy. 

Own Damage Premium (OD) - Payment of OD premium entitles you to claim compensation in case of theft or damage of your vehicle due to fire, earthquake, etc.

Personal Accident Cover – It covers you not only against Accidental Death and Permanent Total Disablement (PTD), but also against terrorism and acts of terrorism.

Policy Period - It is the period when the policy is in force.

Policy Holder – Owner of the policy.

Premium - The amount a policy holder agrees to pay the insurer for covering the risk.

Proof of loss – Documents you provide to the insurer to support your request for payment of losses. The company uses these documents to determine whether and how much it will pay. For example written repair estimates from auto body shops, police reports, etc.

Uninsured motorist coverage – Uninsured motorist coverage can pay for the injuries caused to you and damage to your property following an accident and the driver at fault does not own a valid insurance.