Business Glossary

specifications dealing with exclusions, policy requirements, cancellations and related matters.

1. Perils-Most policies exclude enemy attack, invasions, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, civil war, unsurped power, neglect of an insured to reasonably preserve damaged property from further loss, and explosion or riot unless caused by fire. Other exclusions may be specified in a policy. Among them are concealment and fraud by the insured; increased hazard by an insured's actions; and vacancy in an insured building for at least 60 consecutive days.
2. Requirements-In the event of a loss the insured must give immediate written notice to the insurance company; protect the insured property from further damage; separate damaged from undamaged property; give the company a complete inventory of the damaged or destroyed property, with signed proof of loss within 60 days; and submit to the company's examination of damaged or destroyed property.
3. other insurance-If two or more separate policies over the same loss, each will pay no more than its pro rata share of the loss.
4. subrogation-After the company pays the insured for a loss incurred as the result of actions of a third party, the company reserves the right to seek recovery for damages against that third party. (The insured has passed the right of suit against the third party to the insurance company.)
5. Cancellation-The insured and the insurance company can terminate the policy under specified circumstances. The insured can terminate the policy at any time, and will receive a return of part of the premium, less an amount for administrative expenses. The insurance company can cancel a property policy by sending the insured written notice at least 5 days before the intended date of cancellation. For a liability policy, after the policy has been renewed the first time, or has been in force for at least 60 days, the insurance company can cancel only for causes such as failure of an insured to pay a premium when due, if an insured is involved in illegal activities, drives while intoxicated, or is under the influence of drugs.

relationship between an insured person or property and the potential beneficiary of the policy. For example, a wife has an insurable interest in her husband's life, because she would be financially harmed if he were to die. Therefore, she could receive the proceeds of the insurance policy if he were to die while the policy was in force. If there is no insurable interest, an insurance company will not issue a policy.