In other words, the responses do not offer any additional coverage that does not exist in the insurance policy, and they do not change or take away any coverage that does exist in the insurance policy. They are not statements of a contract or a policy, and all coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of your policy and all applicable endorsements and amendments.
Billing
Coverage
Claims
- Lifetime warranty on repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.
- Trained technicians performing quality repairs to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
- Constant monitoring of all repair facilities to assure that they provide customers with quality repairs and service.
Documents
Your Profile
Insurance Terms
Need help understanding some of the words in your policy or deciphering insurance terms in general? Here's a list of the most common auto and home insurance terms that may help clarify things.
The definitions in this glossary are strictly informational. Please refer to your policy book for a more precise definition of terms as they relate to your specific contract. All coverages are subject to the terms, limits and conditions of your policy contract.
A
Accident Forgiveness
If you have been an accident-free policyholder for more than three years and you experience your first accident, you will be allowed to maintain your Safe Driving History discount. (Availability varies by state.)
Accident Free Discount
By keeping your driving record free of accidents for three years, regardless of the insurance carrier, you will receive a discount. If your record remains free of accidents for six years, an additional discount is applied. (Availability varies by state.)
Additional Living Expense
Reimbursement to the policyholder for living costs when he or she is forced to maintain a residence elsewhere because of a loss of property. Expenses are in excess of normal day-to-day living expenses, and may include motel or hotel lodging, food, laundry, etc.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
The current value of an item of property. It is the amount it would cost to replace an item, minus depreciation.
Additional Insured
A person or interest protected by the insurance policy other than the named insured. For example, a trust or lienholder may also be listed as an additional insured on an auto policy.
Adjuster
A person who investigates and settles claims.
Adverse Carrier
Another person's or group's insurance company.
Amendment
A change to your policy that permanently alters it.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
A system that prevents the wheels on a vehicle from locking under heavy braking. The same system helps drivers to maintain steering control under heavy braking and, in some situations, to shorten braking distances.
Anti-Theft Devices
Devices that may reduce the chance your car will be vandalized or stolen, or increase the chance it will be found if it is stolen (e.g., car alarms, keyless entry, starter disablers, motion detectors, parts etched with the Vehicle Identification Number, recovery systems, etc.).
Appraisal
An impartial review of property to determine its value and, if applicable, the extent of damages.
Arbitration
A method of resolving disputes outside a court of law. Generally, all parties agree to accept the final decision of the arbitrator, and it is legally binding.
At-Fault Accident
An accident in which the driver is considered responsible. To determine if the driver was responsible, an investigation is conducted and, based on that, a percentage of fault is assigned. If the percentage of fault exceeds the standard (which varies by state), it is considered an at-fault accident.
B
Binder
Provides temporary coverage before the policy can be issued or a change made effective to an active policy.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Coverage that pays damages for bodily injury, sickness, disease or death that occur as a result of an accident for which you are at fault.
Business Use
Using a vehicle in connection with your occupation, profession, or business (does not include traveling to and from your principal place of business).
C
Cancellation
Terminating a policy before its expiration date.
Carrier
An insurance company.
Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR)
A certificate mandated by the state to verify that an individual has auto insurance liability coverage. Typically, the state's Motor Vehicle Department will notify you if a CFR (also known as SR-22) is needed.
Chargeable Accident
An at-fault accident that affects premium.
Claim
Any request for payment or coverage under the terms of your insurance policy.
Claimant
An individual presenting a claim.
CLUE Report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange)
A report obtained from an outside company (LexisNexis®) that lists previous claims filed by you or related to your property as reported by an insurance company.
Collision Coverage
Pays for damage to the insured vehicle and its equipment in the case of an accident with another vehicle or striking a fixed object.
Commercial Vehicle
A vehicle not primarily used for personal use - generally titled to a business or covered by business or commercial insurance.
Comparative Negligence
A law that, in some states, may enable claimants to recover a portion of their damages even when they are partially at fault. Each party's negligence is compared to the other's and a claimant's recovery can be reduced by the percentage of his or her own negligence.
Comprehensive Coverage
Pays for non-collision damages to the insured vehicle and its equipment (e.g.,theft, striking an animal, glass breakage, vandalism, fire, natural causes).
Contributory Negligence
A law that, in some states, may prevent claimants from recovering any portion of their damages if they are even partially at fault.
Coverage
Specific protection provided by a policy against loss or damages, up to the limits of liability.
Covered Person
This refers to the individuals (named insured, spouse, resident relatives, etc.) insured under a policy.
D
Damages
Generally, money that one party becomes legally obligated to pay to another party.
Declaration Page
The initial part of your policy that includes your name and address, a description and location of the property being insured, the policy period, the selected coverage limits, and the applicable premiums.
Deductible
The portion of the loss the policyholder is required to pay before policy coverage begins.
Depreciation
The decrease or loss in value caused by age, wear or market conditions.
Discount
A reduction in premium for certain conditions that you, your home, or your vehicle may meet.
Dwelling Coverage
Protects your house and any structures attached to your home, like the garage and the screened porch. Coverage should be based on the current cost to rebuild your home, not including the value of the land.
E
Effective Date
The date on which the insurance contract becomes effective or the date the insured requests the policy to be amended. It may become effective the day after the postmarked date of payment or on the day it is credit card bound.
Endorsement
Written modification to a policy that adds something to the original.
Escrow Account
An account with a mortgage company where a client can have premium withdrawn for homeowners insurance.
Estimate
A professional assessment of the cost to repair damaged property. The actual cost may vary depending on a variety of factors.
Exclusion
A restriction in the policy that limits or excludes coverage for certain perils, persons, property or locations.
Expiration Date
The date your insurance contract expires as shown on the declaration page.
G
GAP Coverage
Optional coverage that would pay the difference between the market value of a totaled car and the amount you still owe on your loan or lease.
Good Student Discount
You may receive a discount for students under the age of 25 with average grades of "B" or better, or that ranked in the upper 20% on a national standardized test in the last twelve months. (Availability varies by state.)
H
Hazard
A condition that introduces or increases the probability that a loss will occur.
I
ID Card
A card issued by your insurer containing basic information about your policy. Some states require you to keep an ID card in your vehicle.
Inception Date
The date coverage begins on an insurance policy.
Increased Special Limits
An endorsement that allows an increased amount of coverage for specific possessions (but it does not change or broaden the type of coverage afforded in the policy).
Indemnification
Providing compensation for a loss with the intent to restore an individual or entity to the approximate financial position prior to the loss.
Independent Adjuster
An individual who investigates or estimates losses on behalf of an insurance company, but is not an employee of that company.
Inland Marine Insurance
Covers items that may be transported from one place to another, as well as items of unique value.
Insurance Score
A numerical score based on factors such as: bill-paying history, number and type of accounts with late payments, collection actions, outstanding debt, and age of accounts. Insurance scores should not be confused with credit scores, which use some of these same elements.In some states, this score is one factor used to determine premium.
Insured
A person or organization covered by an insurance policy.
Insurer
An organization that provides insurance.
L
Lapse in Coverage
The cancellation or termination of a policy for failure to pay premium, or when the policy contract is void for other reasons.
Liability Coverage (also known as Personal Liability Coverage or Third Party Insurance)
Liability coverage offers protection against property damage or bodily injury to a third party that you or a member of your household accidentally caused. This coverage applies only if the policyholder is considered legally responsible for the damage.
Liability coverage is a broad term - for example, bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage are types of liability coverage.
Lien
A claim or charge on property as a security for the payment of a debt.
Lienholder/Loss Payee
A person or organization with a financial interest in property up to the amount of money borrowed or still owed on the property.
Limits (or Limits of Liability)
The maximum sum of money an insurance company agrees to pay under a policy in the event of a covered loss. Generally, for auto insurance, limits are identified and paid on a per person and per occurrence basis. Typically, for home insurance, limits are based on replacement cost.
Longevity Discount
You may receive a discount if you maintain a homeowners policy for at least five years. The discount may increase after ten years.
Loss
Any measurable dollar cost of damage and/or injury suffered by a person.
Loss Payee/Lienholder
A person or organization with a financial interest in property up to the amount of money borrowed or still owed on the property.
Loss of Use Coverage
When a loss occurs due to a covered peril and a dwelling becomes uninhabitable, the cost of additional living expenses for maintaining a normal standard of living is covered.
Loss Assessment
An endorsement that provides coverage to pay the policyholder's share of any assessment charged to all property owners by an association (home or condominium).
Loss Payable
A policy provision that ensures that in the case of a total loss a lienholder is paid the amount outstanding on a loan before the insured is paid.
Loyalty Discount/Multi-Policy Discount
If you purchase more than one policy with our company, you may receive a discount.
M
Major Violation
Serious traffic citations such as driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, vehicular homicide, etc.
Mature Driver Improvement Course Discount
You may qualify for a discount if you are 55 or older and have completed a state-approved driver improvement course within the past three years. (Availability varies by state.)
Medical Expense Coverage
Coverage that pays for medical and hospital expenses for the insured and any other person injured as a result of an accident in the insured vehicle.
Medical Payments to Others Coverage
Homeowner's coverage that compensates others who sustain an injury while on your property, or whom you injure accidentally (excluding the people who live in your house).
Minor Violation
Less serious traffic citations such as failure to stop or minor speeding.
Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
A report from the Department of Motor Vehicles that lists any accidents and violations on your driving record.
Moving Violation
A traffic citation such as speeding or failure to obey a traffic signal or sign.
Multi-Car Discount
You may receive a discount if you insure two or more cars on the same policy.(Availability varies by state.)
Multi-Policy Discount/Loyalty Discount
If you purchase more than one policy with our company, you may receive a discount.
N
Named Insured
The person or entity listed on the policy declaration page.
Negligence
The failure to exhibit the behavior expected of a reasonable person in similar circumstances.
No-Fault Insurance
Coverage that provides reimbursement for losses incurred by automobile accident victims regardless of who caused the accident.(Availability varies by state.)
Not-At-Fault Accident
An incident where the driver is typically less than 50% at fault (but percentage varies by state).
Non-Renewal
When an insurer does not renew a policy at the end of the policy period.
O
Other Structures Coverage
Coverage (typically 10% of the dwelling coverage value) for structures not attached to the home such as utility sheds, gazebos, unconnected fences and above-ground pools.
Optional Coverages
Coverages not included as part of a basic policy, but added at the insured's or applicant's request (e.g., towing, rental reimbursement, etc.).
P
Passive Restraint Discount
A discount that may be available if your vehicle is equipped with automatic seat belts or airbags. (Availability varies by state.)
Per Occurrence Limit
The maximum amount an insurance company will pay for all claims arising from a single incident.
Per Person Limit
The maximum amount an insurance company will pay for any one person's injuries arising from a single incident.
Peril
A danger or hazard that can cause a loss.
Personal Injury Endorsement
An endorsement used to protect against personal injury offenses to others, including: false arrest, detention, imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, wrongful eviction, wrongful entry.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Coverage that pays for medical treatment, lost wages, funeral expenses of the insured, others in the insured vehicle or pedestrians struck by an insured vehicle.
Personal Liability Coverage
See liability coverage.
Personal Property
Property that is portable or mobile, such as furniture or jewelry. Does not include land (real estate) or permanent structures (including fixtures).
Personal Property Coverage
Coverage (typically 50%-70% of dwelling coverage value) to replace belongings after a loss at their actual cash value (i.e., original value minus depreciation).However, there are restrictions on the amount a standard homeowners policy will pay on some items - jewelry or furs, for example - but you can buy additional coverage for them separately.
Policy
A written contract of insurance.
Policyholder
A person who pays a premium to an insurance company in exchange for insurance protection.
Premium
The amount an insured pays in exchange for insurance coverage.
Primary Operator
The most frequent driver of a particular vehicle.
Proof of Insurance (POI)
A copy of a current insurance policy, declaration page, or ID card showing prior coverage, including dates.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
Pays for damage to someone else's property resulting from an accident for which you are at fault and provides your legal defense.
Physical Damage Coverage
Coverage that applies to car damage by fire, windstorm, hail, theft, or collision. Is sometimes referred to as Collision, Comprehensive or Other Than Collision coverage.
Q
Quote
A preliminary statement of the cost of insurance coverages based on the information provided at the time of the request.
R
Rate
Refers to the base rating units that are used to determine a final premium.
Reinstate
To reactivate a canceled policy that had a lapse in coverage.
Release
Legally binding contract stating that all obligations past, present or future arising from a particular accident or occurrence have been fulfilled.
Rental Reimbursement
Optional coverage that covers rental vehicle costs (to a specified dollar amount) when an insured vehicle is disabled as the result of a covered accident or loss.
Renewal Date
The date one policy expires and a renewed policy begins.
Replacement Cost Coverage
Provides coverage to replace personal items (such as clothes, furniture, electronics, etc.) damaged in a covered loss at their current cost.
Replacement Cost Value
The amount of money it would cost to repair or replace an item with one of the same kind and quality as the original was at the time of loss (without deduction for depreciation).
Roadside Assistance
If you add optional towing coverage to your policy, you may receive assistance if you: have a flat tire, have a dead battery, get locked out of your car, get stuck in mud or snow, run out of gas.
S
Safe Driving History Discount
A discount may be applied to your policy if you've had no at-fault accidents within the last three years. (Availability varies by state.)
Salvage
Damaged property taken by the insurance company after a claim has been settled.
Scheduled Personal Property (or Personal Property Coverage)
An endorsement used to cover individual items for a specified value, such as jewelry, furs, fine art, musical instruments, etc. Items are covered under most circumstances and with no deductible.
SR-22
A certificate mandated by the state to verify that an individual has auto insurance liability coverage. Typically, the state's Motor Vehicle Department will notify you if an SR-22 (also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility) is needed.
Student Away Discount
You may receive a discount for full-time students who reside at an educational institution more than 100 miles away. (Availability varies by state.)
Subrogation
A process in which an insurance company pursues the party at fault to recover any benefits paid under the policy.
Subscription Fire Department
A type of fire department that sells its service directly to customers, rather than receiving public funding. Policyholders living in areas with subscription fire departments must have a contract in order to obtain insurance coverage.
T
Tenure Discount
You may receive a discount if you maintain an auto policy for at least three years. The discount may increase after six years and again after ten years.
Term
The period of time an insurance policy coverage is effective.
Third Party
A person or entity who is not a signatory to an agreement. A third party may have rights, benefits and obligations relating to that agreement (for example, the other driver in an accident, or a lienholder or mortgage company).
Third Party Insurance
See Liability Coverage.
Title
A legal document that provides evidence of property ownership.
Tort
An injury or wrong (other than a breach of contract) committed on the person or property of another for which a civil (as opposed to criminal) action can be brought.
Total Loss
When damage to a vehicle is:
- So severe that it cannot be repaired safely, or
- Repairing the vehicle is not economically practical, or
- State law deems the vehicle unrepairable based on the amount of damage the vehicle sustained in the accident.
U
Umbrella Insurance (Personal Liability Umbrella)
A policy that provides liability coverage limits beyond that provided under your homeowners, renters or automobile insurance. Coverage begins after other coverage under those other policies has been exhausted.
Underwriting
A systematic technique for evaluating, selecting and classifying risks to establish and verify the appropriate coverages and rates.
Uninsured Motorist
An individual who owns or operates an automobile without liability insurance.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
Compensates you for damages for which you may be legally entitled to collect from an owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle. These benefits may include payment for certain medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering subject to your policy's limits and conditions.
Underinsured Motorist
An individual whose coverage limits are less than the damages you sustain in a covered loss.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
Compensates you for injuries for which you may be legally entitled to collect from an owner or operator of an underinsured motor vehicle, subject to your policy's limits and conditions.
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD)
Compensates you for damages to your vehicle for which you may be legally entitled to collect from an owner or operator of an uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle. These benefits are subject to your policy's limits and conditions.
V
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
A 17-digit number assigned to each vehicle manufactured in the
W
Water Back-up Endorsement
An endorsement to cover damages due to a sump pump failure or a sewer back-up. These items are not covered in a standard home policy.
Workers Compensation Coverage
Provides coverage for medical costs and lost wages (up to statutory limits). For employees injured within the course and scope of their employment, your homeowners policy provides limited benefits, as required under the Workers Compensation law, to some employees in your home.
© 2024 American Family Connect Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance is the brand name of American Family Connect Property and Casualty Insurance Company and American Family Connect Insurance Company, Madison, WI, both of which have sole financial responsibility for their own products. Insurance is underwritten by either company, depending on the state. The American Family Connect Insurance Agency, Inc., places policies with related and unrelated insurers. Each insurer is solely responsible for the claims on its policies and pays the Agency for policies sold. Both underwriting companies and the Agency are subsidiaries of American Family Insurance Mutual Holding Company.
Insurance availability, discounts and savings may vary by region or state in accordance with state filings and applicable law. Certain restrictions and limitations apply.