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GLOSSARY

Understanding the

Language of Insurance

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Abuse & Molestation Coverage

Protects businesses, like pediatricians and daycares, against claims alleging abuse, misconduct, or inappropriate behavior by employees or staff toward others.

Actual Cash Value

Pays replacement cost minus depreciation (wear and tear).

Adjuster

The person who reviews your claim and helps determine payment.

Bodily Injury

Injury to a person (medical costs, legal costs, etc.).

BOP (Business Owner’s Policy)

Bundles property and general liability coverage into one policy.

Business Interruption Insurance

Replaces lost income and cover ongoing expenses if a business must temporarily close due to a covered loss.

Cancellation

When a policy ends before the term is over.

Claim

A request for your insurance to help pay for a covered loss.

Collision

Helps pay to repair your vehicle after an accident.

Commercial Auto

Covers vehicles used for business purposes.

Commercial Property Coverage

Structural coverage for owned locations or required by lease, property enhancements, or business personal property stored at a location. 

Comprehensive

Helps pay for non-accident damage like theft, vandalism, fire, or storm damage.

Coverage

The protection your policy provides.

Crop Insurance / Living Plant Coverage

Protects the value of growing plants or crops if they are damaged or lost due to covered events like equipment failure, fire, or severe weather.

Cyber Liability

Helps with defense, settlement, and recovery costs after a data breach or cyberattack.

Declarations Page

The “summary page” of your policy with key details like limits, deductibles, and insured names.

Deductible

What you pay out of pocket before insurance starts paying.

Directors & Officers (D&O)

Covers company leaders if they are personally sued over decisions they made while managing or directing the business.

Disability

Covers a portion of an employee's income for injuries or disease sustained away from the job. Required in New York State/FPL

Down Payment

The first payment to start a policy.

Dwelling

The main structure of your home.

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

Protects a business if an employee claims unfair treatment at work, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment.

Endorsement

An add-on that changes your policy (adds, removes, or adjusts coverage).

Equipment Breakdown Coverage

Covers repair or replacement costs when essential equipment or machinery fails due to mechanical or electrical breakdown.

Exclusions

Things your policy does not cover.

Garagekeepers Insurance

Provides coverage if a customer’s vehicle is damaged, stolen, or vandalized while it is in the business’s care, custody, or control.


General Liability

Covers common business risks like slip-and-fall injuries and property damage claims.

Installments

Smaller payments made over time.

Liability

Protection if you’re responsible for someone else’s injury or property damage.

Limit

The maximum amount your policy will pay for a covered claim.

Liquor Liability

Protects against claims arising from injuries or damages caused by a person who was served by the business.

Loss of Use

Helps pay living expenses if your home can’t be lived in due to a covered loss.

Medical Malpractice

A professional liability policy specific to medical professions.

Medical Payments

Helps pay medical bills for injuries on your property, regardless of fault.

Non-Renewal

When an insurer chooses not to renew your policy at the end of the term.

Other Structures

Separate buildings like sheds, detached garages, and fences.

Personal Property

Your belongings: furniture, clothing, electronics, etc.

Policy

Your insurance agreement. It explains what’s covered, what’s not, and what you pay.

Pollution Liability

Covers claims and cleanup costs if a business’s operations cause environmental contamination, such as chemical spills or hazardous material releases.

Premium

The amount you pay for insurance (monthly or yearly).

Product Recall Insurance

Covers the costs of removing a defective or unsafe product from the market, including notification, transportation, and disposal expenses.

Professional Liability (E&O)

Covers claims that your professional services caused a client a financial loss. Doctors, Realtors, Insurance Agents, Architects, Salon Owners, etc.

Property Damage

Damage to someone else’s property.

Replacement Cost

Pays to replace something with a similar new item (without subtracting wear and tear).

Spoilage Coverage

Covers the cost of perishable goods that are lost or damaged due to power outages, refrigeration failure, or equipment breakdown.

Subrogation

When your insurance company tries to recover money from the party at fault after paying a claim.

Surety Bonds

Functions as a  financial guarantee that a business will complete work or meet legal obligations as promised, protecting the client or government if those obligations aren’t fulfilled.

Umbrella Insurance

Extra liability coverage that goes beyond your home/auto or business limits.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Helps protect you if the other driver has little or no insurance.

Utility Interruption Coverage

Provides coverage for lost income or damaged inventory when a business is affected by a power, water, or utility outage beyond its control.

Valuable Articles

Coverage for specific high value personal belongings. Appraisal required.

VIN

Your vehicle identification number (like a car’s fingerprint).

Workers’ Compensation

Covers employee injuries that happen on the job. Required in New York State.

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