Actual Cash Value – Cost of replacing damaged or destroyed property with comparable new property, minus depreciation and obsolescence. For example, a 10-year-old sofa will not be replaced at current full value because of a decade of depreciation.

Replacement Cost – The dollar amount needed to replace damaged personal property or dwelling property without deducting for depreciation but limited by the maximum dollar amount shown on the declarations page of the policy.

Collision Insurance – Covers physical damage to the insured’s automobile (other than that covered under comprehensive insurance) resulting from contact with
another inanimate object.

Comprehensive Insurance – Auto insurance coverage providing protection in the event of physical damage (other than collision) or theft of the insured car. For
example, fire damage or a cracked windshield would be covered under the comprehensive section.

Deductible – Amount of loss that the insured pays before the insurance kicks in.

Hurricane Deductible – Amount you must pay out-of-pocket before hurricane insurance will kick in. Many insurers in hurricane-prone states are selling homeowners insurance policies with percentage deductibles for storm damage, instead of the traditional deductibles used for claims such as fire and theft. Percentage deductibles vary from one percent of a home’s insured value to 15 percent, depending on many factors that differ by and state and insurer.

Indemnity – Restoration to the victim of a loss by payment, repair or replacement.

Liability Insurance – Insurance that pays and renders service on behalf of an insured for loss arising out of his responsibility, due to negligence, to others imposed by law or assumed by contract.

Named Perils – Perils specifically covered on insured property.

Premium – The price of insurance protection for a specified risk for a specified period of time.

Subrogation – The right of an insurer who has taken over another’s loss also to take over the person’s right to pursue remedies against a third party.

Umbrella Policy – Coverage for losses above the limit of an underlying policy or policies such as homeowners and auto insurance. While it applies to losses over the dollar amount in the underlying policies, terms of coverage are sometimes broader than those of underlying policies.