Alabama Adjusters License
Accident Insurance - Answers -Covers expenses associated with a covered accident
and can extend to ambulance and emergency room
expenses, intensive care, and hospital costs. Accident insurance also provides for loss
of income, and a
death benefit if injuries prove fatal
Accumulated Depreciation - Answers -The total decrease in an item's value over a
period of time. Formula: (annual depreciation x number of
years used). Subtract this number from the item's replacement cost to get its actual
cash value (ACV).
Acreage Reporting Date - Answers -In crop insurance, the deadline for providing the
insurer with an acreage report, which is used to
determine the amount of coverage needed and the premium charged for a particular
crop.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) - Answers -A valuation method used by insurers to reflect an
item's current market value right before being damaged
or destroyed. Formula: (replacement cost - accumulated depreciation)
Actual Production History - Answers -A history of a farmer's crop yields over a multi-
year period, which is used to determine the normal
production level of a farm.
Adhesion - Answers -Characteristic of an insurance contract. Means that one party (the
insurer) sets the terms, and the other
(the policyholder) can "take it or leave it.
Adjusted Gross Revenue
(Crop Insurance) - Answers -Narrowest (and least expensive) form of crop revenue
insurance. Insures farm revenue as a whole
instead of individual crops. Guarantees a percentage of the insured farm's average
revenue.
Adjuster - Answers -An agent who, for compensation, processes insurance claims. The
adjuster investigates the damages,
evaluates the claim, and makes a fair and equitable settlement based on the insurance
contract. Can
represent either the insured or the insurer.
,Adjuster - Emergency - Answers -Adjusters who are temporarily licensed by the
insurance commissioner to handle claims during
catastrophes or emergencies that produce an overwhelming number of claims in a short
period of time.
Adjuster - Independent - Answers -Self-employed adjusters who contract with multiple
insurers at the same time. Paid on a commission or
fee-plus-expenses basis for each claim. Also called: Fee Adjuster, Bureau Adjuster.
Adjuster - Public - Answers -An adjuster who is hired to represent the claimant and help
determine a fair indemnification. Usually
specializes in appraisals and negotiation. Paid commission, usually a percentage of
final settlement.
Adjuster - Staff - Answers -Salaried employee of one insurance company who can work
locally, regionally, or nationally. Also called:
Company Adjuster
Advance Payment
Settlement - Answers -A settlement option that lets the insurer offer some financial relief
to the claimant before the claim has
been fully settled. The insurer makes advance payments to the claimant, which are then
subtracted from
the final settlement amount. Often used when a claimant suffers bodily injury and is
unable to work.
Agency Authority - Answers -The agent's authority to act on behalf of someone else (the
principal), usually an insurer. This authority is
derived from the agent's contract with the principal. It can be apparent, express, or
implied
Agency Authority -
Apparent - Answers -Indirect authority that the agent can reasonably be assumed to
have, based on appearances. If an
adjuster is equipped to represent an insurer (with the insurer's permission), then an
individual can assume
that the adjuster has the authority to act on the insurer's behalf.
Agency Authority -
Express - Answers -Authority that is expressly given to the agent in writing. Allows the
agent to act on behalf of the principal.
Agency Authority - Implied - Answers -Authority that an agent possesses by implication
of her behavior, regardless of whether this authority is
granted in writing. For example, a person portraying herself as a representative for an
insurance
,company, even though she is not employed by that company.
Agent (Insurance) - Answers -Someone who has received authority from an insurer to
sell or service insurance policies.
Agreed Value - Answers -A valued policy in which the insurer and the insured agree to a
specific value for an item, appraised at the
inception of the policy. Often used to insure items whose value is difficult to quantify,
such as antiques or
fine art. Also called a Guaranteed Value policy.
Agreement - Answers -One of the four requirements of a legally binding contract. All
parties involved must agree to the terms of
the contract. Can also refer to a binder, which is the preliminary substance of a contract.
Agricultural Producer - Answers -A business that grows, harvests, and sells crops for
profit.
Aleatory - Answers -A characteristic of an insurance contract. Means "depending on an
unknown future event." An insurance
contract will only pay IF and WHEN covered damages occur. Neither party knows how
much the contract
will end up paying when they enter into the contract.
Answer - Answers -In liability cases, the defendant's response to a complaint. There are
three possible answers: 1) accept
complaint and pay for damages, 2) deny the complaint, or 3) accept the complaint with
a right to insert
evidence into the case.
Annual Depreciation - Answers -An item's replacement cost divided by the number of
years in its expected lifespan.
Annual Transit - Answers -An uncontrolled inland marine form that covers loss of goods
in transit. It applies to all of the insured's
shipments during the year.
Appraisal - Answers -A dispute resolution method which allows the claimant and the
insurer each to select an appraiser. The
two appraisers in turn select an umpire. The appraisers then work together to determine
a settlement
amount. If they cannot agree, the umpire steps in. Agreement by any two of the three is
binding.
Arbitration - Answers -A dispute resolution method in which the opposing parties each
submit their evidence to a mutuallyagreed-
, upon and neutral third party, called an arbitrator. The arbitrator reviews the positions of
each
opposing side and makes a final and legally binding decision.
Arbitrator - Answers -The mutually-agreed-upon and neutral third party in an arbitration
who reviews the positions of each
opposing side before making a final and legally binding decision.
Artificially Generated
Current - Answers -Also called "artificial current." A peril covered in some property
insurance policies. It includes sudden and
accidental damage from any electrical current, except currents that are naturally
generated, such as
lightning or static electricity.
Auto Policy - Answers -Insurance policy designed to protect the policyholder while
owning, occupying, or operating a vehicle.
Usually combines liability coverage and property coverage into one policy.
Automobile - Answers -In insurance policies, automobile generally means any vehicle
designed for use on public roads.
Automobile No-Fault Laws - Answers -Laws in effect in some states that require any
owner of a vehicle to purchase no-fault insurance; that is,
insurance that indemnifies the insured, regardless of who was at fault in an accident.
No-fault laws also
restrict the insured's right to sue the at-fault party.
Aviation - Answers -Aviation insurance combines hull insurance for the aircraft and
liability insurance for any damage to
others' property or to people who are not passengers.
Average Weekly Wage
(AWW) - Answers -The average amount of income that an employee earns each week
while able to perform normal job
duties. When an employee is injured on the job, his workers' compensation income
benefits will depend
on his AWW before the injury.
Bailee - Answers -An individual or company that receives the property of someone else
for a special purpose and returns
the property after use.
Bailee Coverage - Answers -Reimburses a bailee's customer for damage to the
customer's property while in the bailee's control
Accident Insurance - Answers -Covers expenses associated with a covered accident
and can extend to ambulance and emergency room
expenses, intensive care, and hospital costs. Accident insurance also provides for loss
of income, and a
death benefit if injuries prove fatal
Accumulated Depreciation - Answers -The total decrease in an item's value over a
period of time. Formula: (annual depreciation x number of
years used). Subtract this number from the item's replacement cost to get its actual
cash value (ACV).
Acreage Reporting Date - Answers -In crop insurance, the deadline for providing the
insurer with an acreage report, which is used to
determine the amount of coverage needed and the premium charged for a particular
crop.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) - Answers -A valuation method used by insurers to reflect an
item's current market value right before being damaged
or destroyed. Formula: (replacement cost - accumulated depreciation)
Actual Production History - Answers -A history of a farmer's crop yields over a multi-
year period, which is used to determine the normal
production level of a farm.
Adhesion - Answers -Characteristic of an insurance contract. Means that one party (the
insurer) sets the terms, and the other
(the policyholder) can "take it or leave it.
Adjusted Gross Revenue
(Crop Insurance) - Answers -Narrowest (and least expensive) form of crop revenue
insurance. Insures farm revenue as a whole
instead of individual crops. Guarantees a percentage of the insured farm's average
revenue.
Adjuster - Answers -An agent who, for compensation, processes insurance claims. The
adjuster investigates the damages,
evaluates the claim, and makes a fair and equitable settlement based on the insurance
contract. Can
represent either the insured or the insurer.
,Adjuster - Emergency - Answers -Adjusters who are temporarily licensed by the
insurance commissioner to handle claims during
catastrophes or emergencies that produce an overwhelming number of claims in a short
period of time.
Adjuster - Independent - Answers -Self-employed adjusters who contract with multiple
insurers at the same time. Paid on a commission or
fee-plus-expenses basis for each claim. Also called: Fee Adjuster, Bureau Adjuster.
Adjuster - Public - Answers -An adjuster who is hired to represent the claimant and help
determine a fair indemnification. Usually
specializes in appraisals and negotiation. Paid commission, usually a percentage of
final settlement.
Adjuster - Staff - Answers -Salaried employee of one insurance company who can work
locally, regionally, or nationally. Also called:
Company Adjuster
Advance Payment
Settlement - Answers -A settlement option that lets the insurer offer some financial relief
to the claimant before the claim has
been fully settled. The insurer makes advance payments to the claimant, which are then
subtracted from
the final settlement amount. Often used when a claimant suffers bodily injury and is
unable to work.
Agency Authority - Answers -The agent's authority to act on behalf of someone else (the
principal), usually an insurer. This authority is
derived from the agent's contract with the principal. It can be apparent, express, or
implied
Agency Authority -
Apparent - Answers -Indirect authority that the agent can reasonably be assumed to
have, based on appearances. If an
adjuster is equipped to represent an insurer (with the insurer's permission), then an
individual can assume
that the adjuster has the authority to act on the insurer's behalf.
Agency Authority -
Express - Answers -Authority that is expressly given to the agent in writing. Allows the
agent to act on behalf of the principal.
Agency Authority - Implied - Answers -Authority that an agent possesses by implication
of her behavior, regardless of whether this authority is
granted in writing. For example, a person portraying herself as a representative for an
insurance
,company, even though she is not employed by that company.
Agent (Insurance) - Answers -Someone who has received authority from an insurer to
sell or service insurance policies.
Agreed Value - Answers -A valued policy in which the insurer and the insured agree to a
specific value for an item, appraised at the
inception of the policy. Often used to insure items whose value is difficult to quantify,
such as antiques or
fine art. Also called a Guaranteed Value policy.
Agreement - Answers -One of the four requirements of a legally binding contract. All
parties involved must agree to the terms of
the contract. Can also refer to a binder, which is the preliminary substance of a contract.
Agricultural Producer - Answers -A business that grows, harvests, and sells crops for
profit.
Aleatory - Answers -A characteristic of an insurance contract. Means "depending on an
unknown future event." An insurance
contract will only pay IF and WHEN covered damages occur. Neither party knows how
much the contract
will end up paying when they enter into the contract.
Answer - Answers -In liability cases, the defendant's response to a complaint. There are
three possible answers: 1) accept
complaint and pay for damages, 2) deny the complaint, or 3) accept the complaint with
a right to insert
evidence into the case.
Annual Depreciation - Answers -An item's replacement cost divided by the number of
years in its expected lifespan.
Annual Transit - Answers -An uncontrolled inland marine form that covers loss of goods
in transit. It applies to all of the insured's
shipments during the year.
Appraisal - Answers -A dispute resolution method which allows the claimant and the
insurer each to select an appraiser. The
two appraisers in turn select an umpire. The appraisers then work together to determine
a settlement
amount. If they cannot agree, the umpire steps in. Agreement by any two of the three is
binding.
Arbitration - Answers -A dispute resolution method in which the opposing parties each
submit their evidence to a mutuallyagreed-
, upon and neutral third party, called an arbitrator. The arbitrator reviews the positions of
each
opposing side and makes a final and legally binding decision.
Arbitrator - Answers -The mutually-agreed-upon and neutral third party in an arbitration
who reviews the positions of each
opposing side before making a final and legally binding decision.
Artificially Generated
Current - Answers -Also called "artificial current." A peril covered in some property
insurance policies. It includes sudden and
accidental damage from any electrical current, except currents that are naturally
generated, such as
lightning or static electricity.
Auto Policy - Answers -Insurance policy designed to protect the policyholder while
owning, occupying, or operating a vehicle.
Usually combines liability coverage and property coverage into one policy.
Automobile - Answers -In insurance policies, automobile generally means any vehicle
designed for use on public roads.
Automobile No-Fault Laws - Answers -Laws in effect in some states that require any
owner of a vehicle to purchase no-fault insurance; that is,
insurance that indemnifies the insured, regardless of who was at fault in an accident.
No-fault laws also
restrict the insured's right to sue the at-fault party.
Aviation - Answers -Aviation insurance combines hull insurance for the aircraft and
liability insurance for any damage to
others' property or to people who are not passengers.
Average Weekly Wage
(AWW) - Answers -The average amount of income that an employee earns each week
while able to perform normal job
duties. When an employee is injured on the job, his workers' compensation income
benefits will depend
on his AWW before the injury.
Bailee - Answers -An individual or company that receives the property of someone else
for a special purpose and returns
the property after use.
Bailee Coverage - Answers -Reimburses a bailee's customer for damage to the
customer's property while in the bailee's control
