QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Purpose of Risk Retention - ANS To reduce expenses and improve cash flow; to increase
control of claim reserving and claims settlements; to fund for losses that cannot be insured.
Participating Policies.
Who owns Mutual Companies and what type of policies do they issue? - ANS Owned by
Policy Owners, Policy owners do not share profits or losses, does not pay dividends, taxable
dividends are paid to stockholders. Policy owners are issued participating policies, where they
are entitled to dividends.
Social Insurance Programs - ANS Federal and State issue policies where private insurance is
not available. Medicare, social security, and medicaid.
Independent rating services - ANS AM Best, Fitch, Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Weiss
What characteristics does the Law of The Agency represent - ANS Defines the relationship
between the principal (insurer) and the agent/producer.
- An agent represents the insurer, not the insured
-Any knowledge of the agent is presumed to be knowledge of the insurer
- If the agent is working within the conditions of his/her contract, the insurer is fully responsible
- When the insured submits payment to the agent, it is the same as submitting a payment to
the insurer
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,What is the differences between the three types of producer Authorities - ANS Express -
Written in the contract
Implied - Not in the contract, but the agent is assumed to have that authority
Apparent - Appearance or the assumption of authority based on the actions, words, or deeds of
the principal or because of circumstances the principal created.
What does the term Market Conduct apply to? - ANS It is a code of conduct for producers
and companies
What are the four elements of a legal contract? - ANS Agreement (offer and acceptance),
Consideration, Competent parties, and Legal Purpose
Explain contract of Adhesion - ANS - Is prepared by the Insurer and accepted or rejected by
the insured
- Not based off negotiations
- Take it or leave it basis
What does aleatory mean? Give an example. - ANS There is an exchange of unequal amounts
or values
- The premium paid by the insured is small in relation to the amount paid by insurer in event of
a loss
Ex. John only paid to payments and dies early
Personal Contact - ANS In general Insurance contract is a personal contract because it is
between the insurance company and an individual
Unilateral Contract - ANS Only one of the parties is legally bound to do anything.
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, How is Indemnity applied to life insurance? - ANS In the event of a loss, an insured or
beneficiary is only permitted to collect to the extent of the financial loss. Ex. 15k loss with 20k
policy, can only collect the 15k
How are Misrepresentations related to Fraud? - ANS If they are intentional its considered
fraud
Warranty - ANS - Absolutely true statement upon which the validity of the insurance policy
depends
Concealment - ANS The withholding of known facts which, if material, can void a contract.
Fraud - ANS Intentional misrepresentation or intentional concealment of material fact.
Estoppel - ANS A legal impediment to denying a fact or restoring a right that has been
previously waived.
What is the difference between creating an estate and estate conversation - ANS Immediate
Estate- Creates immediate value. Estate conversation - pays the estate taxes after assets were
established
Human Life Approach vs. Needs Approach - ANS Human life - lost wages
Needs - Predicting family needs
What is the Social Security "Blackout Period"? When does it begin? - ANS Time during which
the surviving spouse and/or children do not receive any social security survivor benefits.
Blackout period begins when the youngest child reaches the age of 16, and ends when the
surviving spouse qualifies for retirement benefits, as early as 60. Goes directly to the child
between 16 and 18.
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