PACKAGE POLICY

A single insurance policy that combines several coverages previously sold separately. Examples include homeowners insurance and commercial multiple peril insurance.

PAID-UP POLICY*

An insurance policy that requires no further premium payments but continues to provide coverage.

PARTICIPATING POLICY*

A type of insurance policy that allows policy owners to receive policy dividends. Also known as par policy.

PERIL

A specific risk or cause of loss covered by an insurance policy, such as a fire, windstorm, flood, or theft. A named-peril policy covers the policyholder only for the risks named in the policy in contrast to an all-risk policy, which covers all causes of loss except those specifically excluded.

PERSONAL ARTICLES FLOATER

A policy or an addition to a policy used to cover personal valuables, like jewelry or furs.

PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION COVERAGE / PIP

Portion of an auto insurance policy that covers the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s car.

PERSONAL LINES

Property/casualty insurance products that are designed for and bought by individuals, including homeowners and automobile policies.

POLICY

A written contract for insurance between an insurance company and policyholder stating details of coverage.

POLICY DIVIDEND OPTIONS*

Ways in which the owner of a participating insurance policy may receive policy dividends.

POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS

The amount of money remaining after an insurer’s liabilities are subtracted from its assets. It acts as a financial cushion above and beyond reserves, protecting policyholders against an unexpected or catastrophic situation.

POLLUTION INSURANCE

Policies that cover property loss and liability arising from pollution-related damages, for sites that have been inspected and found uncontaminated. It is usually written on a claims-made basis so policies pay only claims presented during the term of the policy or within a specified time frame after the policy expires. (See Claims-made policy)

PREMISES

The particular location of the property or a portion of it as designated in an insurance policy.

PREMIUM

The price of an insurance policy, typically charged annually or semiannually.

PREMIUM REDUCTION OPTION*

An option, available to the owners of participating insurance policies, that allows the insurer to apply policy dividends toward the payment of renewal premiums.

PREMIUMS WRITTEN

The total premiums on all policies written by an insurer during a specified period of time, regardless of what portions have been earned. Net premiums written are premiums written after reinsurance transactions.

PROOF OF LOSS

Documents showing the insurance company that a loss occurred.

PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE

Covers damage to or loss of policyholders’ property and legal liability for damages caused to other people or their property. Property/casualty insurance, which includes auto, homeowners and commercial insurance, is one segment of the insurance industry. The other sector is life/health. Outside the United States, property/casualty insurance is referred to as nonlife or general insurance.

PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE CYCLE

Industry business cycle with recurrent periods of hard and soft market conditions. In the 1950s and 1960s, cycles were regular with three year periods each of hard and soft market conditions in almost all lines of property/casualty insurance. Since then they have been less regular and less frequent.

The terms found on pages A-Z are prevalent insurance terms. The majority are courtesy of the Insurance Information Institute and LOMA, *Terms marked with an asterisk are from LOMA’s Glossary of Insurance and Financial Services Terms.