Insurance Definitions

Common terms from your policies — short definitions, examples, and which coverages they relate to.

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10 terms

Business Property General Liability

Occupancy is the use of a building or premises, such as residential, office, retail, restaurant, manufacturing, or vacant.

Occupancy is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Property, General Liability. For business insurance customers, understanding Occupancy can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Occupancy depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A business owner comparing quotes for property coverage asks whether Occupancy could affect contracts, claims, or required limits. The agent reviews the policy wording and explains how it may apply to the business operation.

Full page: Occupancy

Business Workers Compensation

An occupational disease is an illness caused by work-related exposure or employment conditions over time.

Occupational Disease is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Workers Compensation. For business insurance customers, understanding Occupational Disease can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Occupational Disease depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A business owner comparing quotes for workers compensation coverage asks whether Occupational Disease could affect contracts, claims, or required limits. The agent reviews the policy wording and explains how it may apply to the business operation.

Full page: Occupational Disease

Personal General Liability Homeowners Umbrella

An occurrence is an accident, event, or repeated exposure to substantially the same harmful conditions that results in covered injury or damage.

Occurrence is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with General Liability, Homeowners, Umbrella. For personal insurance customers, understanding Occurrence can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Occurrence depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A customer reviewing a general liability policy asks how Occurrence would affect a future claim. The agent explains where the term appears in the policy and how it may change the amount paid, the coverage available, or the customer's responsibilities.

Full page: Occurrence

Personal General Liability Homeowners Umbrella

An occurrence policy responds to covered injury or damage that occurs during the policy period, even if the claim is reported later.

Occurrence Policy is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with General Liability, Homeowners, Umbrella. For personal insurance customers, understanding Occurrence Policy can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Occurrence Policy depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A customer reviewing a general liability policy asks how Occurrence Policy would affect a future claim. The agent explains where the term appears in the policy and how it may change the amount paid, the coverage available, or the customer's responsibilities.

Full page: Occurrence Policy

Powersports Homeowners Commercial Property Inland Marine

Open perils coverage insures against direct physical loss unless the cause is specifically excluded.

Open Perils is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Homeowners, Commercial Property, Inland Marine. For powersports insurance customers, understanding Open Perils can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Open Perils depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A customer insuring a boat, motorcycle, RV, or other recreational vehicle asks how Open Perils applies if there is damage, theft, or liability. The agent uses the policy language to explain what may be covered and what limits or exclusions may apply.

Full page: Open Perils

Personal Homeowners Commercial Property Condo

Ordinance or law coverage helps pay increased costs to repair, rebuild, demolish, or upgrade property to comply with current building codes after a covered loss.

Ordinance or Law Coverage is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Homeowners, Commercial Property, Condo. For personal insurance customers, understanding Ordinance or Law Coverage can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Ordinance or Law Coverage depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A customer reviewing a homeowners policy asks how Ordinance or Law Coverage would affect a future claim. The agent explains where the term appears in the policy and how it may change the amount paid, the coverage available, or the customer's responsibilities.

Full page: Ordinance or Law Coverage

Business Auto Commercial Auto

OEM parts coverage involves use of original manufacturer parts for vehicle repairs, subject to policy terms.

Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Auto, Commercial Auto. For business insurance customers, understanding Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A business owner comparing quotes for auto coverage asks whether Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts could affect contracts, claims, or required limits. The agent reviews the policy wording and explains how it may apply to the business operation.

Full page: Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts

Personal Homeowners Dwelling Fire

Other structures coverage applies to detached structures such as garages, sheds, fences, or guest houses, subject to policy limits.

Other Structures Coverage is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Homeowners, Dwelling Fire. For personal insurance customers, understanding Other Structures Coverage can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Other Structures Coverage depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A customer reviewing a homeowners policy asks how Other Structures Coverage would affect a future claim. The agent explains where the term appears in the policy and how it may change the amount paid, the coverage available, or the customer's responsibilities.

Full page: Other Structures Coverage

Benefits Health Insurance

An out-of-pocket maximum is the most an insured pays for covered healthcare expenses during a plan year before the plan pays covered benefits at 100 percent.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Health Insurance. For benefits insurance customers, understanding Out-of-Pocket Maximum can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Out-of-Pocket Maximum depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A customer reviewing health insurance coverage asks how Out-of-Pocket Maximum affects eligibility, benefits, premium, or claim payment. The agent explains the term using the plan or policy documents so the customer understands the practical impact.

Full page: Out-of-Pocket Maximum

Business Commercial Property

Outdoor signs coverage insures signs attached to buildings or located outdoors, often with separate limits.

Outdoor Signs Coverage is an important insurance concept because it can affect how coverage is selected, priced, interpreted, or applied at claim time. In practical terms, it helps explain what the policy may do, what the insured may be responsible for, or how the insurance company may evaluate a covered situation. This term is commonly associated with Commercial Property. For business insurance customers, understanding Outdoor Signs Coverage can make it easier to compare policies, ask better questions, avoid coverage gaps, and understand what may happen before, during, or after a claim. The exact impact of Outdoor Signs Coverage depends on the policy form, endorsements, limits, deductibles, exclusions, state law, and the facts of the loss or account.

Example Example: A business owner comparing quotes for commercial property coverage asks whether Outdoor Signs Coverage could affect contracts, claims, or required limits. The agent reviews the policy wording and explains how it may apply to the business operation.

Full page: Outdoor Signs Coverage


Insurance Terms to Know

Theft Sublimit

A theft sublimit is a lower limit for theft of certain property categories such as jewelry, money, firearms, or business property.