insurish: The dictionary-ish Guide
Where we try to make sense of all the tricky insurance terms. Because nobody should need a translator for their own policy.
A
- Accelerated Death Benefit
- ā” When life throws a serious curveball, this lets you tap into your life insurance payout earlyāso you can cover medical costs, bucket-list adventures, or just enjoy the time you have.
- Accident
- š An unplanned “Oops!” – usually involving cars, coffee spills, or questionable life choices.
- Accident Forgiveness
- š A get-out-of-rate-hike-free cardāsome insurers let you have one accident without raising your premium.
- Accident Health Insurance Supplement
- š Extra coverage that steps in when life hits hard helping pay for medical bills, lost wages, or other costs after an accident. Think of it as a financial cushion for those unexpected “Oops!” moments. Get a free quote from Insurish.
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment
- š The “just in case” policy that pays out if a serious accident results in death or losing something importantālike a limb, eyesight, or ability to function as before. Not fun to think about, but good to have.
- Accumulated Cash Value
- š° The slow-but-steady money-growing magic inside certain life insurance policies. Over time, your policy builds up cash you can borrow against or cash outākind of like a savings account with a safety net.
- Act of God
- ā” A fancy way of saying “Mother Nature did this”ācovers natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires (if included in your policy).
- Actual Cash Value
- šµ What your stuff is worth right now, not what you paid for it. Depreciation takes a bite, so that brand-new couch from five years ago? Yeah, itās not worth the same today.
- Additional Insured
- š¼ A bonus name on the policyāsomeone else (like a business partner or landlord) who gets coverage under your insurance.
- Adjuster
- šµļø The insurance detective who investigates claims, crunches numbers, and decides how much money you get after an accident or disaster. Their job? Figure out whatās fair.
- Adverse Selection
- š When high-risk people buy more insurance than low-risk people, driving up costs for everyone. (Insurers try to avoid this.)
- Agency
- š¢ The insurance HQ where agents help match you with the right coverage. Think of it as mission control for all things protection.
- Agent
- š¤ Your insurance wingmanāthe person who finds the best policy for you, explains the fine print, and makes sure youāre covered when life throws a curveball.
- Aggregate Limit
- š The total max payout your insurer will cover during a policy periodāonce you hit it, you’re on your own.
- All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Insurance
- šļø Protection for your off-road adventures. Whether you’re tearing up trails or cruising through mud, this coverage has your back if things get bumpyāliterally. Get a Free quote from Insurish.
- Annuity
- š° A steady paycheck from an insurance companyāoften used for retirement, paying out over time instead of all at once.
- Anti-Theft Device Discount
- š A price break on car insurance if you have alarms, GPS trackers, or other theft-prevention devices.
- Application
- š The āLetās make this officialā form you fill out to get insurance. Answer some questions, sign your name, and boomāyouāre on your way to coverage!
- Appraisal
- š The official price tag on your home, car, or valuablesādetermined by a pro to make sure youāre insuring them for the right amount. No guessing games here!
- Assessed Value
- š What local tax authorities think your property is worthāit may be different from market value or replacement cost.
- Assigned Risk
- š When insurers take on high-risk drivers (who might not get coverage otherwise) through a state-assigned program.
- At-Fault Accident
- š¦ When the blame is on youāyour insurance (or wallet) is covering the damage.
- Auto Insurance
- š Your carās financial seatbeltācovers damage, injuries, accidents, and sometimes even break-ins, so you’re not left paying out of pocket when the unexpected happens. Get a FREE quote from Insurish.
- Auto Warranty Insurance
- š ļø Think of this as breakdown coverage for your ride. If your carās parts or systems fail after the manufacturerās warranty expires, this helps cover the repair costs.
B
- Bailee’s Coverage
- š¦ Protection for other peopleās stuff in your careāperfect for dry cleaners, repair shops, and storage businesses.
- Beneficiary
- š§āāļø The lucky someone who gets the insurance payout when youāre no longer around. Choose wiselyāthis is who gets the money when life insurance kicks in.
- Betterments & Improvements
- š ļø Upgrades you make to a rented or owned spaceālike new floors or built-in bookshelvesāthat may need extra coverage.
- Binder
- š A temporary āyou’re coveredā note from your insurer while the official policy is being finalized. Itās like a placeholder that says, āWe got youā¦ for now.ā
- Blanket Insurance
- š”ļø One policy, multiple things coveredāwhether itās properties, possessions, or businesses, this keeps everything protected under one big insurance umbrella.
- Boat Insurance
- āµ Because “oops” moments happen on water too. Covers your boat, jet ski, or yacht from damage, theft, and accidentsāso your dream cruise doesnāt sink your wallet. Get a FREE quote from Insurish.
- Bodily Injury
- š¤ When your body takes the hitāfrom minor bruises to major medical bills. If youāre at fault in an accident, this helps cover the other personās costs (so they donāt come after you instead).
- Bodily Injury (BI) Coverage
- š¤ Pays for injuries you cause to others in an accident – so you don’t have to foot the medical bill alone.
- Bodily Injury Liability Limits
- š¤ The max amount your insurance will pay if you injure someone in an accident. Choose wiselyābecause hospital bills can add up fast.
- Buried Utility Coverage
- š§ Protection for the underground stuffālike water lines, gas pipes, and electrical wiring. If something important (and expensive) breaks beneath your property, this coverage helps dig you out of trouble.
- Business Income Coverage
- š° If a disaster shuts down your biz, this coverage helps replace lost income while you get back on your feet. Bills donāt stop just because business does!
- Business Interruption Insurance
- š¼ Helps cover lost income if a disaster shuts your business downāso you can still pay bills and employees.
- Business Owners Policy (BOP)
- š¢ A power combo of business insuranceābundling property, liability, and more into one neat package. Because running a business is risky enough without juggling multiple policies. Get a FREE quote from Insurish.
- Business Property Coverage
- š¦ Covers all the stuff inside your businessādesks, computers, inventory, even that fancy espresso machine. If it’s important to running your business, this helps protect it.
C
- Cash Surrender Value
- šø The “cash-out” option for certain life insurance policies. If you cancel, this is the amount you get backābut spoiler alert: itās usually less than the full policy value.
- Cash Value
- š° The piggy bank inside your life insurance. Some policies build up money over time, and you can borrow against it or cash it out if needed.
- Catastrophe
- šŖļø When Mother Nature goes wildāthink hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters that cause major damage (and major insurance payouts).
- Claim
- š Your official āHelp! Something went wrong!ā request to your insurance company. If approved, they cut a check to cover the damage.
- Claimant
- š§āāļø The person asking for the money after a lossāwhether it’s you, another driver, or someone making a claim against your policy.
- Classic Car Insurance
- š Special coverage for your four-wheeled treasure. Standard auto insurance wonāt cut it for vintage or collectible carsāthis keeps them protected while they shine. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Co-Insurance Clause
- āļø The āshare the riskā rule in some policiesāif you donāt insure enough of your propertyās value, you might have to cover part of the loss yourself. No shortcuts here!
- Co-Op Insurance
- š¢ Protection for your share of a co-op apartmentāsince you donāt own the unit outright, this covers your belongings and liability inside. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- COBRA Insurance
- š„ Lets you keep your employerās health plan after leaving a jobābut youāll pay the full premium yourself.
- Collision Coverage
- š„ When your car plays bumper cars (with another car, a tree, or, oopsā¦ a mailbox), this coverage helps pay for the repairsāno matter who’s at fault.
- Commercial Auto Insurance
- š Because business vehicles need protection too. Covers work trucks, delivery vans, and company carsāso your business stays on the road after an accident. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Commercial Excess Liability Insurance
- š Extra coverage when regular liability limits arenāt enough. If a big claim maxes out your policy, this steps in to cover the restābecause lawsuits arenāt cheap. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Commercial Property Insurance
- š¢ Keeps your business home base safeāwhether itās an office, restaurant, or warehouse. Covers buildings, inventory, and equipment if disaster strikes. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Commission
- š° The thank-you-for-selling-insurance paycheck agents earn when they match you with the right coverage. No extra cost to youājust how the biz works!
- Comparative Negligence
- āļø The blame-sharing ruleāif both parties are at fault in an accident, liability (and payments) get split.
- Comprehensive Coverage
- š Covers the wild stuffātheft, fire, hail, even a deer deciding to play chicken with your car. If itās not a collision but still causes damage, this has your back.
- Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) Insurance
- š”ļø The āOops, donāt sue meā policy for businessesācovering injuries, property damage, and legal costs when accidents happen on your watch. Get a FREE Insurish quote!
- Conditions
- š The fine print rules in your policy that tell you what you need to do to stay coveredālike paying your premium and reporting claims on time.
- Condominium Insurance
- š¢ Covers your slice of the condo, including personal belongings and interior damageāsince the homeowner associationās insurance only protects the building itself. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Construction Insurance
- š§ Covers a building project from start to finishāprotects against damage, theft, or accidents while under construction. aka: Builders’ Risk Insurance
- Contents Coverage
- š¦ Protection for all the stuff inside your homeāfurniture, gadgets, even your favorite fuzzy socksāif disaster strikes.
- Contingency Beneficiary
- š§āāļø The backup plan for your life insurance payoutāif your primary beneficiary canāt claim it, this person is next in line.
- Contract
- š A fancy way of saying ālegal promiseāāin insurance, itās the official agreement that spells out whatās covered, whatās not, and how it all works.
- Contract of Adhesion
- š A ātake it or leave itā insurance contractāyou donāt get to negotiate the terms, but you can shop around.
- Coverage Period
- ā³ The time frame your policy has your back. Once it expires, youāll need to renew or find new coverage to stay protected.
- Coverages
- š”ļø The menu of protections in your policyāeach one spells out whatās included, so you know whatās covered (and whatās not).
- Critical Care Health Insurance Supplement
- š„ Extra financial backup for big medical scaresālike heart attacks, strokes, or cancerāhelping cover costs regular health insurance might not. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Cyber Insurance
- š» A digital safety net for businessesācovers losses from hacks, data breaches, and online fraud, so cybercriminals donāt wreck your bottom line. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
D
- Damage by Short Circuit
- ā” When your electronics get fried from a power surge, this coverage helps replace or repair themābecause your gadgets deserve better than an unexpected blackout.
- Date of Issue
- š The birthday of your policyāthe day your coverage officially kicks in and starts protecting you.
- Death Benefit
- ā°ļø The payout your loved ones get when your life insurance policy kicks in. A financial safety net when they need it most.
- Declarations Page
- š The cheat sheet of your policyālists the important details like coverage amounts, deductibles, and who’s covered, all in one place.
- Deductible
- šø The money you pay first before insurance steps in. Higher deductible = lower premiums, but youāll shell out more when making a claim.
- Defensive Driving Discount
- š¦ A lower rate for safe drivers who complete a defensive driving courseābecause insurers love careful drivers.
- Dental Plan Insurance
- š¦· Covers cavities, cleanings, and the occasional root canalābecause smiles are expensive, but insurance helps keep the cost down. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Depreciation
- š The value drop of your stuff over time. That brand-new laptop? Not worth as much next yearāinsurance considers that when paying out claims.
- Discount
- š° Insuranceās way of saying āNice job!ā for safe driving, bundling policies, or having security systemsāsaving you money on your premium.
- Dividend
- šµ A bonus check some insurance companies pay out to policyholders when they make more money than expected. Free cash? Yes, please!
- Drone Insurance
- š Coverage for your commercial flying tech toyāprotects against crashes, damage, and even liability if your drone gets a little too adventurous. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Dwelling Coverage
- š Protects the physical structure of your homeāfrom the roof to the wallsāagainst disasters like fire, storms, and rogue tree branches.
E
- Earthquake Insurance
- š Because when the ground shakes, so does your wallet. Covers damage from quakes since standard homeownersā insurance doesnāt.
- Effective Date
- š The official start line for your policyābefore this date, youāre not covered. After? Youāre good to go.
- Endorsement
- āļø An insurance add-on that tweaks your policyāwhether itās more coverage, less coverage, or special perks. Think of it as a policy upgrade.
- Equipment Breakdown Coverage
- āļø Covers the big stuff when it suddenly stops workingāHVAC, appliances, electrical systemsābecause things donāt last forever.
- Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance
- āļø A āmy badā policy for professionalsācovers legal fees if a mistake in your work causes financial loss for a client. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Escrow Account
- š³ A holding account for home insurance and taxesāyour mortgage lender collects these costs monthly and pays them when due.
- Exclusions
- š« The āNope, we donāt cover thatā section of your policyālists all the things your insurance wonāt pay for, so no surprises later.
- Exclusive Agent
- š¤ An insurance matchmaker who sells policies for just one companyākind of like a brand-loyal insider.
F
- Fault
- āļø Whoās to blame in an accidentādetermines whose insurance is footing the bill (and whose rates might go up).
- Fiduciary Insurance
- š Protects businesses that manage money or benefitsābecause mishandling funds can lead to big legal trouble.
- Financial Responsibility Law
- š³ The āyou must have insuranceā ruleālaws that make sure drivers can pay for damages if they cause an accident.
- Fire Insurance
- š„ Covers damage from flames, smoke, and even firefighting effortsāso one spark doesnāt burn down your finances. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Flood Insurance
- š Because water and homes donāt mix wellāprotects against rising waters since standard homeowners insurance wonāt. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Fraud
- š When someone fakes an accident, claim, or policy details to get an insurance payout. Illegal, risky, and a big no-no.
- Fuel-Spill Liability
- ā½ Covers cleanup costs if your vehicle, boat, or business accidentally leaks fuel into the environment.
- Full Coverage
- š”ļø A combo of liability, collision, and comprehensive insuranceānot a magic “everythingās covered” policy, but close.
- Fungus
- š Mold, mildew, and other gross growths insurance usually wonāt coverābecause keeping things dry is on you.
- Furry Friends
- š¶ Your pets, aka family members with extra legs. Some policies help cover pet-related damage or even vet bills.
G
- GAP Insurance
- š Covers the difference between what your car is worth and what you still oweāso youāre not stuck paying for a totaled car.
- General Liability Insurance
- āļø Covers slips, trips, and āoopsā momentsāprotecting businesses from lawsuits when someone gets hurt or property gets damaged. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Golf Cart Insurance
- ā³ Because golf carts arenāt just for golf. Covers damage, theft, and liabilityāwhether youāre on the course or cruising the neighborhood. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Grace Period
- ā³ A āweāll give you a minuteā window after your payment is dueāmiss the deadline, and you might still have coverage (for a little while).
- Group Life Insurance
- š„ A work perk that gives employees life insuranceāoften cheaper and easier to qualify for than buying it solo.
- Guaranteed Death Benefit
- ā°ļø A āno matter whatā payout from a life insurance policy, ensuring your beneficiaries get a set amount when you pass.
- Guaranteed Rate of Return
- š A promise that your investment grows at a fixed rateāno surprises, just steady gains over time.
H
- Hazard
- šŖļø Anything that puts your stuff (or you) at riskāfire, storms, burglars, or even a wobbly staircase waiting to trip someone.
- Health Insurance
- š„ Your walletās shield against expensive doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptionsābecause medical bills add up fast.
- Home Appraisal
- š” A proās price tag on your homeāused by lenders and insurers to determine its value for loans or coverage.
- Home Inspection
- š A deep dive check-up on a homeās condition before you buyābecause surprises are great, but not when theyāre leaking from your roof.
- Home Warranty Insurance
- š§ Fixes what breaks inside your homeāappliances, HVAC, plumbingāso a busted fridge doesnāt mean a busted budget. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Homeowner Association (HOA)
- šļø The neighborhood rule makersāthey maintain common areas, enforce community rules, and collect fees to keep things in order.
- Homeowner Insurance
- š Your homeās financial safety netācovers damage, disasters, and liability so youāre not left rebuilding alone. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Homeowner Insurance Binder
- š A temporary proof-of-coverage note from your insurerāhandy at a closing when youāre buying a house and need to show youāre insured.
- Homeowner Policy Forms
- š The different flavors of home insuranceāranging from basic to all-inclusive, depending on how much protection you want.
- Hospital Health Insurance Supplement
- š„ Extra coverage that helps fill the gaps in regular health insuranceācovering hospital stays, surgeries, and other major medical costs. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
I
- Identity Theft Insurance
- š A financial cleanup crew if your personal info gets stolenāhelps cover legal fees, lost wages, and credit restoration. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Income Protection Insurance
- Ā š¼ A financial safety net if you canāt work due to illness or injuryākeeps money coming in so bills donāt pile up.
- Indemnification
- āļø A fancy way of saying āWeāll cover the lossāāinsurance paying you (or someone else) back for damages or expenses.
- Independent Agent
- š¤ An insurance free agentāworks with multiple companies to find you the best coverage, not just one brandās options.
- Inherent Vice
- š§ A built-in flaw that causes something to break down over timeāinsurance wonāt cover it because itās just a matter of when, not if.
- Insurable Interest
- š¦ You canāt insure what you donāt have a stake ināthis rule ensures youād suffer a loss if something happened to the person or thing insured.
- Insurance
- š”ļø A financial backup planāpay a little now (premium) so you donāt pay a LOT later when life throws surprises your way.
- Insurance Renewal
- š Your policyās āletās do this againā momentāwhen itās time to extend your coverage for another term (or shop for a better deal).
- Insurance-to-Value
- š Making sure your coverage matches what it would actually cost to rebuild or replace your propertyānot just a rough guess.
- Insured
- š”ļø You, the policyholder. The one getting the protection (and hopefully never needing to use it).
- Insurer
- š¢ The company thatās got your backāthe one collecting your premium and paying out when things go sideways.
- Insuring Agreements
- š The “Whatās Covered” section of your policyāthe part that spells out exactly what the insurer will pay for.
- Interested Party
- š Someone who has a financial stake in your policyālike a bank that holds your mortgage or a lender on your car loan.
- Irrevocable Beneficiary
- š A locked-in beneficiaryāonce named, they canāt be changed without their permission (so choose wisely!).
J
- Jewelry Appraisal
- š A proās price tag on your blingāused to determine how much coverage you need for your valuable pieces.
- Jewelry Insurance
- š Protection for rings, watches, and shiny thingsācovers loss, theft, and damage, so your treasures stay protected. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Jewelry Limit
- š° The maximum amount your insurance will pay for stolen or damaged jewelryāso check if you need extra coverage!
L
- Landlord Insurance
- š Covers rental propertiesāprotecting the building, liability, and lost rental income if tenants cause trouble. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Lapse in Coverage
- š A coverage timeoutāwhen your policy ends because you didnāt renew or pay, leaving you unprotected.
- Legalese
- āļø The headache-inducing fine print in insurance policiesāfilled with jargon that makes you wish you had a translator.
- Liability
- ā ļø The āyour fault, your billā part of insuranceācovers damage or injuries you cause to others (so you donāt pay out of pocket).
- Liability Waiver
- š³ A legal āyou canāt sue meā cardāused in businesses or activities where risks are involved, though itās not always ironclad.
- Liberalization Clause
- š A free policy upgradeāif your insurer improves coverage but hasnāt renewed your policy yet, you get the better deal automatically.
- Life Insurance
- ā¤ļø A financial love letter to your familyāpays out when youāre gone so they donāt have to worry about money. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Limits
- š The max amount your insurer will pay for a claimāhit the limit, and anything extra is on you.
- Lines of Insurance
- š The different types of coverageāauto, home, life, healthāeach ālineā protects a specific part of your life.
- Living Benefits
- š° Life insurance you can use while you’re aliveāhelps pay medical bills or other expenses if youāre seriously ill.
- Living Will
- š A āwhat to do if I canāt decideā documentātells doctors and family what medical treatments you want (or donāt want) if youāre unable to speak for yourself.
- Loss Assessment Coverage
- š¢ A lifesaver for condo ownersāhelps cover shared property damage when your HOA sends a bill your way.
- Loss of Use Coverage
- šŖ Pays for your hotel or rental if your home becomes unlivable after a disasterābecause sleeping in your car isnāt ideal.
- Loss Payee
- š¦ The person or company getting paid first when an insured item (like a financed car) gets damaged or totaled.
M
- Mandatory Coverage
- š The “must-have” insurance required by lawālike car liability insuranceābecause some risks are too big to go uncovered.
- Market Value
- š What your home or property is worth todayādifferent from replacement cost, which is how much it takes to rebuild it.
- Mechanical Breakdown Coverage
- š§ Covers expensive mechanical failuresālike when your car, furnace, or AC unit suddenly stops working.
- Med-Pay Coverage
- š° Covers medical bills after a car accident, no matter who was at faultāquick, no-hassle payments to keep you moving.
- Medical Coverage
- š„ Helps pay for doctor visits, hospital bills, and treatmentsābecause getting better shouldnāt mean going broke.
- Mobile Home Insurance
- š Special coverage for homes on wheelsāprotects against damage, liability, and even tornadoes if your home gets caught in a storm. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Moral Hazard
- āļø When people take bigger risks because they have insuranceālike driving recklessly, thinking āEh, my insurance will cover it.ā
- Mortgage Life Insurance
- š¦ Pays off your home loan if you pass away, so your loved ones arenāt left with the mortgage bill.
- Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
- š Protects businesses that transport goodsāif the cargo gets damaged or stolen, this helps cover the loss.
- Motorcycle Insurance
- šļø Because two wheels need protection tooācovers damage, theft, and liability whether you’re cruising or racing the wind. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
N
- Named Insured
- š The main person covered by the policyātheir nameās on the paperwork, and they call the shots.
- Named Perils
- š„ A list of specific disasters your policy coversāif itās not named, itās not covered, so read the fine print!
- Named Storm Deductible
- š A higher deductible that kicks in for hurricanes and tropical stormsācommon in coastal states.
- Negligence
- ā ļø When someone fails to be careful, causing damage or injuryāand yep, they (or their insurance) might have to pay for it.
- No-Exam Life Insurance
- š©ŗ A life insurance shortcutāno medical exam required, just answer a few health questions and youāre good to go.
- No-Fault Insurance
- š Covers your injuries and damages no matter who caused the accidentāno arguing, just quick payouts.
- Non-Renewal
- š When an insurer decides not to continue your policyāeither due to claims history, risk factors, or company policy changes.
O
- Occurrence
- š A single event that causes damage or injuryāwhether itās a car crash, a house fire, or a guest slipping on your porch.
- Open Perils
- š Covers pretty much everything unless specifically excludedāif itās not on the ānoā list, youāre protected.
- Ordinance of Law Coverage
- š§ Helps pay for upgrades required by new building codes when repairing a damaged property.
- Other Structures Coverage
- šļø Covers detached buildings like sheds, fences, and gazebosābecause your backyard workshop deserves protection too.
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum
- š„ The most you’ll have to pay for health expenses in a year before insurance covers 100% of the rest.
P
- Pair or Set Clause
- š If part of a matching set (like earrings or collectibles) is lost or damaged, your insurer decides whether to pay for the whole set or just the missing piece.
- Parental Leave Insurance
- š¶ Helps cover lost income while youāre on parental leaveāso you can focus on baby snuggles, not bills.
- Pay-Per-Mile Insurance
- šµ A usage-based car insurance plan where you pay less if you drive less.
- Peril
- šŖļø An insurance word for ābad stuffāālike fire, theft, or stormsāthat can damage your home, car, or belongings.
- Permanent Life Insurance
- š”ļø A life insurance plan that never expiresāas long as you pay your premiums, it lasts for life and often builds cash value. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Personal Effects Coverage
- š Covers your personal belongings inside your car if they get stolen (because standard auto insurance wonāt).
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
- š Covers you and your passengers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehab after a car accident, no matter who was at faultābecause healing comes first.
- Personal Liability Insurance
- āļø Protects you if someone sues you for injury or property damageālike if your dog takes a bite out of the mailman.
- Personal Property Coverage
- š¦ Covers your stuff inside your homeāfurniture, electronics, clothesāif itās damaged, stolen, or lost in a covered event.
- Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
- āļø Extra liability coverage that kicks in when your regular policies hit their limitābecause lawsuits can get expensive fast. aka: Excess Liability Insurance. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Pet Care
- š¾ All the love, attention, and vet visits that keep your furry friends happy, healthy, and thriving.
- Pet Insurance
- š Health coverage for your four-legged family membersāhelps with vet bills, surgeries, and unexpected emergencies. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Policy
- š The official insurance agreement that lays out whatās covered, whatās not, and how much youāre paying for peace of mind.
- Policyholder
- š§āš¼ The VIP (thatās you!) who owns the insurance policy and gets the coverage benefits.
- Pre-Existing Condition
- āļø A health issue that existed before you got your insuranceāsometimes covered, sometimes not, depending on the plan.
- Premium
- šµ What you pay to keep your insurance activeāmonthly, yearly, or however often the bill comes due.
- Preventative Care
- š©ŗ Covers checkups, vaccines, screenings, and other āstay healthyā measures to catch problems before they start.
- Private Mortgage Insurance
- š¦ An extra cost for homebuyers who put down less than 20%āprotects the lender, not you.
- Professional Liability Insurance
- āļø A ācover your mistakesā policy for professionalsāprotects against lawsuits if your advice or services cause financial loss. aka: E&O. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Professional Services Exclusion
- š¼ A “not covered” clause in general liability policiesāif you’re a lawyer, doctor, or consultant, youāll need special insurance for work-related mistakes.
- Proof of Insurance
- š Your golden ticket that shows youāre coveredāneeded for car rentals, mortgages, or just peace of mind.
- Property & Casualty Insurance (P&C)
- š¢ The dynamic duo of insuranceācovers property (your stuff) and casualty (liability if someone gets hurt).
- Property Damage (PD) Coverage
- š Pays for damage you cause to someone elseās car, home, or propertyāso you donāt have to foot the bill alone.
- Property Protection Insurance (PPI)
- š” A Michigan-only auto insurance that covers damage your car does to buildings, fences, or parked cars.
Q
- Quote
- š² An insurance price tagāthe estimated cost of coverage based on your details before you officially sign up. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
R
- Real Property
- š” Land and everything permanently attached to itāhomes, buildings, and even that fence you built last summer.
- Recoverable Depreciation
- š° The difference between what your item is worth today and what it costs to replace itāsome policies pay you back for this if you replace the item.
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) Insurance
- š Covers your home-on-wheelsāwhether youāre parked at a campsite or cruising down the highway, this keeps your adventure protected. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Rental Reimbursement Coverage
- š Pays for a temporary ride while your car is in the shop after a covered accidentāso you’re not stuck taking the bus.
- Renters Insurance
- š Protects your stuff inside a rented home or apartmentāand medical bills if someone is hurt. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Replacement Cost
- š ļø Pays for a brand-new version of what you lost, instead of what it was worth before disaster struck.
- Rider
- š A policy add-on that gives extra coverage for special thingsālike jewelry, collectibles, or business equipment.
- Risk
- ā ļø The chance something bad happensāmore risk = higher insurance costs, because insurers like safe bets.
- Roadside Assistance Coverage
- š» Covers towing, jump-starts, flat tires, and lockoutsābecause car troubles always seem to happen at the worst times.
S
- Salvage Title
- š ļø A vehicle that’s been declared a total loss but can be rebuilt and insuredāthough some insurers wonāt cover it.
- Scheduled Personal Property Coverage (SPP)
- š Extra protection for high-value items like engagement rings, artwork, or collectiblesābecause standard policies have limits.
- Self-Insured Retention
- šÆ A fancy term for āyou pay this part firstā before an umbrella or excess policy kicks in.
- Short-Term Rental Insurance
- š A must for Airbnb hostsācovers guest-caused damage that homeowners insurance might not.
- Sinkhole Coverage
- šļø Protects your home if the ground decides to swallow itāa must in certain high-risk areas.
- Snowmobile Insurance
- āļø Covers your winter rideāwhether youāre hitting the trails or stuck in a snowbank, this keeps you covered. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Subrogation
- āļø When your insurance company takes over your fight to recover money from someone who caused you damage or injury.
T
- Term
- š The length of time your insurance lasts before renewal or expirationāshort term, long term, or lifetime.
- Term Life Insurance
- š Life insurance that lasts for a set timeāif you pass away during the term, your loved ones get the payout. If not, it expires (unless you renew or convert it). Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Theft
- šµļø When someone takes whatās yours without askingāinsurance helps replace stolen items, so you’re not left empty-handed.
- Tort
- āļø A legal oopsāif your actions cause harm to someone else, they can sue for damages (and insurance might cover it).
- Total Loss
- š When the damage is so bad, repairing isnāt worth itāinsurance cuts a check for the carās value instead.
- Trailer Insurance
- š Covers tow-behinds like campers, horse trailers, and utility trailersābecause accidents donāt just happen to the vehicle pulling them.
U
- Umbrella Insurance
- āļø Extra liability coverage that kicks in when your other policies hit their limitsāprotects your assets from big lawsuits. aka: PUP; Excess Liability
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
- š Covers you when the at-fault driver doesnāt have enough insurance to pay for your injuries or damage.
- Underwriter
- š The insurance detective who decides how risky you are to insure and what your policy should cost.
- Underwriting
- š The behind-the-scenes process where insurers assess risk before approving a policy or setting a rate.
- Uninsurable Peril
- š« A bad event insurance wonāt coverālike war, nuclear disasters, or intentional damage you cause yourself.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
- š Protects you if the at-fault driver has no insuranceācovers medical bills and damages so youāre not stuck paying.
- Universal Life Insurance
- š A flexible life insurance policy that lasts a lifetime, with adjustable premiums and cash value that can grow over time. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Fees
- š What health insurers consider a fair price for medical servicesāif your doctor charges more, you might owe the difference.
- Utility Service Interruption Coverage
- š Helps if a power outage or utility failure causes financial lossābecause no one wants a freezer full of spoiled food.
- Utmost Good Faith
- š¤ The trust rule in insuranceāboth you and your insurer must be honest about coverage details and risks.
V
- Vacant Home Insurance
- šļø Protects an empty houseābecause an unoccupied home can be a magnet for damage, break-ins, and other risks. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Vandalism
- šØ When someone damages your property on purposeāspray paint, smashed windows, or other costly mischief.
- Vehicles
- š Anything with wheels and a motor that needs insuranceācars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, even some golf carts.
- Vision Plan Insurance
- š Helps cover eye exams, glasses, and contactsābecause seeing clearly shouldnāt break the bank. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
W
- Waiting Period
- ā³ The time you have to wait before certain coverages kick inācommon in health and life insurance.
- Waiver of Deductible
- š A perk some policies offerāyou donāt have to pay your deductible under certain conditions, like if you total your car.
- Waiver of Premium
- š If you become disabled or unable to work, this keeps your life insurance active without requiring premium payments.
- Watercraft Insurance
- š¤ Covers boats, jet skis, and other personal watercraftābecause water fun comes with risks, too. aka: Boat Insurance
- Whole Life Insurance
- š A lifetime policy with a guaranteed payout and cash value that grows over timeālike insurance and savings combined. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Windstorm
- šŖļø When Mother Nature huffs and puffsāstrong winds that can damage roofs, windows, and property. Some policies cover it, others make you add it separately.
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- š¼ Covers on-the-job injuries and lost wagesābecause employees shouldnāt have to pay out of pocket for work-related accidents. Get a FREE quote from Insurish!
- Worldwide Coverage
- š Insurance that travels with youāprotects against losses no matter where you are on the planet (if your policy includes it).