Review Our Glossary of Auto Insurance Terms

This Auto Insurance Glossary can assist you in understanding some of the words and phrases you may encounter when researching online auto insurance quotes and auto insurance rates.

We have broken this Glossary into two sections. You can browse through the entire Auto Insurance Glossary or select a specific range of words/phrases alphabetically from the links below for Basic Auto Insurance Definitions and Basic Coverage Definitions.

Basic Auto Insurance Definitions

Additional Interest Insured
Another person or company who may be liable for an accident involving an insured or an insured vehicle and who has been named as an Additional Interest Insured under the policy.

Continuously Insured
Insurance coverage was in effect from an insurer or more than one insurer at all times, without a break or lapse in coverage for any reason.

Declarations Page
The report from your insurance company listing:

• The types of coverage you have elected.
• The limit for each coverage.
• The cost for each coverage.
• The specified vehicles covered by the policy.
• The types of coverage for each vehicle covered by the policy.
• Other information applicable to the policy.

Deductible
The amount of each loss you agree to pay. Generally, choosing a higher deductible will lower your premium.

Driver Improvement Course
A voluntary refresher course available for drivers age 55 and older to enhance their driving skills. Participants may be eligible for a discount if they can provide a certificate as proof of completion. The course must have been completed within three years of the date the policy is to begin.

Driver Status
Provides information concerning whether the driver has been rated or listed on the policy.

Garaging Location
The zip code where your vehicle is parked or garaged when not in use. This is usually your primary residence.

Good Driver
A "good" driver is a driver who has been licensed to drive for the previous three years has only one DMV point in the last three years (one minor violation like speeding), has had, at most, one at-fault accident that caused property damage only during the past three years, and has not been convicted of certain vehicle-related crimes during the past seven years. Any person who claims to meet the definition of a good driver based entirely or partially on a driver's license and driver's experience acquired anywhere other than in the U.S. or Canada is presumed to be a good driver if he or she has been licensed to drive in the U.S. or Canada for at least the previous 18 months and otherwise meets the definition of a good driver for that period.

Installment Fee
A fee paid with your bill payment if your policy is not paid in full.

Limits
The maximum amount paid for a specific insurance coverage. You may choose the limit which meets your needs. Most states have laws that specify the minimum limits you must purchase.

Named Insured
The first person in whose name the insurance policy is issued.

Occasional Driver
The person who is not the primary or principal driver of the vehicle.

Policy Expiration Date
The date when your current insurance policy expires. This date can be found on your current Declaration (or "DEC") page, insurance identification card, or recent cancellation notice. This date is not to be confused with the date of your next payment or the date when your renewal payment is due.

Policy Term
The length of time that the policy is in force. Many companies offer annual and semi-annual policies.

Primary Residence
The place where you will reside for the majority of your policy term. If you are a homeowner who does not reside in the home you own, please choose the "rent" or "other" option.

Primary Use
What your vehicle is mainly used for:

• To/From Work if you use your vehicle to commute to and from your work and/or school.
• Business if your vehicle is used for one or all of the following:
  • Used to make sales calls
  • Used as a vehicle for business trips to the bank or post office, picking up supplies, or going to different locations owned or leased by a partnership or corporation that have a business listed as and additional interest on the car.
• Farm if your vehicle is used primarily on a farm, ranch or orchard.
• Artisan if your vehicle is operated by you in a trade or business where the vehicle is:
  • owned or leased by an individual
  • operated solely by the named insured or other resident relatives
  • used to transport tools or other materials where such transport is incidental to the insured's trade or business at no more than two job sites per day
  • not used to transport explosives or flammable materials
  • not carrying equipment weighing more than 500 lbs.
  Artisan occupations may include, but are not limited to, appliance repair, landscapers, blacksmith, painters, cabinet makers, photographers, carpenters, plasterers, carpet installers, pool cleaners, construction workers, pool maintenance, drapery installers, radio/TV repairman, electrician, repairmen, exterminators, roofers, fence installers, tree trimmers, furniture repair, upholsterers, heating/ac repairmen, surveyors, interior decorator, welders, janitorial services
• Pleasure - no others apply.

Principal Driver
The person who drives the car most often.

Prior Address
Your prior address provides an additional piece of information to match the consumer report correctly with the customer.

Second Named Insured
The named insured or listed agent on a policy may request to designate any other person listed on the policy as a "second named insured". The second named insured has the same coverage under the policy as the named insured.

Social Security Number
Most auto insurers order consumer reports to determine the correct rate for you.

SR-22
A document required as proof of financial responsibility by the court or under state law for persons convicted of certain traffic violations.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a combination of letters and numbers 17 characters in length that can be used to identify the make, model, and year of your car. This number is usually found on the dashboard of your vehicle on the driver's side, and is usually listed on the vehicle registration and title.

Basic Coverage Definitions for Auto Insurance

BI/PD
Bodily Injury / Property Damage Liability Coverage. For example, 25/50/10 means $25,000 per person per accident for bodily injury /$50,000 total per accident for bodily injury /$10,000 property damage per accident.

Bodily Injury Liability
Pays when an insured person is legally liable for bodily injury or death caused by your vehicle or your operation of most non-owned vehicles. This coverage also pays for your legal defense if you are sued.

Common Exclusions: No coverage for (1) bodily injury/death when you are using your vehicle to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee; (2) liability assumed under a contract; (3) bodily injury/death to an employee; (4) bodily injury/death caused by an intentional act; (5) property owned by, rented to, or in the charge of an insured person; (6) bodily injury/death to you or relative; (7) bodily injury/death or property damage resulting from a relative's use of a vehicle, other than a covered vehicle, owned by a person who resides with you; or (8) bodily injury or property damage resulting from your operation or use of a vehicle owned by you, other than a covered vehicle.

Collision
Pays for loss to your covered vehicle when it collides with another object or overturns. Most auto insurers will also pay for a collision loss to any non-owned vehicle, or to a vehicle you have rented other than a vehicle rented for use in connection with your business or employment, while that vehicle is in your custody, or while you are operating it.

Common Exclusions: No coverage for damages or loss (1) to a vehicle while being used to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee; (2) resulting from intention acts, racing, or preparing for a race or stunting activity; (3) customs parts or equipment, including electronic equipment, in excess of the value declared in the application; or (4) to tapes, compact discs, other media or their carrying cases.

Comprehensive
Pays for loss or damage to your covered vehicle caused by any event other than collision. This includes damages due to events such as fire, theft, windstorm, flood, and vandalism. Most auto insurers will also pay transportation and loss of use expenses under this coverage if your motor vehicle is stolen.

Common Exclusions: No coverage for damages or loss (1) to a vehicle while being used to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee; (2) resulting from intention acts, racing, or preparing for a race or stunting activity; (3) customs parts or equipment, including electronic equipment, in excess of the value declared in the application; or (4) to tapes, compact discs, other media or their carrying cases.

Custom Parts and Equipment
Custom Parts and Equipment coverage provides up to $1,000 of coverage for certain parts and equipment that were not original manufacturer installed. If you buy collision or comprehensive coverage, or both, $1,000 of Custom Parts and Equipment coverage is automatically provided. If you need more coverage, up to $4,000 additional Custom Parts and Equipment coverage may be purchased.

For example, if $1,050 is the desired coverage amount, you should subtract the $1,000 already included with the Comprehensive and Collision coverage to calculate the amount of additional Custom Parts and Equipment coverage needed. For this example, you would enter $50. If the Custom Parts and Equipment value you are entering is more than $4,000, the vehicle must be rated as Stated Amount.

Loan Lease Payoff
Loan Lease Payoff coverage requires Comprehensive and Collision coverage and a loss payee. This coverage is only available on new (current model year) vehicles.

Medical Payments Coverage
Pays certain medical and funeral expenses resulting from a motor vehicle accident. This coverage protects anyone occupying your vehicle. It also covers you and relatives who reside in your household while in other vehicles or if struck as a pedestrian. These benefits are payable without regard to fault. This coverage may not be available in states that require Personal Injury Protection Benefits.

Common Exclusions: Similar to those for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage.

Property Damage Liability
Pays when an insured person is legally liable for damage to the property of others caused by your vehicle your operation of most non-owned vehicles. This coverage also pays for your legal defense costs if you are sued.

Common Exclusions: Same as Bodily Injury Liability Coverage exclusions, but the exclusions apply to damage to property.

Rental Reimbursement
Pays expenses to rent a car if you have a loss covered under Comprehensive Coverage or Collision Coverage. Pays up to the limit selected per day to the maximum indicated.

Towing and Labor
Reimburses you up to the limit selected for emergency towing of your car.

Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage
Protects you, your resident relatives, and occupants of a covered vehicle if any of these insured sustain bodily injury, including any resulting death, in an accident in which the owner or operator of a motor vehicle who is legally liable does not have enough insurance.

Common Exclusions: No coverage for bodily injury/death sustained by any person while using or occupying a (1) covered vehicle while being used to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee; (2) a covered vehicle without the permission of you or a relative; or (3) a non-owned vehicle without the permission of the owner.

Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
This coverage pays you for damage to the covered vehicle that has been sustained in an accident in which the owner or operator of a motor vehicle who is legally liable is an underinsured motorist. This coverage is available in only a limited number of states.

Common Exclusions: No coverage for property damage sustained by a covered vehicle while (1) being used to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee; or (2) a covered vehicle without the permission of you or a relative.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage
Available in some states, usually as an alternative to Collision Coverage. This coverage pays you for damage to the covered vehicle that has been sustained in an accident in which the owner or operator of a motor vehicle who is legally liable does not have insurance. In some states, it may also pay you for damage to personal property in the covered vehicle at the time of an accident. This coverage is not available in all states.

Common Exclusions: No coverage for property damage sustained by a covered vehicle while (1) being used to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee; or (2) a covered vehicle without the permission of you or a relative.