Insurance Definitions

N Return To Alpha Index     Named Perils: Coverage in a property policy that provides protection against loss from only the perils specifically listed in the policy rather than protection from physical loss. Examples of named perils are fire, windstorm, theft, smoke, etc. National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): The association of insurance commissioners of various states formed to promote national uniformity in the regulation of insurance. Negligence: Failure to use the care that a reasonable and prudent person would have used under the same or similar circumstances. Net Premium: The portion of the premium rate which is designed to cover benefits of the policy, but not expenses, contingencies, or profit. The term is also used to describe the portion of the premium remitted to the home office by an agent after deduction of the agent's commission. No-Fault: A type of auto insurance mechanism whereby the right to sue another party for damages caused by negligence is limited and, in exchange, expanded first party benefits are offered. No-fault Automobile Insurance: A form of insurance by which a person's financial losses resulting from an automobile accident are paid by his or her own insurer regardless of who was at fault. Non-admitted Insurance Company: An insurance company not licensed to do business in a particular state; such a company, however, may sell excess and surplus insurance in that state if admitted insurers lack the capacity or expertise. Noncancellable: A contract that the insured has the right to continue in force by the timely payments of premiums set forth in the contract (1) until at least age 50 or (2) in the case of a policy issued after age 44 for at least five years from its date of issue, during which period the insurer has no right to make unilaterally any change in any provision of the contract while the contract is in force. Noncancellable Guaranteed Renewable Policy: An individual policy which the insured person has the right to continue to force until a specified age, such as to age 65, by the timely payment of premiums. During this period, the insurer has no right to unilaterally make any changes in any provision of the policy while it is in force. Nonconfining Sickness: A sickness that disables the insured person but does not confine him to his home or a hospital. Noncontributory: A term applied to employee benefit plans under which the employer bears the full cost of the benefits for the employees. One hundred percent of the eligible employees must be insured. Nondisabling Injury: An injury which may require medical care, but does not result in loss of working time or income. Nondisabling Injury Benefit: A benefit in some disability income policies providing payment for medical expense due to injury when medical care is necessary but the insured is not totally disabled. Nonforfeiture Option: One of the choices available if the policyholder discontinues premium payments on a policy with a cash value. This, if any, may be taken in cash, as extended term insurance or as reduced paid-up insurance. Nonmedical Limit: The maximum face value of a policy that a given company will issue without the applicant taking a medical examination. Nonoccupational Policy: Contract which insures a person against off-the-job accident or sickness. It does not cover disability resulting from injury or sickness covered by Workers' Compensation. Group accident and sickness policies are frequently non- occupational. Nonoccupational Policy: One that provides off-the-job coverage only; it does not cover loss resulting from accidents or sickness arising out of or in the course of employment or covered under any workers' compensation law. Nonparticipating Insurance: Plan of insurance under which the policy-holder is not entitled to share in the dividend distribution of the company. Nonparticipating Policy: A life insurance policy in which the company does not distribute to policyholders any part of its surplus. Note should be taken that premiums for nonparticipating polices are usually lower than for comparable participating polices. Note should also be taken that some nonparticipating polices have both a maximum premium and a current lower premium. The current premium reflects anticipated experience that is more favorable than the company is willing to guarantee, and it may be changed from time to time for the entire block of business to which the policy belongs. (See also: Participating policy) Nonparticipating Policy: One that does not provide for the payment of a dividend. Nonprofit Insurers: Persons organized under special state laws to provide hospital, medical, or dental insurance on a nonprofit basis. The laws exempt them from certain types of taxes.

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