Nebraska State Life and Health Insurance Exam Terms

Adverse Selection

Insuring of risks more prone to loss than the average

Agent/Producer

legal representative of an insurance company

Applicant/Proposed insured

a person applying for insurance

Hazard

Conditions that increase the probability of a loss

Moral

tendency toward increased risk (driving fast)

Morale

indifference towards risk (not locking the door)

Indemnity

restoring the insured to the condition that existed before loss

Insurance

Transfer of risk of loss from an individual to na insurer

Insurance Transaction

solicitation, negotiations or effectuation of a contract

Insured

Person covered by the insurance policy

Insurer

a company that issues an insurance policy

Law of Large Numbers

the larger the number of people with the same exposure to loss the more predictable the loss will be

Peril

the cause of loss

Policyowner

person who has the rights and privileges in he policy

Risk

uncertainty or chance of loss

Ownership

Stock (nonparticipating) Mutual (participating/dividends)

Domicile

Domestic (this state) Foreign (another state) Alien (another nation)

Required Elements of Contract

Agreement, Consideration, Competent Parties, Legal Purpose

Personal Contract

Between an insurer and an individual

Aleatory Contract

Exchange of unequal values

Unilateral Contract

Only one party is legally bound by the contract

Adhesion Contract

Contracts are accepted by the applicants as is

Conditional Contract

Both parties must meet certain conditions

Misrepresentation

An untrue statement on the insurance application

Warranty

An absolutely true statement

Concealment

Intentional withholding of material information

Fraud

Intentional act with the purpose of deceiving another party

Underwriting

Risk Selection and classification

3 Parts of Application

General Information, Medical Information, Agent's Report

Underwriting Sources

Application, Consumer Reports, MIB

Risk Classifications

Preferred, Standard, Substandard

Premium Factors

Mortality, Interest, Expense

Premium Payment Mode

Annual, Semi-annual, Quarterly, monthly. Higher the frequency the higher the payment

Conditional Receipt

When prem is given with the application, courageous is effective as of date of application

Statement of Good Health

Required if premium is paid at policy delivery.

Who must sign the application?

Agent and Applicant

Beneficiary

Person who receives the benefits from an insurance policy

Death Benefit

Amount paid upon the insured's death

Estate

Person's net worth

Life Insurance

Coverage on human lives

Personal Uses of Life Insurance

Survivorship protection, Estate Creation, Estate Conversion, Cash Accumulation, Liquidity

Key Person Insurance

Key employee is the insured, company is the applicant. Protects from lost of earnings

Face Amount

Amount of benefit stated in the policy

Key Features of Term Insurance

Pure Death Protection, Level Premiums, Renewable, Convertible

3 Types of Term Insurance

Level, Increasing, Decreasing

Key Features of Whole Life

Protection Until 100 years old, Level Premium, Cash Values and Lvings Benefits

3 Basic Types of Whole Life

Straight Life, Limited Payment, Single Premium

Adjustable Life Insurance

Term or Permanent, Policy owner can increase or decrease the premium the face amount of period of protection

Level Term Insurance

Face amount remains the same

Increasing Term Insurance

Face amount increases each year

Decreasing Term Insurance

Face amount decreases each year

Straight Whole Life

Premiums are paid until the insured's death or age 100

Limited Payment Whole Life

Premiums are paid up before age 100

Single Premium Whole Life

Policy is completely paid up after one premium

Universal Life Option A

Level Benefit Annually renewable term and cash amount

Universal Life Option B

Increasing Benefit Annually renewable term and cash amount

Key Features of Variable Life

Permanent Insurance, Fixed Premium, Cash Value, SEC Regulated, Insurance and Securities License

Key Features of Credit Life

Insurers the debtor and pay off balance of an, Creditor is owner and beneficiary

Key Features of Group Life

Natural Group, no evidence of insurability, master policy, certificates of insurance, conversion to individual insurance

Options

Ways to invest or distribute money available in a policy

Provisions

the lights and obligations within the contract

Riders

modify policy provisions

Assignment

Policy owner can transfer ownership to another person. Absolute and Collateral

Beneficiary Designation

Succesion: Primary vs Contingent Change of Beneficiary Revocable vs Irrevocable

Entire Contract

Policy with riders and amendments plus copy of application

Exclusions

Perils and hazards not covered

Free Look

Period of time after issue to return the policy or a refund of premium

Grace Period

Time allowed for payment of premium after due date

Incontestability

After a specified period of time, the insurer cannot deny a claim based on misstatements on the application

Legal Action

Period of time for legal action after a loss

Misstatement of Age

Death benefit is adjusted according to the insured's correct age

Ownership

Policy owner's rights and privileges within the period

Payment of Premiums

Premiums must be paid in advance

Reinstatement

Lapsed policies can be restored within a specified period

Statements of Insured

Considered representations and not warranties

Time of Payment of Claims

Insurer is required to pay claims within a specified time period

Nonforfeiture Options

Guarantees built into a policy. 1 Cash Surrender Value 2. Extended Term 3 Reduced Paid Up

Dividend Options

Only in participating Policies, not guaranteed, not taxable 1 Cash Payment 2 Reduction of Premium 3 Accumulation at Interest 4. One Year Term 5 Paid up additions 6 Paid up Insurance

Settlement Options

Methods Used to pay Death Benefits 1. Cash Payment 2 Fixed Period Installments 3 Fixed Amount Installments 5 Life Income

Waiver of Premium

Waives the premium in case of insured disability

Accelerated Benefit

Early payment of a portion of the death benefit to the insured

Spouse/Other/Childrens/Family Term

Cover for additional insureds for a limited time period

Accidental Death

Pays a multiple of the face amount

Cost of Living

Addresses the inflation cost

Return of Premium

Refunds the premium paid

Accumulation Period

Pay in period. Premiums are paid into an annuity

Annuitant

Natural person whose life expectancy is taken into consideration and who receives annuity payments

Annuitization Period

Pay out period. Income is paid to the annuitant

Annuity

Contract that provides income for a specified period of time or for life

Lump Sum

Single Payment

How Premium is Paid

Single Premium (Lump Sum) / Flexible Premium (Periodic Payments)

How Benefits are Available

Immediate (Within 1 yr) / Deferred (After 1 year)

Life Contingency Options

No guarantee that all the proceeds will be paid out

Annuities Certain

guarantee that all the proceeds will be paid out

Fixed Annuity

guranateed interest rate eve income payments in the general account

Variable Annuity

Interest rate and income payments are not guaranteed. Separate Account.Treated as securities

Uses of Annuities

Lump sum settlements. Qualified Retirement Plans, Education Funds

Earned Income

Salary wages, commisions

Qualified Plan

retirement plan that meets the irs guideline

Tax Deferred

withheld or postponed until a specified time in the future

Qualified Plan Requirements

Designed for benefit of employees. Formally written and communicated Nondiscriminatory. Permanent Vesting Requirement, IRS Approved

Traditional IRA

Earned Income, Pretax Requirements, Dollar amount limit for contributions, Age limit for contributions and distributions

Roth IRA

Earned Income, After-Tax Contributions, Dollar amount limit for contributions

Keogh Plan

Self employed plan

SEPs

Self employed or small employer

SIMPLES

small employer >100 employees

401K Profit Sharing

Any employer

403 B

non profits, schools

Policy Proceeds

death benefit

Rollover

tax free distribution of funds from one qualified plan to another

Surrender

early termination of a policy by a policy owner

Premiums

not tax deductible

Lump Sum Death Benefit

tax free

Death Benefit in installments

prinipal is tax free interest is taxable

Dividends

tax free return of unused premiums

Cash Value Accumulations

grow tax deferred, anything in excess of the premiums paid is taxable

Policy Loans

not taxable interest on outstanding loans

Surrenders

anything in excess of the premiums paid is taxable

Accidental Bodily Injury

unforeseen and unintended injury from accident

Coinsurance

Cost sharing by policy owner and insurer

Deductible

Amount of covered expenses paid by the policy-owner before the policy pays

Pre-existing Condition

Condition for which the insured received diagnosis or treatment prior to policy date

Sickness

Illness or disease that manifests itself while the policy is in force

Disability

Loss of income due to a disability

Hospital and Medical

Reimbursement benefits for a physician or hospital expenses

Long Term Care

Medically necessary services received in a nursing home or a person's own home

Common Policy Exclusions

War, Intentional self inflicted injuries, Elective Cosmetic Surgery, Coverage provided by govt plan, Criminal activity injury

Process of Issuing a Policy

Solicitation and Marketing, Underwriting, Policy Issue and Delivery

Solicitation and Marketing

Advertisements and sales presentations must be truthful and not misleading. Outline coverage

Underwriting - Application

Signatures on the application (Agent, applicant and insured)

Policy Issue and Delivery

Conditional receipt, statement of continued good health. Goes in effect when the premium is paid and policy is delivered

Benefit Period

Period of time for the monthly disability benefit payments

Closed Panel

Physicians provide services exclusively to members of a health organization

Fee-for-Service

Plans where providers receive a payment for billed charges for each service

Medical Expense Insurance

insurance that reimburses the policy-owner for hospital and medical costs

Open Panel

Physicians provide services to a health organization and its subscribers, but retain the right to treat nonmembers

Prepaid

Plans where providers are compensated regularly regardless of the services provided

Subscriber

An individual signed up for a prepaid plan

Basic Hospital/Medical/Surgical

Reimbursement insurance, first dollar coverage, limited coverage

Major Medical

Reimbursement insurance, deductibles and coinsurance, and Larger Benefit Limit

HMO

Preventive Care, Service Plan, prepared Basis, Limited service area and limited choice of providers, Gate-keeping

PPO

Indemnity Plan, Fee for Service, Open Panel, No primary care doctor

Disability Income Key Features

Replaces lost income, Individual/Group, Elimination Period

Disability Income Business Uses

Business overhead expense, Disability buyout, key-person/parterner

Group Health Key Features

Certificate of Insurance, Group Underwriting, Conversion to Individual Insurance without evidence of Insurability

Types of Group Health Insurance Plans

Individual Employer Groups, Associations, Multiple-Employer Trusts, MEWAs, Small Employer, Blanket Insurance, Contributory

COBRA

20 Employees, Extends Group Health Coverage to Terminated, Employees pay 102% of Prem, Limited period of coverage, Applies to health insurance only

Affordable Care Act

COverage till children are 26, No exlusions for pre-existing conditions, Qualified health plans, Essential Health Benefits

Provisions Standard

Define the rights and duties of the insurer and the policyholder

Riders Standard

Amendments attached to the policy that modify provisions

Cancellation

Insurer may cancel a policy within a specified period after issue by notifying the insured in writing

Change of Beneficiary

Policy owner can change the beneficiary with a written request to the insurer as long as the beneficiary is revocable

Change of Occupation

Insurer can adjust the benefits for a more hazardous occupation

Claims Forms

Insurer's duty to supply the forms to the insured within a specified number of days after notice of claim

Conformity with Statues

Policy promisions must conform to the minimum requirements of the state statutues

Entire Contract Provision

Policy with riders and amendments plus copy of the application

Free Look Provision

Period of time after issue to return the policy for a refund of premium

Grace Period Provision

Time allowed for payment of premium after due date

Illegal Occupation

Insurer is not liable for injuries resulting from participation in illegal activity

Insurance with Other Insurers

Insurers pay proportionate amount of any claim

Insuring Clause

General statement that identifies the basic agreement between the insurer and the insured

Legal Action Provision

Specifies the period of time for legal action after a loss

Misstatement of Age/Gender

Benefit is adjusted according to the insured correct age

Notice of Claims Provision

Insured duty to provide a notice to the insurer in the event of a loss

Payment of Claims Provision

Specifies to whom claims will be made

Physical Examination and Autopsy

Insurer's right to examine the insured at the insurers own expense if not prohibited by a state law

Proof of Loss Provision

Must be submitted within a specified period of time after loss

Reinstatement Provision

Lapsed policies can be restored within a specified period

Renewability Provision

Rights to cancel or renew coverage

Time Limit on Certain Defenses

After a specified period of time, the insurer cannot deny a claim based on misstatements on the application, except in cases of fraud

Time of Payment of Claims Provision

Claims must be paid immediately upon proof of loss, but no later than the time specified in the policy

Unpaid Premium Provision

Any past due premiums will be deducted from a claim

Impairment/Exlusions

Excludes coverage for a condition that is otherwise covered

Guaranteed Insurability

Allows to purchase additional amounts of disability income insurance without evidence of insurability

Multiple Indemnity

Doubles or triples of the benefit for accidental death

Renewability

Noncancellable, Cancellable, Guaranteed Renewable, Conditional Renewable, Optionally Renewable

Activities of Daily Living

Bathing, Continence, Dressing, Eating, Toileting, Transferring

Open Enrollment

Annual General Enrollment Period

Medicare

Federal Medical Expense Insurance. 65 yrs old Eligibility or Social Security Disability Income Benefit 2 years

Part A

Hospital Coverage

Part B

Medical Coverage

Part C

Medicare Advantage

Part D

Prescription Drugs

Medicare Supplement Policies

Private Insurance, Fills in gaps in Medicare Coverage, Plan A Core benefits, Guaranteed Renewable

Medicaid

State Insurance Program Insurance Program for Insufficient Income, Funded by Federal and State Government, Strict Requirements

Social Security Disability Income Insurance

EligibilityRequirements, meet definition of disability have proper insured status and satisfy the waiting period. Amount is based on the insured primary insurance amount

LTC Coverage Requirement

12 consecutive months, guaranteed renewable, elimination period, inflation protected, covers organic cognitive disorders

LTC Levels of CAre

Skilled Daily Nursing Care, Intermediate Rehabilitative care by medical personnel on occasional basis, Custodial Meeting Personal Needs, Home Health, Adult Day Care, Respite

Any Occupation

Insured is unable to perform any duties of the occupation for which he is suited by education training or experience

Nonoccupational Coverage

Claims that result from accidents or sicknesses that occur off the job

Occupational Coverage

Benefits for illness injury or disability resulting from accidents or sicknesses that occur on or off the job

Own Occupation

Insured is unable to perform any duties of his own occupation

Managed Care

Cost Containment Plans, Controlled Access to Providers, Comprehensive Case Management, Preventative Care, Risk Sharing

Workers Compensation

Work Related Injury or Sickness, 4 types of benefits medical income, death and rehabilitation, Benefits paid regardless of fault or negligence

Contributory Plan

Employee pays part of or the entire premium

Noncontributory Plan

The employer pays the entire premium

Disability Income

Prem - Not tax deductible
Benefits- Tax Free

Medical Expense and LTC

Premiums - Deductible as a medical expense (above threshold limit)

Employer Sponsored Group Health

Prem Paid by Employer - Deductible as a business expense, not taxable to the employee.
Benefits - Portion attributable to the employer's contribution is taxable to the employee in group disability

Key Person Disability and Disability Buy Sell Insurance

Premiums - Not Deductible to the Business
Benefits - Tax Free

Sole Proprietors and Partners

Premiums - Deductible up to 100%

Agent

Licensed person who solicits insurance on behalf of an insurance company

Broker

Licensed person who represents the insured

Commissioner/Director/Superintendent

Head of the Department of Insurance

Nonresident Agent

Agent who is licensed and resides in another state but is authorized to transact insurance in this state

Agent Qualifications

Age requirement, Examinations and education, forms and fees, good moral character

Types of Licensees

Resident vs Nonresident
Temporary License
Business Entity

Maintenance and Duration

Remains in force unless revoked.
License Renewal Schedule
Continuing Education
Reporting Change of Address
Agent Appointment

Department of Insurnce

Duties and Powers
Examination of insurers
Hearings
Cease and Desist Order

Guaranty Association

Protects Policyowners, insured and beneficiaries in case of insolvency.
Funded by member insurers
All authorized insurers are members of the Association

Defamation

the action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.

False Advertising

false, misleading, or unproven information to advertise products to consumers or advertising that does not disclose its source

Rebating

Returning a portion of the premium or the agent's/broker's commission on the premium to the insured or other inducements to place business with a specific insurer

Twisting

The act of inducing or attempt to induce a policy owner to drop an existing life insurance policy and to take another policy that is substantially the same kind by using misrepresentations or incomplete comparisons of the advantages and disadvantages of t

Fair Credit Reporting Act

Protects Consumers against circulation of inaccurate or obsolete information.
Consumer Reports and Investigative Consumer Reports.
Consumer Privacy Regulations

Fraud and False Statements

Willfully and with the intent to deceive making oral or written statements that are false or omitting materials.
Need written consent from insurance regulatory official to rejoin business.