Understanding insurance terminology is the first step to making smarter coverage decisions. This glossary covers every key term you'll encounter on your policy, in your agent's office, or when shopping for quotes.
A
Accident Forgiveness A policy feature that prevents your first at-fault accident from increasing your premium. Some insurers include it automatically for long-term customers; others offer it as a paid add-on.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) The current market value of your vehicle, factoring in depreciation. If your car is totaled, your insurer pays the ACV — not what you paid for it or what it costs to buy a new one.
If you owe more on your car loan than the ACV, you'll be responsible for the difference. Gap insurance covers this shortfall.
Agent A licensed professional who sells insurance policies. Captive agents work for a single insurer (e.g., State Farm agents). Independent agents represent multiple insurers and can compare rates for you.
At-Fault Designation given to the driver determined to have caused an accident. In at-fault states, the responsible driver's insurance pays for damages.
B
Bind / Binder To activate an insurance policy. A binder is temporary proof of coverage issued before your full policy documents are prepared.
Bodily Injury Liability (BI) Coverage that pays for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Expressed as two numbers (e.g., 100/300), representing the per-person and per-accident limits.
C
Claim A formal request to your insurance company to pay for a covered loss. Filing a claim starts the process of getting compensated for damage, injury, or theft.
CLUE Report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) A database that tracks your insurance claims history for the past 5–7 years. Insurers check your CLUE report when pricing your policy.
You can request a free copy of your CLUE report once per year through LexisNexis. Review it for errors — incorrect claims on your report can inflate your premium.
Collision Coverage Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision with another car or object, regardless of who was at fault. Typically subject to a deductible.
Comprehensive Coverage Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events: theft, vandalism, weather (hail, floods), fire, falling objects, and animal strikes. Also subject to a deductible.
Coverage Limits The maximum amount your insurer will pay for a covered claim. Expressed as dollar amounts per person, per accident, or per incident.
D
Declarations Page (Dec Page) The summary page of your policy that lists your coverages, limits, deductibles, premium, covered vehicles, and named drivers. This is the most important page in your policy.
Deductible The amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. For example, with a $1,000 deductible and $5,000 in damage, you pay $1,000 and your insurer pays $4,000.
Depreciation The decrease in your vehicle's value over time due to age, mileage, and wear. Depreciation is why your insurer's payout (ACV) is less than what you originally paid.
E
Endorsement (Rider) An addition or modification to your standard policy that changes your coverage. Examples include rental car coverage, roadside assistance, or custom equipment coverage.
Exclusion Specific situations, conditions, or types of damage that your policy does not cover. Common exclusions: intentional damage, racing, using your car for commercial purposes.
F
Filing (SR-22 / FR-44) A certificate that proves you carry the required minimum insurance. Required in some states after serious violations like DUI, driving without insurance, or multiple at-fault accidents.
An SR-22 isn't insurance itself — it's a form your insurer files with the state on your behalf. Not all insurers offer SR-22 filing, and those that do often charge higher premiums.
G
Gap Insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection) Covers the difference between what you owe on your car loan and your vehicle's actual cash value if it's totaled. Essential for new cars that depreciate quickly or loans with low down payments.
Grace Period A short window (typically 10–30 days) after your premium due date during which your policy remains active even if you haven't paid. Policies are usually canceled if payment isn't received by the end of the grace period.
I
Insurance Score (Credit-Based Insurance Score) A number derived from your credit history that insurers use to predict the likelihood of you filing a claim. Different from your standard credit score, though based on similar data. Used in most states.
L
Lapse in Coverage A period during which you had no active auto insurance. Even a short lapse can significantly increase your future premiums, as insurers view lapses as high-risk behavior.
Liability Insurance Coverage that pays for damage or injuries you cause to others. This is the coverage required by nearly every state. It does NOT cover your own injuries or vehicle damage.
M
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) Pays medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Unlike PIP, MedPay typically doesn't cover lost wages or non-medical expenses.
MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) Your official driving record from the state DMV. Insurers pull your MVR to check for violations, accidents, and license suspensions.
N
Named Insured The primary policyholder listed on the declarations page. The named insured has the most control over the policy, including making changes and filing claims.
No-Fault Insurance A system used in some states where each driver's own insurance pays for their injuries regardless of who caused the accident. Reduces lawsuits but typically requires PIP coverage.
P
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage that pays your medical bills, lost wages, and related expenses after an accident, regardless of fault. Required in no-fault states. More comprehensive than MedPay.
Premium The amount you pay for your insurance policy, usually quoted as a 6-month or annual rate. Your premium is determined by your risk profile, coverage choices, and available discounts.
Property Damage Liability (PD) Coverage that pays for damage you cause to other people's property — typically their vehicles, but also fences, buildings, mailboxes, etc.
R
Rental Reimbursement An optional coverage that pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim. Typically has a daily limit ($30–50/day) and a maximum duration.
S
Subrogation The process where your insurer recovers money from the at-fault party's insurer after paying your claim. If your insurer successfully subrogate, you may get your deductible back.
Surcharge An increase in your premium resulting from a specific event — typically an at-fault accident or traffic violation. Surcharges typically last 3–5 years.
T
Telematics Technology that monitors your driving behavior (speed, braking, mileage, time of day) to determine your premium. Programs like Progressive's Snapshot or Allstate's Drivewise use telematics.
Telematics programs can save safe drivers 10–30% on their premium. But they can also increase your rate if you drive aggressively. Most programs give you a preview period before locking in your rate.
Total Loss (Totaled) When the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds a threshold set by your state or insurer (typically 70–80% of ACV). The insurer pays you the ACV and takes ownership of the vehicle.
U
Umbrella Policy An additional liability policy that provides coverage beyond the limits of your auto and homeowners policies. Typically starts at $1 million and costs $200–400/year. Strongly recommended for anyone with significant assets.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) Pays the difference when the at-fault driver's insurance limits aren't enough to cover your damages. For example, if your damages are $80,000 and the other driver has $25,000 in coverage, UIM covers the $55,000 gap.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) Covers your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Also typically covers hit-and-run accidents.
V
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) A unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. Insurers use your VIN to identify your exact vehicle, including its safety features, theft risk, and repair costs.