insurance

An act of God refers to a severe, unanticipated natural event for which no human is responsible. Despite its facial religious connections, the phrase “act of God” is frequently used in otherwise secular statutory and case law.

An adjuster is an agent who handles insurance related claims commonly commissioned by an insurance company. The adjuster participates in the investigation and settlement of the claim.

Adjustment is a settlement, allowance, or deduction made on a debt or claim that has been objected to by a debtor or creditor in order to establish an equitable arrangement between the parties.  

“Aleatory” means that something is dependent on an uncertain event, a chance occurrence. Aleatory is used primarily as a descriptive term for insurance contracts. An aleatory contract is a contract where performance of the promise is dependent on the occurrence of a fortuitous event.

An alternate beneficiary is someone who will benefit from or gain ownership of property only if the primary beneficiary is unable or unwilling to take ownership. An alternative beneficiary in property law arises when someone bequests property to someone else, and if that person does not want or is unable to accept the property, the property can be willed to a designated alternative beneficiary.

Annuitant is an investor or a pension plan beneficiary who is entitled to receive the regular payments of a pension or an annuity. 

• insurance
• life insurance

A party who intentionally sets fire to their property with the purpose of collecting insurance money on that property is guilty of arson with the intent to defraud an insurer. Arson with the intent to defraud an insurer is a state law offense and can either be included within the general arson statute or exist as its own charge. 

• criminal law and procedure

Assigned risk is a method of providing certain types of insurance to those who otherwise would be denied coverage because they would be considered too high-risk. Individuals who have failed to gain coverage through the private market–also called the voluntary market–can apply to receive insurance through their state’s assigned risk “pool.” The state will assign the person to an insurance company within the pool, which must accept and insure that person. 

Assured is used to refer to a person who is protected by insurance coverage against any loss or damage mentioned in the insurance policy purchased from an insurance company or an underwriter. In the context of insurance, the terms “insured” and “assured” are generally used interchangeably as the person for whose benefit the policy is written and to whom the loss will be payable.

Avails are profits or proceeds, especially from the sale of property or the proceeds of an insurance policy.