Definition of "Law of large numbers"

Nora  Sienra real estate agent

Written by

Nora Sienraelite badge icon

Chateaux Realty

Mathematical premise stating that the greater the number of exposures, (1) the more accurate the prediction; (2) the less the deviation of the actual losses from the expected losses (X - x approaches zero); and (3) the greater the credibility of the prediction (credibility approaches 1). This law forms the basis for the statistical expectation of loss upon which premium rates for insurance policies are calculated. Out of a large group of policyholders the insurance company can fairly accurately predict not by name but by number, the number of policyholders who will suffer a loss. Life insurance premiums are loaded for the expected loss plus modest deviations. For example, if a life insurance company expects (x) 10,000 of its policy-holders to die in a particular year and that number or fewer actually die (X), there is no cause for concern on the part of the company's actuaries. However, if the life insurance company expects (*) 10,000 of its policyholders to die in a particular year and more than that number dies (X) there is much cause for concern by actuaries.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Element used to adjust losses to reflect the incurred but not reported claim (IBNR) under the retrospective method of rating. ...

Death caused by a person without legal justification. Wrongful death may be the result of negligence, such as when a drunken driver hits and kills someone; or it may be intentional, as when ...

Insurance company incorporated according to the laws of the state in which a risk is located and the policy issued. The insurance company is domiciled in that state. ...

Circumstances that encourage the organization of pension plans by employers. For example, employer contributions are tax deductible as business expenses and not currently taxable income to ...

Written contract between an insured and an insurance company stating the obligations and responsibilities of each party. ...

Insurance policy that differs from the standard form. ...

Same as term Deviated Rate: rates used by a property and casualty insurance company that are different from that suggested by a rating bureau. An insurance company may use deviated rates ...

Actuary, appointed by the life insurance company, required by the national association of insurance commissioners (naic) under the naic: standard valuation law to provide an opinion as to ...

Type of pension in which benefits may vary depending on the investment performance of the pension plan assets. Contributions are made to fund a target benefit, such as 35% of compensation, ...

Popular Insurance Questions