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

Length of time in life and health insurance in which an employee can apply for and pay the first premium without having to show evidence of insurability (take a physical examination). The ...

Policy permitting an insured to choose desired coverages. These policies are important for items with relatively low limits of coverage under standard property insurance forms. For example, ...

method of gaining illegal entry to perform a criminal act. If a policyholder makes a claim for loss of jewelry or rugs under a homeowners policy, or if a business owner makes a claim for ...

Type of organization of property and casualty insurance companies whose objective is to share information on fraudulent claims, handle claims in an expeditious manner, and disseminate ...

Percentage of confidence in a finding. For example, if an insurance company's total loss reserves should be $10,000,000 in order to attain an 80% confidence level that enough money will be ...

Property, liability, or health coverage above the primary amount of insurance. For example, the primary coverage is $100,000 and the excess insurance is $1 million. After the losses exceed ...

Insurer's total payments resulting from a claim, including all related expenses, less any recoveries from salvage, reinsurance, and the exercise of subrogation rights or other rights ...

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

Amount set up as a cushion against fluctuations in securities prices. ...

Popular Insurance Questions