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

Policy that has an initial premium with flexible premiums thereafter. Within limits, a policy owner can select both the future amount and frequency of premiums, or can stop and start ...

Act that prohibits insurance companies, group health plans, and health maintenance organizations from establishing lifetime limits or annual limits on mental health coverage that are lower ...

Unallocated funding instrument for pension plans under which premiums are placed on deposit, and are not currently allocated to the purchase of benefits for the employee. At retirement, an ...

Statutory underwriting gain minus (or loss plus) policyholder's dividends. ...

Coverage if state or municipal law requires that a damaged or destroyed building must be rebuilt at an increased cost to comply with building code provisions that were not in effect when ...

Same as term Deposit Term Life Insurance: policy in which a premium (the deposit) is paid in the first policy year, in addition to the regular term insurance premiums required. The deposit ...

Particular type of inland marine insurance. ...

Determination that group plans offering legal services are limited to an annual tax-free benefit of $70 per employee; group plans may offer employer-provided educational assistance plans on ...

Federal law passed in 1920 that allows any seaman incurring bodily injury as the result of the performance of one or more functions of the job to bring a suit for damages against the ...

Popular Insurance Questions