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

Model state law of the NAIC that stipulates that the contract owner must receive annual reports concerning the annuity unit values, the manner in which the variable benefits are calculated, ...

Proportion of a premium allocated to pay losses, which is equivalent to (1.00 - expense ratio). ...

Individual (s) entitled to receive the income generated by the trust. ...

Plan that provides protection in the event of legal actions resulting from charges of harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination of employment, defamation, and invasion of privacy. ...

Person for whom the trust was created and who receives the benefits thereof. In many instances a trust is established to prevent the careless exhaustion of an estate. For example, the ...

Right of survivors to the interest in property of a deceased joint tenant as the result of property held in joint tenancy. ...

Coverage that provides monthly income payments for as long as an insured remains disabled. The insurance policy defines the nature of the disability it covers. Most policies discontinue ...

What is SSDI? It is a form of financial aid for people living with a disability that impacts their quality of life. As one of the largest Federal programs designed to provide assistance to ...

basic feature of the social security act under which benefits paid are associated with the employee's earnings that have been taxed during the employment period. ...

Popular Insurance Questions