Definition of "Rate making"

Process of calculating a premium so that it is adequate-sufficient to pay losses according to expected frequency and severity, thereby safeguarding against the insurance company becoming insolvent; reasonable-the insurance company should not be able to earn an excessive profit; and not unfairly discriminatory or inequitable. Theoretically, it can be said that each insurance applicant should pay a unique premium to reflect a different expectation of loss, but this would be impractical. Instead, classifications are established for applicants to be grouped according to similar expectation of loss. Statistical studies of a large number of nearly homogeneous exposures in each underwriting classification enable the projection of losses after adjustments for future inflation and statistical irregularities. The adjusted statistics are used to calculate the pure cost of protection, or pure premium, to which the insurance company adds on loads for agent commissions, premium taxes, administrative expenses, contingency reserves, other acquisition costs, and profit margin. The result is the gross premium to be charged to the insured.

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 requires that the insurance policy contain language that meets a readability test (usually, the Flesch readability test that uses a formula approach to ...

Retirement plan for an individual based on a single contract with a benefit based on current earnings, as if they will remain static until normal retirement age. As the earnings of the plan ...

Complete coverage for hospital and physician charges subject to deductibles and coinsurance. This coverage combines basic medical expense policy and major medical policy. ...

Mechanism used by a fidelity and surety insurance company to spread its liability through reinsurance by issuing a surplus treaty as a first layer of coverage, thereby enabling a cedent to ...

Life insurance contract that combines TERM LIFE INSURANCE with WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE. The term portion of the contract expires after a stipulated time period. If the insured dies during this ...

Business involved in buying and selling securities and mutual funds. ...

Association that represents reinsurance companies as well as insurance companies that do not market marine insurance. LIRMA and the institute of London underwriters share the same facility ...

Individuals other than the crew of a ship who forcefully steal the ship and/or its cargo. This event is an insured peril under ocean marine insurance. ...

First step in the risk management process. The objective is to determine the sources of losses. For example, the profit and loss statement of a business firm not only shows the sources of ...

Popular Insurance Questions