Glossary of Terms Image Map

Glossary of Terms - A

Acceleration Clause

A loan provision that allows a lender, according to the terms of a mortgage or other loan contract, to make the entire unpaid balance of the loan (including principal and interest) due and payable if specified events of default should occur. Such conditions include failure to meet loan payments on time, insolvency, and nonpayment of taxes on mortgaged property.

Actual Cash Value

A common clause in property insurance contracts that determines the coverage amount based on the fair market value of an item at the time it was damaged, stolen, or destroyed.

Actuary

A specialist in the mathematics of risk, especially as it relates to insurance calculations such as expectancy, premiums, dividends, and annuity rates.

Additions and Alterations

Improvements made to a home (e.g., a new bathroom or a remodeled kitchen) that increase the home's value and that may require additional homeowners insurance coverage.

Adjuster

Individual employed by a property/casualty insurance company to settle claims brought by insureds. The adjuster evaluates each claim and then makes recommendations to the insurance company.

Adjustment Period

For adjustable-rate loans, the period of time between interest rate changes. For example, a mortgage with an adjustment period of one year is called a one-year ARM, and the interest rate can change once each year.

All-Risk

A type of homeowners insurance that covers losses resulting from each and every peril, except for those specifically excluded by the policy. Also known as open peril coverage.

Amortization

For loan purposes, the systematic process by which a lender calculates loan payments so as to liquidate a debt over time. Payments are made at specific time intervals to reduce the outstanding debt to zero at the end of the loan period.

Appraisal

A professional, formal, written estimation of the value of property.

Appreciation

Increase over time in the value of an asset such as a stock, bond, commodity, or real estate.

Assets

Property owned by a business, institution, or individual, such as cash, investments, personal property, real estate, and ownership in a business, that has a present market value or worth.

Assigned Risk Plan

Automobile insurance in which individuals who cannot obtain conventional liability coverage because of their poor driving records are placed in a residual market with insurance companies assigned to write policies for them at higher prices. These plans protect motorists who suffer injury or property damage through the negligence of bad drivers who otherwise would not have insurance.

Assignee

The party to whom an assignment (a transfer of property or rights to property) has been granted.

At-Risk

Property and assets exposed to the danger of loss.

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