Towing and labor coverage — Auto insurance coverage that pays for towing charges when a car can?t be driven
Third-party administrator (TPA) — An organization that performs managerial and clerical functions related to an employee benefit insurance plan by an individual or committee that is not an original party to the benefit plan.
Variable life insurance — A type of whole life policy in which the death benefit and the cash value fluctuate according to the investment performance of a separate account fund that the policyholder selects
Underwriter — The person who reviews an application for insurance and decides if the applicant is acceptable and at what premium rate.
Title Insurance – A form of insurance which insures against a financial loss from defect in title to real property and from invalid mortgage loans
Unearned premium — The amount of a pre-paid premium that has not yet been used to buy coverage. For instance, if a policyholder paid in advance for a six-month premium, but then cancel the policy after two months, the company must refund the remaining four months of «unearned» premium.
Unemployment Insurance – Insurance typically purchased in connection with a consumer credit transaction to provide payment of a specified monthly amount in the event of involuntary unemployment.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage — Auto insurance coverage that pays for the policyholder’s injuries and property damage caused by a hit-and-run driver or a motorist without liability insurance. It will also pay when medical and car repair bills are higher than the other driver?s liability coverage.
Universal life insurance — The key characteristic of universal life insurance is flexibility. Within limits, a policyholder can choose the amount of insurance and the premium they want to pay. The policy will stay in force as long as the policy value is sufficient to pay the costs and expenses of the policy. The policy value is «interest-sensitive,» which means that it varies in accordance with the general financial climate. Lowering the death benefit and raising the premium will increase the growth rate of your policy. The opposite also is true. Raising the death benefit and lowering the premium will slow the growth of your policy. If insufficient premiums are paid, the policy could lapse without value before the maturity date is reached. (The maturity date is the time your policy ceases and cash surrender value would be payable if the policyholder is still living.) Therefore, it is the policyholder’s responsibility to consistently pay a premium that is high enough to ensure that the policy?s value will be adequate to pay the monthly cost of the policy. The company is required to send an annual report and also to notify the policyholder if they are in danger of losing their policy due to insufficient value.
Usual and customary — The charge for medical services that refers to the amount approved by the carrier for payment. These charges may be based on rates usually charged by physicians and providers in your area; rate averages compiled by independent rating services; or rate averages compiled by the insurance company.
Utilization review — The review process aimed at helping HMOs and insurance companies reduce health care costs by avoiding unnecessary care. The review includes evaluating requests for medical treatment and determining, on a case-by-case basis, whether that treatment is necessary.
Variable annuity — A form of annuity policy under which the amount of each benefit payment is not guaranteed and specified in the policy, but which instead fluctuates according to the earnings of a separate account fund.
Because the investment account is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the policyholder must be presented with a prospectus before they purchase a variable life policy.