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What is an ‘insurable interest’?
A person has an "insurable interest" in something when loss or damage to it would cause that person to suffer a financial loss or certain other kinds of losses. For example, if the house you own is damaged by fire, the value of your house has been reduced, and whether you pay to have the house rebuilt or sell it at a reduced price, you have suffered a financial loss resulting from the fire. By contrast, if your neighbor's house, which you do not own, is damaged by fire, you may feel sympathy for your neighbor and you may be emotionally upset, but you have not suffered a financial loss from the fire. You have an insurable interest in your own house, but in this example you do not have an insurable interest in your neighbor's house.
A basic requirement for all types of insurance is the person who buys a policy must have an insurable interest in the subject of the insurance. You have an insurable interest in any property you own or which is in your possession.
For purposes of life insurance, everyone is considered to have an insurable interest in their own lives as well as the lives of their spouses and dependents. For property and casualty insurance, the insurable interest must exist both at the time the insurance is purchased and at the time a loss occurs. For life insurance, the insurable interest only needs to exist at the time the policy is purchased. |
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Are there legal limitations on insurance company business practices?
Are there any limitations on what an insurance company can charge for insurance?
Can an insurance company cancel my policy for any reason it chooses?
Can I cancel my policy at any time and will there be a penalty?
What happens when there is a claim?
If I am sued, does my insurance company defend me in court?
If I am sued, can my insurance company settle the case without my consent?
What is a ‘reservation of rights’ letter?
What can I do when an insurance company refuses to pay a claim?
Lawsuit for ‘bad faith’
Are there any options for resolving a dispute with my insurance company other than suing the company in court?Arbitration
Complaint to department of insurance
What are ‘exclusions’ and ‘limitations’ and how do they affect my coverage?
Are there any government agencies that regulate how insurance companies operate?
Why would someone need or be required to have insurance?
Is a business required to provide health, life and other insurance coverage for its employees?
What is an insurance policy?
What is an ‘insurable interest’?
What am I required to do when I have a claim?
Can an insurance company refuse to sell me insurance for any reason it chooses?
If I miss a premium payment and get a cancellation notice, is there anything I can do to be able to keep the policy?
If I think certain words in my policy mean something different from what my insurance company says they mean, how do we resolve it?
How does an insurance policy ‘protect’ me?
I have a friend who is an avid motorcycle rider and who particularly enjoys driving while drunk. Can I take a out a large insurance policy on him? My odds of collecting are higher than the lottery!
We have a policy limit of $100,000. Does this mean that any medical bills, damages, legal fees, etc. That exceed that limit are my responsibility?
Why does it matter that I give an adjuster my social security number?
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