IIC C11 - Principles and Practice of Insurance

Insurance contracts are built on the principle of utmost good faith, meaning applicants must disclose all material facts that could influence the insurer’s decision to accept the risk or determine the premium. Failing to mention a material fact—such as the home being unoccupied for long periods—is considered non-disclosure. Unoccupancy increases the risk of vandalism, frozen pipes, fire severity, and delayed emergency response, all of which affect underwriting decisions.

Option A, negligence, refers to failure to act with reasonable care, not failure to disclose.

Option C, breach of warranty, applies only after a policy is in force and a condition guaranteed to be true is violated.

Option D, discharge of contract, refers to cancellation or completion of contractual obligations.

Since the issue arises during the application stage and involves withholding a material fact, the correct classification is non-disclosure.

Spacecraft liability is anextremely specialized, high-severity, low-frequency riskrequiring underwriting expertise not found in standard insurers. TheLloyd’s marketis internationally known for insuring unique, complex, and unusual risks—from satellites and spacecraft to aviation and marine exposures. Lloyd’s operates as a marketplace of syndicates, allowing multiple underwriters to participate in a single risk, making it ideal for large and unusual exposures.

A health/life insurer (B) is irrelevant; they do not underwrite commercial liability exposures.

A captive insurer (C) could theoretically insure such a risk but requires the client tocreate and fundtheir own insurance company—impractical unless they are very large and sophisticated.

Government insurers (D) generally insure auto, workers' comp, or agricultural risks—not spacecraft.

Thus the best recommendation isA: Lloyd’s Insurance Market.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation (150–250 words):

Amortgage clauseis a specialized provision within property insurance policies that protects the financial interest of amortgagee—typically a bank or lending institution—when real property is used as collateral for a loan. Under thePrinciples and Practice of Insurance, this clause creates aseparate contract of insurancebetween the mortgagee and the insurer. This is critical because it ensures that the mortgagee’s protection remains intact even if the insured violates policy conditions (such as failing to maintain the property or committing fraud).

This clause ensures that any loss settlement will first satisfy the mortgagee’s insurable interest before any residual payment goes to the property owner. It also obligates the insurer to notify the mortgagee of policy cancellation or material changes, providing the lender an opportunity to take protective measures, such as force-placed insurance.

The mortgage clause is distinct from other clauses: abailee clauserelates to property held by others for repair or cleaning, alienholder clauseis used for movable property like automobiles, and anadditional interest clauseoffers limited notice but not the full contractual protection afforded to a mortgagee. Thus, the correct and most protective clause for real property isB. Mortgage clause.

A claims adjuster’s primary initial responsibility is to receive, record, and gather preliminary information about a loss. This includes confirming the identity of the insured, the date and circumstances of the loss, and whether the situation appears to fall within the policy period and coverage. The adjuster also must ask probing questions to obtain the essential facts to begin an investigation. This early information is critical because it guides further steps such as contacting witnesses, arranging inspections, evaluating liability, and determining the need for expert reports.

Option A is incorrect because an adjuster cannot confirm coverage until a full review of the policy and the facts is completed. Option C is incorrect because the adjuster uses an independent adjuster’s report but is not required to “verify no errors” in a formal sense; they assess and evaluate the report’s content. Option D is unrelated to claims adjusting—premium changes are underwriting functions.

Therefore, the adjuster’s correct responsibility at the early stage is to record preliminary details and obtain further necessary information, making B the accurate answer.

Chattelrefers tomovable personal property(as opposed to real property/land). Insurance policies that cover chattels protect items such as furniture, machinery, mobile homes, and other movable property.

Amobile homeis specifically recognized as chattel because it is transportable and not permanently affixed to land. Therefore, a mobile home qualifies for chattel insurance coverage.

Option A is atravel insurancerisk.

Option C is anevent prize indemnity risk, not related to chattel.

Option D isprofessional liability(errors & omissions), which covers negligence, not movable property.

Thus, the risk insurable under chattel coverage is amobile home, makingBthe correct choice.

Purchasing insurance that covers customers’ goods in transit enhances the company’s ability toattract more clients, which is referred to asgreater acquisition potential. Clients feel more confident choosing a mover that offers protection for their belongings, especially when transporting high-value items. This competitive advantage increases business opportunities and strengthens the company’s reputation.

Option B—“feeling of security”—is a benefit but applies to theinsured party, not the business’s competitive positioning. Option C is incorrect because purchasing insurance does not provide additional capital; it is a business cost. Option D (subscription policies) has no connection to transit insurance.

Therefore, the most direct business benefit for the moving company isA: Greater acquisition potential.

When two insurers cover the same property, theprinciple of contributionapplies. Each insurer pays a proportion of the loss based on its share of the total insurance in force. Here:

Total insurance = $300,000 + $100,000 = $400,000

Insurer A’s share = 300,000 / 400,000 =75%

Insurer B’s share = 100,000 / 400,000 =25%

Loss = $80,000

Insurer A pays 75% × 80,000 =$60,000

Insurer B pays 25% × 80,000 =$20,000

Thus,Cis correct.

Comprehensive Explanation (150–250 words):

When a vehicle is deemed a total loss, the insurer typically pays theactual cash value (ACV)minus thedeductible. If the insured decides to keep the salvage, thesalvage valuemust also be deducted from the settlement, because the insured retains something of monetary worth.

The formula for this situation is:

Settlement=ACV−Deductible−Salvage Value\text{Settlement} = \text{ACV} - \text{Deductible} - \text{Salvage Value}Settlement=ACV−Deductible−Salvage Value

Using Ivana’s numbers:

ACV = $17,000

Deductible = $1,500

Salvage value = $3,000

17,000−1,500−3,000=12,50017,000 - 1,500 - 3,000 = 12,50017,000−1,500−3,000=12,500

Therefore, Ivana receives$12,500, and she keeps the damaged vehicle, which she values for personal reasons.

Option B ($14,000) ignores the salvage deduction.

Option C ($15,500) ignores the deductible.

Option D ($17,000) ignores both deductible and salvage, which is not permitted.

The only correct settlement amount is$12,500.

Abrokeris an independent insurance intermediary who represents theinsured, not the insurer, yet also interacts professionally with insurers to place coverage. Brokers typicallyown their client lists, have the freedom to place business with multiple insurers, and earn income throughcommissionsonce policies are sold or renewed. They are obligated to provide impartial advice and ensure clients receive suitable coverage.

Underwriters (option B) do not own client lists and do not earn commissions; they work for insurers evaluating risks. Exclusive agents (option C) representone insurer onlyand generally do not own their book of business. Independent adjusters (option D) investigate and adjust claims—they do not sell insurance nor hold client lists.

Orianna’s described attributes—ownership of clients, acting for both parties, and earning commissions—match precisely the role of abroker, makingAcorrect.

In anon-proportional excess of losscontract, the reinsurer pays only the amountabove the retention (the deductible), up to its limit.

Retention =$300,000

Reinsurer’s limit =$600,000

Maximum reinsurance payout =$600,000

Now apply it to a$600,000 loss:

Cover It Insurance pays the first$300,000(its retention).

The remaining$300,000is within the reinsurer’s limit, so ZYX-Reinsurance pays$300,000.

Option A is incorrect—loss does not exceed retention, so reinsurer pays nothing.

Option B is incorrect—no reinsurance applies below $300,000.

Option D is incorrect because for a $900,000 loss, reinsurer would pay themaximum limit of $600,000, but Cover It would pay $300,000 retention plus the remaining $0? Actually total loss 900k: cover it pays 300k retention + 0 above? No, Cover It also pays any amount above reinsurance layer -> 900k minus 300k retention minus 600k limit = 0. The answer shown is still incorrect based on the numbers.

OnlyCis correctly calculated.