Accident Terms and Definitions

Commission
That portion of the premium paid to the agent as compensation for his or her services.

Full Tort
With this selection you retain unrestricted rights to bring suit against the negligent party.

Limited Tort
Offers savings on your premiums. You are still able to recover all out-of-pocket medical and other expenses, however you are not able to recover non-monetary damages or receive payments for pain and suffering unless injuries are defined as serious.

Subpoena
Document issued by the authority of the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or produce documentary evidence in a proceeding. Failure to appear or produce is punishable by contempt of court.

Insurer
The insurance company providing the insurance.

Negligence
The absence of ordinary care.

Deductible
The amount of the loss which the insured is responsible to pay before benefits from the insurance policy are payable.

Misdemeanor
Criminal offenses less than felonies; generally those punishable by fine or imprisonment of less than 90 days in a local facility. A gross misdemeanor is a criminal offense for which an adult could be sent to jail for up to one year, pay a fine up to $5,000 or both.

Surcharge
An extra charge applied to the premium by the insurer, usually for at fault accidents or moving violations.

Scrapped
Vehicles that have been dismantled and/or crushed and should not return to the road.