Premium - The Cost of Insurance
In plain language: A premium is the amount you pay to an insurance company to get insurance coverage. It's like paying rent for a house; you pay for a space (coverage) to protect your belongings (assets).
Technical definition: The premium is the amount an insured individual or business pays in return for an insurance coverage. It is most often expressed as an annual or semi-annual dollar amount.
The premium cost is typically indicated on the insurance policy's declarations page, and it can be influenced by various factors, commonly recognized in actuarial assessments.
Ever wondered why insurance premiums differ from one person to another, or why they change over time? It's because premiums are determined by a series of factors ― risk factors, coverage type, policy period, and more.
TL;DR
What Is a Premium in Insurance?
In insurance, a premium is what you pay for the financial protection that your insurance policy provides. Premium payment plans can be monthly, semi-annually, or annually, based on the policy terms.
Premiums are calculated based on risk assessments performed by insurance companies using statistical models grounded in economic theory. Some factors contributing to this risk evaluation are the insured's health history (for health and life insurance), driving record (for auto insurance), claims history, and geographic location.
Premium costs correlate with the amount of coverage selected. Higher coverage levels typically result in more expensive premiums. Also, premium prices can increase if coverage changes are made during the policy period, such as adding more coverage or reducing deductibles.
Premiums play a pivotal role in insurance because they also ensure your policy remains active. Not paying your premium can lead to a lapse in coverage.
Key Related Terms to Know
Common Questions About Premium
What is the difference between a premium and a deductible?
While insurance premiums are what you pay for the insurance policy, deductibles are what you pay out-of-pocket when making a claim before the insurance coverage kicks in. Higher deductibles usually lead to lower premiums and vice versa because the risk is shared differently.
How often do you pay insurance premiums?
The frequency of premium payments, whether monthly, semi-annually, or annually, depends on what is outlined in the insurance policy. Some insurance companies might also offer different payment options.
How can I save on my insurance premiums?
There are several ways to save on your insurance premiums. Shopping around for insurance companies offering competitive prices or discounts, maintaining a good credit record, and minimizing risk factors (like maintaining a clean driving record for auto insurance) are among the strategies you could use.
Why do my premiums increase?
Premiums can increase due to the addition of more coverage, decrease of deductibles, accumulation of claims filed, or changes to risk factors. Other external factors like changes in the legal or economic environment could also play a part.
Premium vs. Deductible
Insurance premiums and deductibles are two critical components of an insurance policy, but they're applied differently.
Comparison Area | Premium | Deductible
|
Primary use case | What you pay to get insurance coverage | What you pay out-of-pocket for a claim |
Coverage / concept type | Payment to the insurance company | Cost sharing with the insurance company |
Who is most affected by errors | The insured | The insured |
Common mistakes | Failing to pay on time, leading to lapse in coverage | Setting too low or too high, affecting the premium or out-of-pocket costs |
Real Claim Examples Involving Premium
Scenario 1: Jane has a health policy with a low premium but a high deductible. When she fell ill, she had to pay the high deductible amount out of pocket before her health insurance started covering medical expenses.
Scenario 2: John, a car owner with multiple claims on his auto insurance in just one policy period, found his premiums skyrocketed the next period due to his high risk.
Scenario 3: A small business had a group policy for its employees and maintained low claims throughout the year, which resulted in improvements in their premium rate at policy renewal.
Limitations and Common Mistakes
How to Explain Premium to Clients
Personal Lines client: "Consider insurance premiums as your contribution to a pool of funds that the insurance company uses to cover any losses you might experience. The amount you pay is calculated based on your individual risk factors."
Small Business owner: "In essence, an insurance premium is like an investment in safety. Your business pays this amount to ensure that if things go wrong, the insurance will step in to cover those issues. The amount you pay depends on several factors, such as the type of business and risks."
CFO or Risk Manager: "Insurance premium is a critical financial variable for any organization. It represents the expenses incurred for insurance protection. The premium amount is decided based on risk exposure, type of policy, and the extent of coverage selected."