Accident Terms and Definitions

Accident
A collision involving an automobile and anything that causes damage to the automobile, including other automobiles, telephone poles, buildings, and trees.

Collision
Pays for damage to your car caused by a collision with another vehicle or with any other object, regardless who was at fault.

Comprehensive Coverage
Pays for damage to your car caused by reason other than collision, such as fire, theft, windstorm, flood, etc.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Pays for bodily injury or wrongful death caused by an underinsured motor vehicle (that is, a vehicle which is insured, but at an amount that is less than your uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) limits).

Subrogation
The process in which an insurance company, after paying a loss to its insured, recovers the amount of the loss for damages (plus the insured's deductible) from the legally liable party.

Producer
A term applied to an agent, solicitor or other person who sells insurance.

Insurer
The insurance company providing the insurance.

Vehicle ID No. (VIN)
This 17 character number is unique to each vehicle. It identifies characteristics of the vehicle, including manufacturer, year, model, body, engine specifications, and serial number.

Policy
Written contract of insurance.

Broker
A person who for payment of a fee procures insurance on your behalf.