What Are Insurances?

Insurances are forms of risk management. They are mainly meant to protect someone against the risk of a specific, unknown loss. They are defined as the fair transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. Insurance involves an insurer, which is a company selling the insurance and an insured or policyholder, who is the beneficiary of the policy.

Any measurable risk can potentially be insured. An insurance policy establishes in detail which perils are covered by the policy and which are not. There are several types of insurance: for business, also called professional indemnity, for home, health, accident, sickness, unemployment, property. After September 11th 2001 it appeared even the demand for terrorism insurance, which provides protection against damage caused by terrorist activities.

Indemnity is a sum paid by the indemnitor as compensation for a certain loss suffered by the indemnitee. As forms of indemnity we can mention cash payments, replacement, repairs and reinstatement. Indemnity insurance assumes the financial responsibility to replace any damage or injury that the policyholder might cause to a third party. It can be personal or professional.

In case of personal indemnity the insurance company indemnifies the insured for any loss or damage outlined in the policy. The relationship between a landlord and a tenant constitutes a good example of the kind. On one side, tenants take responsibility for damage caused to the property while they are using it. On the other side, the landlord has to pay for injuries caused to the tenant within the property premises, due to faults already existent in the property and of which the former one had been notified. With personal indemnity insurance you might be saved from the burden of incurring supplementary expense.

Professional indemnity policy protects entities or people against damages caused to clients as a result of their action, inaction or advice. Professions such as medicine, law, accountancy, architecture and beauty do require such insurance. This is a hedge against any legal liability due to errors committed while performing the tasks assigned to them. Moreover, you can receive professional and financial support in case of a lawsuit or when trying to amend your mistakes. Without any doubt, personal and professional insurance prove to be of great importance as they cover for your finances as well as your reputation.