This term may refer to:

(a) a member’s allocated capacity
(b) syndicate allocated capacity
(c)  the total underwriting capacity of all syndicates combined; or
(d) the underwriting capacity of an insurance company or reinsurance company.

A clause in an insurance contract which permits an insurer and/or an insured to cancel the contract before it is due to expire. The clause may provide for a return of premium in respect of the unused portion of the policy.

Where the cost of repairing the insured property, eg a car, exceeds the market value of that property. In such circumstances the insurer will pay the insured the market value of the insured property at the date of loss, subject to the terms of the policy (assuming the insurer is not under any obligation to provide a replacement).

A clause that makes the declarations contained in an insurance proposal form the “basis” of any contract of insurance that is made in consequence of the completion of that form. Such declarations are thereby converted into warranties with the result that if one of them is found to be untrue then the insurer may disclaim all liability under the relevant contract from the date of the breach, regardless as to whether the false declaration was material to the underwriting of the contract or causative of any loss.

Basis of insurance clauses are not normally found in personal lines insurance contracts sold in the United Kingdom and, where they appear in other contracts, they may be qualified by the inclusion of a term in the proposal form that the declarations made in that document are true to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person making the declarations.

A person who holds the property of another person (the bailor) under a contract or agreement according to which the property held is to be returned to the bailor or delivered somewhere to his order. A bailee for reward is paid for his services.

Earlier years. This term usually refers to earlier years of account which have been closed into another year of account by reinsurance to close.

Rules and practices that govern insurance business.

In the context of general insurance this refers to the purchase of cover in respect of an otherwise excluded peril by means of the payment of additional premium.

An initiative to increase the speed and efficiency with which business is transacted and also to reduce of the cost of doing business. It includes the promotion of contract certainty.

The commission that is payable to a broker for placing an insurance or reinsurance contract with an insurer or a reinsurer. Compare fee for service.

Although brokerage is payable by the insured as part of the gross premium the amount of brokerage is agreed by the insurer. The insured may request his broker to state the amount of his brokerage on a given placement. Similar considerations apply to reassureds under reinsurances.

Sometimes the term brokerage may be used to refer the business of a broker.

There are two types of broker involved in arranging insurance and reinsuranc: insurance brokers and reinsurance brokers. Some brokers act both as insurance brokers and reinsurance brokers.

Each syndicate has a box in the underwriting room at Lloyd’s from which business may be transacted with Lloyd’s brokers. Each box comprises a couple of opposite facing benches and desks at which the underwriters employed by the managing agent of the syndicate sit, plus some loose stools for the visiting Lloyd’s brokers to sit on. Most boxes have computer terminals as well as access to other information technology.

An agreement between a managing agent and a coverholder under which the managing agent delegates its authority to enter into a contract or contracts of insurance to be underwritten by the members of a syndicate.

Where the cost of repairing the insured property, eg a car, exceeds the market value of that property. In such circumstances the insurer will pay the insured the market value of the insured property at the date of loss, subject to the terms of the policy (assuming the insurer is not under any obligation to provide a replacement).

A clause that makes the declarations contained in an insurance proposal form the “basis” of any contract of insurance that is made in consequence of the completion of that form. Such declarations are thereby converted into warranties with the result that if one of them is found to be untrue then the insurer may disclaim all liability under the relevant contract from the date of the breach, regardless as to whether the false declaration was material to the underwriting of the contract or causative of any loss.

Basis of insurance clauses are not normally found in personal lines insurance contracts sold in the United Kingdom and, where they appear in other contracts, they may be qualified by the inclusion of a term in the proposal form that the declarations made in that document are true to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person making the declarations.

See prior years.

An agreement between insurers and reinsurers on a subscription risk specifying the terms on which the leading underwriter shall act as the agent of the following underwriters as regards the agreement of amendments to coverage terms.