Pennsylvania Car Accident Glossary of Terms

In camera

In a judge's chambers; in private.

In camera inspection

Judge's private inspection of a document prior to his or her ruling on its admissibility or use at trial.

In camera proceedings

Trial or proceeding in a place not open to the public, usually in a judge's chambers.

Income loss benefit

In automobile insurance law, income loss payable under an automobile insurance policy is 80 percent of actual loss of gross income which commences after five working days have been lost after the accident and which ends in accordance with the terms of the policy. The income loss benefit is optional coverage. In Pennsylvania, the only required coverage is $5,000 in medical benefits.

Independent Medical Examination(IME)

Medical examination performed on an injured person by an insurance company doctor usually for the purpose of showing that an injury no longer exists or that it has decreased in severity.

Indemnity

To restore the victim of a loss, either in whole or in part, by payment of money or repair or replacement of the thing lost.

Informed consent

Person's agreement to allow something to happen, such as a medical procedure that is based on full disclosure of the facts necessary to make an intelligent decision.

Insurance

or insurance contract. A contract where, for the payment of a certain amount of money (" premium"), one party agrees to compensate another for a loss or injury arising from n specified unknown future event.

Insurance agent

See agent

Insurance adjuster

See adjuster.

Insurance broker

See broker.

Insurance commissioner

A public officer who has the duties of supervising the business of insurance as it is conducted in the state by foreign and domestic companies, issuing licenses, and approving insurance rates.

Insurance company

A corporation or association that is in the business of making insurance contracts.

Insurance policy

See policy of insurance.

Insured

The person who contracts with an insurance company and pays a premium for insurance coverage.

Insurer

The party that contractually agrees to compensate another for a loss or injury arising from a specified unknown future event; an insurance company.

Insurer bad faith

When an insurance company wrongfully denies payment of an insurance claim, wrongfully delays paying an insurance claim, or otherwise unreasonably denies or withholds the payment of insurance benefits that an insured is rightfully entitled to, the insurance company is said to have acted in "bad faith." An insured can file a bad faith action against an insurance company and may be entitled to certain damages

Interrogatories

A form of discovery that consists of written questions about the case that one party submits to the other party. The person answering the interrogatories is required to sign a sworn statement that the answers are true.

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