A term used to distinguish from a valued form.
Insurance Encyclopedia
Actual Total Loss
This term derives from section 57 of the Marine Insurance Act 1906 (MIA) and refers to situations in marine insurance where;(a) the subject matter of the insurance is destroyed, (b) the subject matter of the insurance is so damaged as to be no longer be capable of still being described as the thing insured; or (c) the insured is deprived of the subject matter of the insurance forever. Section 58 of the MIA adds that where there is no news of a missing ship then after a reasonable period an actual loss may be presumed.
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According to the Marine Insurance Act, s.57, this occurs in three ways: (a) destruction of the subjectmatter; (b) subject-matter so damaged that ceases to be a thing of the kind insured (loss of specie’, e.g. cement becomes concrete); (c) the insured is irretrievably deprived of the subjectmatter. A fourth way (s.58) provides that if, after a reasonable time, there is no news of a missing ship, actual total loss is presumed.
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Actual total loss occurs (a) When the subject matter of the insurance is destroyed there is a clear case of actual total loss. The word “destroyed” is not to be interpreted literally. If a vessel is badly damaged by fire reducing it to charred metal, absolutely beyond repair, it is deemed to be total loss. Thus, total physical destruction is not contemplated. (b) When the goods are so damaged that they cease to be thing of the kind insured. This is known as “loss of specie.” If a vessel collides with rocks and is reduced to a complete state of dismemberment, thereby losing its characteristics form a ship fit to carry goods, an actual total loss occurs. When the sugar may be so damaged by sea water as to lose its character as sugar, there will be an actual total loss. Cement damaged by sea water may turn into concrete. Fish, fruit and other perishable goods may be so damaged by fermentation or putrefaction caused by sea water damage that they will lose their original character of the commodity insured. (c) Where the goods are so situated that the insured is irretrievably deprived of their possession. e.g., goods may be intact on a ship which has been captured during war and not released. If vessel founders at sea and it is practically impossible to save her by salvage measures an absolute total loss occurs. Cargo on board the vessel will also be actual total loss although it may be still intact. If a ship is missing and that if no news has been received after the lapse of a reasonable period, she is presumed to be an actual total loss by a marine peril.
Actuarial
Having to do with insurance mathematics. Describes the calculations made by an actuary. Actuarial calculations require basic data over a sufficient time period to permit likelihood of future vents to be predicted with a degree of certainty.
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Statistical calculations used to establish a managed care plan’s rates and premiums based on future projections of utilization and cost for a specific member or subscriber population.
Actuarial assumptions
Assumptions made by an actuary as a basis for the figures and estimates needed for an actuarial valuation. The assumptions are based around life expectancy, inflation, earnings levels and income from pension scheme investments. See ACTUARIAL REPORT.
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Mediical/US:1. Characteristics used in calculating the risks and costs of a plan (i.e., age, sex, and occupation of enrollees; location; utilization rates; and service costs) to calculate premium rates and reserves. 2. In relation to pension plans, these assumptions affect the amount of the yearly contribution to adequately fund a defined benefit pension plan (DBPP).
Actuarial balance
Difference between the summarized income rate and the summarized cost rate over a given valuation period.
Actuarial basis
Indicates either or both of the valuation method and the actuarial assumptions made for the purpose of an actuarial valuation.
Actuarial certificate
Issued by an actuary arising out of actuarial work. The work may include: (a) carrying out the solvency test required by some contracted out schemes; (b) certifying to the IR that pension scheme surpluses have been dealt with as required under ss.599A602, ICTA 1988; (c) the position on the minimum funding requirement under the Pensions Act 1995 ss.56-60; (d) the bulk transfer certificate under Regulation 12 of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Preservation of Benefit) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991/167).
Actuarial cost method
Method of calculating the annual amount a plan sponsor must contribute to fund a specific set of defined benefit pension plan (DBPP) benefits for a group of participants.
Actuarial deficiency
Amount by which the actuarial valuation of a pension scheme’s assets is less than the actuarial liability.
Actuarial deficit
Negative actuarial balance.