Special types

Generic term used by motor insurers to describe vehicles or mobile plant designed for special purposes, e.g. bulldozers, diggers, etc. They may be insured under motor (particularly for Road Traffic Act purposes), engineering or public liability policies. ‘Tool of trade’ risk is covered when they are used on site.

Special waiver clause

Professional indemnity clause whereby the insurer agrees not to exercise their right of avoidance where the insured shows that any non-disclosure or misrepresentation of facts or untrue statement at inception or any subsequent renewal was entirely innocent. Where the nondisclosure prejudices any claim, the insurer is able to reduce the amount payable to the sum that would have been payable in the absence of such prejudice.

Speculative risk

UK: A risk where the outcome may range from loss to gain. The prospect of gain induces businesses to take risks. Businesses control speculative risks by means of sound business practices such as hedging, market research, internal controls, etc., and forming limited liability companies. Insurance is not available to protect firms against insolvency. See HOLISTIC RISK MANAGEMENT; ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT.
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A type of risk not typically insurable, as it is not possible to predict whether it will succeed or fail.
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Risk that entails a chance of gain as well as a chance of loss. Contrast with Pure risk.
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The uncertainty of an event that could produce either a profit or a loss, such as a business venture or a gambling transaction.
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Uncertainty as to whether a gain or loss will occur. For example, in a business enterprise, there is a chance that the business will make or lose money. Speculative risks are not normally insurable.

Spiral

the situation that can arise when risks are repeatedly reinsured between a number of reinsurers who end up indirectly reinsuring themselves.

Split annuity

A combination of a single premium immediate annuity and a single premium deferred annuity whereby the premium is split between the two. The immediate annuity provides a current income, only part of which is taxed, while the deferred annuity accumulates over time to the original total premium invested.