For accounting and classification purposes it is the treaty year in which a contract was written or renewed. Applies to proportional reinsurance. See UNDERWRITING YEAR SYSTEM.
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The calendar year during which the risk attaches on the original Insurance.
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the accounting year of an insurer or Lloyd’s syndicate to which insurance business relates, usually determined by the date of inception; reinsurance contracts may be written by reference to the insurer’s business of a particular underwriting year, and will remain in force until all the claims referable to that underwriting have been settled.
Tag: UK
Underwriting year system
Method in proportional treaty reinsurance whereby all premiums and losses relating to an underwriting year are accounted to that year regardless of when such losses arise or when such premiums and losses are paid.
Undiscovered loss clause
Cargo clause providing cover for losses that are not discovered until the boxes are opened after the termination of the risk. Externally the box or package appears in good condition, but contains concealed damage.
Unearned Premium Insurance
See: Aviation Unearned Premium INSURANCE.
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Insurance against loss by the insured of unearned premium due to payment of a claim made prior to the end of the term for which the premium was paid. A loss on the second day of a Policy written for a year would have the effect of being expenses over an eleven month period, during which time the Insurance Company would not be insuring the risks since the risk did not exist any longer and thus it would be unearned.
Unearned premium/unearned premium reserve
That part of the premium or reinsurance premium applicable to the unexpired portion of the policy. The unearned premium reserve is the accounting provision at a specific time that reflects the total amount of unearned premiums. The effect is to write down current profits by the reserve and carry it forward as income in the next financial year.
Unearned premiums provision
an amount representing a pro rata spread of premiums (sometimes less acquisition costs) carried forward from one accounting period to the next in recognition of the unexpired period of contracts remaining at the balance sheet date.
Unenforceable contract
A contract defective only in the sense that it cannot be enforced by direct legal action. The contract is otherwise valid and subsisting, so a transferee of property gains a good title and any deposit paid may be retained. A contract of fidelity guarantee not in writing would be unenforceable (the Statute of Frauds).
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This is one, which lacks some evidential features. The contract is a valid one otherwise, but could not be enforced in a court of law.
Unexpired risk reserve
Provision to safeguard the insurer against any deficiency in the unearned premium reserve. The risk reserve also allows for possible claims under contingency policies that run in perpetuity and do not lend themselves to annual apportionment.
Unexpired risks provision
(1) a provision for claims expected to arise in respect of the unexpired period of contracts in existence at the balance sheet date; (2) the excess of the amount of unexpired risks over the unearned premiums.
Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
Governs a trader’s ability to restrict his liability. Any clause restricting negligence liability for death/injury is void. The following clauses will be void unless reasonable. (a) those attempting to restrict negligence liability for loss or damage to property; (b) standard term clauses limiting liability for breach contract; (iii) those requiring a consumer to indemnify any other party for negligence or breach of contract. It also provides that a trader cannot exclude a consumer’s statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979. The Act lays down a test of reasonableness. Insurance policies are exempt from the Act.