Accident Terms and Definitions

Liability Insurance
Coverage for a policyholder's legal liability resulting from injuries to other persons or damage to their property.

Summons
Document or writ directing the sheriff or other officer to notify a person that an action has been commenced against him in court and that he is required to appear, on a certain day, and answer the complaint in such action.

Broker
A person who for payment of a fee procures insurance on your behalf.

Flood Damage Title
States issue flood titles when a vehicle has been in a flood or has received extensive water damage.

Hit and Run
An accident caused by someone who does not stop to assist or provide the required and necessary information.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Pays for bodily injury or wrongful death caused by an underinsured motor vehicle (that is, a vehicle which is insured, but at an amount that is less than your uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) limits).

Gap Insurance
Insurance that pays the difference between the actual cash value of a vehicle and the amount still to be paid on the loan. Some gap policies may also cover the amount of the deductible.

Airbag Deployment
Occurs when the driver, passenger or side airbag has been used or deployed during a crash or other incident.

Subpoena
Document issued by the authority of the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or produce documentary evidence in a proceeding. Failure to appear or produce is punishable by contempt of court.

Policy
Written contract of insurance.