Accident Terms and Definitions

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

Misdemeanor
Criminal offenses less than felonies; generally those punishable by fine or imprisonment of less than 90 days in a local facility. A gross misdemeanor is a criminal offense for which an adult could be sent to jail for up to one year, pay a fine up to $5,000 or both.

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

Insurer
The insurance company providing the insurance.

Commissioner of Insurance
The title of the head of most state insurance departments. In some states, the Director or Superintendent of Insurance is used instead.

Subrogation
The process in which an insurance company, after paying a loss to its insured, recovers the amount of the loss for damages (plus the insured's deductible) from the legally liable party.

Collision
Pays for damage to your car caused by a collision with another vehicle or with any other object, regardless who was at fault.

Claim
Notice to an insurer of a loss that under the terms and conditions of a policy may be covered.

Full Tort
With this selection you retain unrestricted rights to bring suit against the negligent party.

Cancellation
The termination of an insurance policy before its normal expiration date.