Accident Terms and Definitions

Private Passenger Automobile
Four-wheeled motor vehicles of the private passenger, station wagon, or van type. Private passenger automobiles are designed for use on public highways and subject to motor vehicle registration.

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

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.

Comparative Negligence
The percentage of fault shared by each driver in an accident in which both contribute to causing the collision.

Venue
The specific county, city or geographical area in which a court has jurisdiction

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

Policy
Written contract of insurance.

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.

Producer
A term applied to an agent, solicitor or other person who sells insurance.

Limits
The maximum amount of benefits the insurance company agrees to pay in the event of a loss.