An insurance binder is temporary proof of new or changing insurance, to be used until your official new policy arrives in the mail.
In the world of insurance, things can get complicated. There are so many different types of polices and lots of terminology to know about. One common term you’ll likely come across is “insurance binder.” So what exactly is that? An insurance binder is confirmation of an agreement between an insurance company and customer. It confirms, in writing, that an insurance policy is being issued. It represents proof of insurance that you will need, for various reasons, until your official policy arrives in the mail. Another way to think about binders are that they are temporary proof of insurance until the official insurance policy is prepared.
Insurance binders tend to be issued for a limited time. They typically have an expiry date attached to them. Most insurance binders are only good for 30 days or less. The binder identifies the insured item, basic conditions, coverages, deductibles, and names of the policy owner. All that information will also appear on the formal insurance contract.
The insurance binder includes all the pertinent information about the insurance contract that has been purchased. This includes the “risk,” or what is being insured, such as a vehicle or home. This means make, model and VIN of a vehicle or the address of an insured home or property. Additionally, it will include the amount of coverage (and what kind) the policy contains.
Insurance binders also usually identify deductible amounts and coverage limits. The type of coverage (and potential limits) will also likely be mentioned. By law, an insurance binder must specify the name of the person being insured. It must also specify any other individuals who are named in the insurance policy, such as a spouse, child, or co-owner of a home or vehicle.
A binder also must clearly indicate the insurance company, along with contact information for them. It might also name an insurance agent who authorized the binder and who serves as a point of contact for any claims made.