Glossary/W/Wear And Tear
    Insurance Term

    Wear And Tear

    Wear and tear is gradual deterioration from normal use, age, friction, weathering, or ordinary operation, commonly excluded from insurance.

    The term sits within the everyday language of risk, finance, HR, insurance placement, and policy servicing, so understanding it helps readers make better decisions and ask sharper questions. For example, a risk manager reviewing renewal may use the term when comparing policy wording, claims history, loss scenarios, premiums, deductibles, and contractual insurance requirements. A practical way to read it is to ask: how does this change the organisation’s retained risk, transfer of risk, governance, cash flow, or decision-making during a loss? The key is to read the term in context, because the same phrase can have a narrow technical meaning in a policy wording and a broader commercial meaning in everyday discussions. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.

    How to read it in your program

    What does this term mean for us? Read “Wear And Tear” in the exact context of your policy schedule, not just the headline definition.
    Where does it bite? Limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law shape the final outcome — even when the wording looks familiar.
    Who can confirm it? Your broker can confirm how the term applies to your specific program, employees, and renewal cycle.
    A note on context. The same word can carry a narrow technical meaning in policy wording and a broader commercial meaning in conversation. Two policies can use similar wording but reach different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law shape the final interpretation. When in doubt, compare the term against your exact contract wording and ask your broker how it applies to your situation.

    Where “Wear And Tear” shows up at VIMA

    Pages that explain how this works inside a live employee benefits programme.

    Related terms

    Terms that often appear alongside “Wear And Tear” in a policy schedule.

    Waiting PeriodWaiting period is a period that must pass before a benefit becomes payable or a condition becomes covered under an insurance or employee benefit plan. The term sits within the everyday language of risk, finance, HR, insurance placement, and policy servicing, so understanding it helps readers make better decisions and ask sharper questions. For example, a risk manager reviewing renewal may use the term when comparing policy wording, claims history, loss scenarios, premiums, deductibles, and contractual insurance requirements. A practical way to read it is to ask: how does this change the organisation’s retained risk, transfer of risk, governance, cash flow, or decision-making during a loss? The key is to read the term in context, because the same phrase can have a narrow technical meaning in a policy wording and a broader commercial meaning in everyday discussions. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.WaiverWaiver is the voluntary giving up of a right, requirement, premium, condition, or claim by a party entitled to enforce it. The term sits within the everyday language of risk, finance, HR, insurance placement, and policy servicing, so understanding it helps readers make better decisions and ask sharper questions. For example, a risk manager reviewing renewal may use the term when comparing policy wording, claims history, loss scenarios, premiums, deductibles, and contractual insurance requirements. A practical way to read it is to ask: how does this change the organisation’s retained risk, transfer of risk, governance, cash flow, or decision-making during a loss? The key is to read the term in context, because the same phrase can have a narrow technical meaning in a policy wording and a broader commercial meaning in everyday discussions. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.WarrantyWarranty is a policy term or promise that certain facts are true or certain actions will be done, and breach may affect coverage depending on law and wording. The term sits within the everyday language of risk, finance, HR, insurance placement, and policy servicing, so understanding it helps readers make better decisions and ask sharper questions. For example, a risk manager reviewing renewal may use the term when comparing policy wording, claims history, loss scenarios, premiums, deductibles, and contractual insurance requirements. A practical way to read it is to ask: how does this change the organisation’s retained risk, transfer of risk, governance, cash flow, or decision-making during a loss? The key is to read the term in context, because the same phrase can have a narrow technical meaning in a policy wording and a broader commercial meaning in everyday discussions. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.Weather ClaimWeather claim is a claim arising from weather-related events such as storm, flood, hail, lightning, heavy rain, snow, wind, or extreme temperature. The term becomes important after an incident, when the insured, broker, insurer, adjuster, and sometimes lawyers need to agree what happened, what is covered, what evidence is needed, and how payment should be calculated. For example, after a warehouse fire, the insured may notify the broker, protect damaged property, gather invoices, meet the loss adjuster, and submit evidence of repair costs and business interruption loss. A practical way to read it is to ask: what proof is needed, which policy period applies, which limits or deductibles reduce payment, and who has authority to settle. Timely notification and accurate evidence are important because late reporting, incomplete documents, or uncertainty about cause can delay settlement. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.With-Profits AnnuityWith-profits annuity is an annuity where income can be influenced by the performance and bonuses of a with-profits fund. The term matters for employers, trustees, employees, and advisers because it influences retirement outcomes, contribution strategy, tax treatment, member communication, and long-term benefit security. For example, an employee comparing retirement options may need to understand how employer contributions, investment returns, annuity choices, and tax rules affect the income they eventually receive. A practical way to read it is to ask: does this affect how money is contributed, invested, taxed, converted into income, or paid to dependants? The main trade-off is certainty versus flexibility: stronger guarantees can make income more predictable, while investment-linked or escalating features can change the starting income and future increases. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.With-Profits PolicyWith-profits policy is a life or savings policy that shares in the profits of a life fund through bonuses, often using smoothing to reduce market volatility. The term helps readers understand how an insurance policy is built, what promise the insurer is making, what limits apply, and what the policyholder must do to keep cover effective. For example, a policy schedule may show a ₹10 crore sum insured, a deductible, covered locations, the insured period, and endorsements that change the standard wording. A practical way to read it is to ask: is the item covered, excluded, limited, conditional, or only covered after another policy or deductible has responded? The key is to read the term in context, because the same phrase can have a narrow technical meaning in a policy wording and a broader commercial meaning in everyday discussions. . In practice, two policies can use similar wording but produce different outcomes because limits, exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and local law change the final interpretation. When in doubt, the safest approach is to compare the term with the exact contract wording and ask the broker, adviser, insurer, or administrator to confirm how it applies to the specific situation.