Glossary of Insurance Terms

W

Waiting period

A set period of time that an employer may make a new employee wait before enrolling in the company's health care plan. The health insurance policy cannot impose a waiting period, but the employer may.

Waiver of premium

A provision that sets certain conditions under which an insurance policy will be kept in full force by the insurance company without the payment of premiums. It is used most frequently for those policyholders who become totally and permanently disabled but may be available in certain other cases.

Whole life insurance

Life insurance that remains in force during the insured’s entire lifetime, provided premiums are paid as specified in the policy. Whole life insurance also builds a savings called the cash value.

Worker's compensation insurance

A policy conforming to state law which pays benefits to an employee (or an employee's family) if the employee suffers a job-related injury (including death) or occupational injury.

Write Your Own (WYO) Program

A cooperative undertaking of the insurance industry and the Mitigation Division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) begun in October 1983. The WYO Program allows participating property and casualty insurance companies to write and service the Standard Flood Insurance Policy in their own names. The insurance companies receive an expense allowance for policies written and claims processed while the Federal Government retains responsibility for underwriting losses. The WYO Program operates within the context of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and is subject to its rules and regulations.