Assurés

Assurés is the plural form of assuré, a term used in insurance to designate the person or entity whose risk is covered by the contract. The insured is the subject of the insurance agreement and the party for whom and on whose life or property the insurer promises to provide compensation or benefits in the event of a covered loss or claim.

In a typical insurance contract, the insured may be the same person as the policyholder who pays the premium, but this is not always the case. The policyholder is the person who takes out the contract and settles the premium, while the beneficiary may be designated to receive benefits in life or health insurance. In life insurance, for example, the insured is the person whose life is insured, even if another person funds the policy or designates the beneficiary. In property or auto insurance, the insured is usually the owner or the person regularly exposed to the insured risk.

Rights and obligations of the assuré include receiving indemnities or benefits when a covered event occurs, and being protected by the terms of the contract. Obligations commonly include providing accurate information, declaring known risks, notifying the insurer of changes in circumstances, and paying premiums. The insurer’s duties include assessing risk, issuing the policy, handling claims, and paying agreed benefits in a timely manner. The insured may also have rights to privacy and to challenge a denial or calculation in accordance with applicable laws and the terms of the contract.