uberrimae

uberrimae is the feminine genitive singular form of the Latin adjective uberrus/uberrimus, meaning "the utmost" or "extreme" in quality. In legal usage, the term most commonly appears in the phrase uberrimae fidei, translated as "of the utmost good faith," a doctrine central to insurance contracts.

The phrase uberrimae fidei originated in Latin and has been adopted into English legal and insurance terminology. It signals a high standard of honesty required in insurance dealings, emphasizing that the insured must disclose all material facts known to them that could affect the insurer's risk assessment or decision to underwrite the policy.

Under the doctrine of utmost good faith, misrepresentation, concealment, or nondisclosure of material information by the insured can affect the validity of the contract, potentially voiding the policy from inception. The insurer’s duty to disclose information is typically less emphasized, as the traditional emphasis is on the insured’s disclosure obligations; however, some jurisdictions also impose duties on insurers to act in good faith.

In modern practice, the precise obligations linked to uberrimae fidei vary by jurisdiction. Common law systems often rely on statutory provisions and case law to define what constitutes a material fact and the consequences of nondisclosure, while civil law systems may codify similar duties under consumer protection or contract law. Despite variations, the term remains a scholarly and legal reference to the principle of utmost honesty in insurance transactions.