Glossary

Direct procurement refers to the purchase of insurance by an insured directly from an insurer, rather than accessing coverage through a broker.

A direct response marketing system, unlike other marketing systems, does not involve the sale of insurance through local agents. Instead, the insurer's employees work directly with applicants via telephone, email, and the Internet.

A direct selling system markets and sells insurance polices by the insurer's employees rather than independent agents.

Direct threat, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, is a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation.

A direct writer is an insurance company that employs its own sales force rather than using independent agents or brokers.

A direct writing captive is a captive that issues policies of insurance to its insureds.

A direct writing carrier is an insurance company that sells insurance directly to its policyholders rather than using independent agents or brokers.

The direct written premium is the total amount of an insurer's written premiums without any allowance for premiums ceded to reinsurers.

A dirty bomb utilizes conventional explosive materials, such as TNT or dynamite, to disperse radioactive material over a wide area, thereby contaminating the area.

A disability is a condition that incapacitates a person in some way so that he or she cannot carry on normal pursuits.