What is adhesion in insurance?

Asked by: Electa Harvey  |  Last update: October 26, 2025
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Adhesion - A life insurance policy is a contract of adhesion because buyers must adhere to the terms of the contract already in existence. They have no opportunity to negotiate terms, rates, values, etc.

What does adhesion mean for insurance?

Definition of a Contract of Adhesion

A contract of adhesion is a legally binding agreement between an insurance company and an insured individual or entity. The terms and conditions of the contract are typically drafted by the insurance company and presented to the insured on a “take it or leave it” basis.

What is an example of adhesion contract?

Examples of Adhesion Agreements

Not surprisingly, most contracts involving consumers are adhesion contracts. c, mortgages and personal loans, credit card agreements, utilities, airline tickets, motor vehicle purchases, and leases are all examples of transactions that are typically accompanied by an adhesion contract.

What is the difference between aleatory and adhesion insurance?

Adhesion contract, in which a party makes a contract and another party must take it or leave it as is. Aleatory contract, in which an individual may receive more than given up in a contract, contingent upon an act occurring first before a payout is provided.

What is adhesion in simple terms?

Adhesion is the ability of one thing to stick firmly to another.

Aleatory, Adhesion and Unilateral Explained for the Insurance Exam

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What are examples of adhesion?

Two examples of adhesion are: water droplets sticking to a window after a rainfall, and dew drops hanging from the leaves of a plant.

What is adhesion in medical terms?

An adhesion is a band of scar tissue that joins two internal body surfaces that are not usually connected. Organs or tissues within the body stick (adhere) to other internal surfaces. Adhesions develop as the body attempts to repair itself.

What is the law of adhesion in insurance?

Adhesion - A life insurance policy is a contract of adhesion because buyers must adhere to the terms of the contract already in existence. They have no opportunity to negotiate terms, rates, values, etc.

What are the 7 principles of insurance?

Principles of Insurance
  • Utmost Good Faith.
  • Proximate Cause.
  • Insurable Interest.
  • Indemnity.
  • Subrogation.
  • Contribution.
  • Loss Minimization.

What is an example of aleatory in insurance?

A common real-world example of an aleatory contract is a life insurance policy. In this type of contract, the insured individual pays regular premiums to an insurance company. The outcome of the contract depends on an uncertain event—the death of the insured.

What are the three types of adhesion?

The forces that cause adhesion and cohesion can be divided into several types. The intermolecular forces responsible for the function of various kinds of stickers and sticky tape fall into the categories of chemical adhesion, dispersive adhesion, and diffusive adhesion.

What is the effect of an insurance policy being adhesive?

What is the effect of an insurance policy being adhesive? The insured gets the benefit of the doubt if a policy contains ambiguities or uncertainties. The insurer can require the insured to pay any premiums. The insured cannot assign the policy without the insurer's consent.

Are adhesion contracts illegal?

Adhesion contracts are enforceable—when they are done correctly. Due to the unequal bargaining power associated with a form contract, the agreement must meet certain criteria to remain enforceable. Courts will scrutinize adhesion contracts closely to determine if they are unconscionable or unfair.

What is an example of an adhesion contract?

You talk to the apartment owner, but the owner tells you that the agreement cannot be changed, and you can take the apartment or leave it. You decide to sign the agreement because you want the apartment badly, and you agree not to have any pets. This is another example of an adhesion contract.

Who can modify a policy adhesion?

A policy of adhesion, a term used in insurance, can only be modified by the insurance company. This is because such policies are prepared by the insurer and as such, they are the sole party with the authority to alter the terms of the policy. The applicant, agent, or primary beneficiary does not have this authority.

At what point does a whole life policy pay the face amount?

Most whole life policies endow at age 100. When a policyholder outlives the policy, the insurance company may pay the full cash value to the policyholder (which in this case equals the coverage amount) and close the policy. Others grant an extension to the policyholder who continues paying premiums until they pass.

What does subrogation mean?

When you file a claim, your insurer can try to recover costs from the person responsible for your injury or property damage. This is known as subrogation. For example: Your insurance company pays your doctor for your treatment following an auto accident that someone else caused.

What is indemnity in insurance?

Indemnity is a comprehensive form of insurance compensation for damages or loss. In a legal sense, it may also refer to an exemption from liability for damages. The insurer promises to make the insured party whole again for any covered loss in exchange for premiums the policyholder pays.

What is an endorsement in insurance?

An insurance endorsement/rider is an amendment to an existing insurance contract that changes the terms of the original policy. An endorsement/rider can be issued at the time of purchase, mid-term or at renewal time. Insurance premiums may be affected and adjusted as a result.

What occurs in a typical adhesion contract?

Adhesion contracts occur when the person signing the contract has little to no say about the agreement's terms. These are important and legally enforceable contracts when handled correctly. While courts frown upon certain kinds of adhesion contracts, others are common and enforceable in the business world.

What is the adherence agreement?

Adherence Agreement means the agreement to be entered into between each Donor and the Fund Manager, pursuant to which the parties to any such Adherence Agreement agree that the General Conditions will govern the management of the RHP Fund; Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3.

Are contracts of adhesion voidable?

Nonetheless, courts have a long history of striking terms from these contracts or voiding the contract entirely when they determine the terms to be especially egregious to standards of fair play. Courts may look at the doctrine of reasonable expectations to determine whether to strike down an adhesion contract.

What is an example adhesion?

Water sticking to the glass is an example of adhesion, but the water that sticks to the surface of the glass pulls more water up behind it because of cohesion. This makes the water level appear concave within a test tube.

What does adhesion mean?

: steady or firm attachment : adherence. 2. : the action or state of adhering. 3. : the abnormal union of separate tissue surfaces by new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process.

Why is adhesion important?

Why are cohesive and adhesive forces important for life? They play a role in many water-based processes in biology, including the movement of water to the tops of trees and the drainage of tears from tear ducts in the corners of your eyes ‍ .