Glossary

Dividend accumulation refers to dividends paid by life insurers that may be added to the cash value.

Dividend addition is an option regarding payment of dividends to insureds that is offered by some life insurers, particularly mutual companies.

Dividend options are varying ways in which insureds may elect to receive dividends under a life insurance policy.

A divisible contract clause provides that violation of the conditions of the policy at one location will not void the coverage at other locations.

A docket control system is used by attorneys to alert them to upcoming filing deadlines and statutes of limitations on specific legal actions, motions, and cases.

The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in 2010, made dramatic, sweeping changes to the nation's financial regulatory system.

A domestic insurer is an insurer that is both domiciled and licensed in the state in which insurance is written.

A domestic surplus lines insurer is a surplus lines insurer that is domiciled and licensed in the same state. A surplus lines insurer may be barred from selling surplus lines coverage in its state of domicile.

Domestic terrorism is the unlawful use of force by a group/individual operating within the United States without foreign direction committed against persons/property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

An insurer's domicile is the jurisdiction, typically a state or country, where it is formed or incorporated. The domicile determines the regulatory authority that is principally responsible for overseeing the insurer. For a captive insurer, the domicile is the location in which it is licensed to conduct insurance business. Several factors that must be considered when selecting the most appropriate and best domicile for a given captive insurer include capitalization and surplus requirements, investment restrictions, income and local tax obligations, formation and ongoing operating costs, acceptance by fronting insurers and reinsurers, availability of banking and other services, and geographic proximity.