$\text{Payment} = g(X; d, u, \alpha)$
$\text{where } X = \text{ground-up loss},\; d = \text{deductible},\; u = \text{benefit limit},\; \alpha = \text{coinsurance}$
Policy Information refers to the contractual terms of an insurance policy — including deductibles, benefit limits, and coinsurance percentages — that jointly determine how much of a ground-up loss $X$ the insurer actually pays.
Together these provisions transform the loss random variable $X$ into a payment random variable $Y$. The policy features allocate financial responsibility between the insured and insurer, affecting both expected payments and risk exposure.
> [!example]- Identifying Policy Provisions from a Contract {💡 Example}
> A health policy states: the insured pays the first \$500 of any claim, the insurer covers 80% of amounts above \$500, and the insurer's maximum payment is \$10{,}000. Identify each policy provision.
>
> > [!answer]- Answer
> > - **Deductible**: $d = \$500$ (insured absorbs the first \$500).
> > - **Coinsurance percentage**: $\alpha = 80\%$ (insurer pays 80% of the excess above the deductible).
> > - **Benefit limit**: $u = \$10{,}000$ (maximum the insurer will pay in total).
> > These three provisions together define the payment function for any ground-up loss $X$.