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Insurance term

Indemnity

Restoring the pre-loss position

Definition

The principle that an insurance payout returns the insured to the financial position held immediately before the loss — no better and no worse.

In more detail

Indemnity settlements deduct for wear and depreciation. A 'new for old' or replacement-cost basis is a departure from strict indemnity and is priced accordingly.

Glossary entries are general explanations, not advice. Where a term appears in a contract or policy, the definition in that document governs.