double insurance

Definition

Situation in which the same risk is insured by two overlapping but independent insurance policies. It is lawful to obtain double insurance, and the insured can make claim to both insurers in the event of a loss because both are liable under their respective polices. The insured, however, cannot profit (recover more than the loss suffered) from this arrangement because the insurers are law bound only to share the actual loss in the same proportion they share the total premium. Also called dual insurance.