Tennessee Insurance Practice Exam

All of the following are considered typical characteristics of an insurance contract, EXCEPT?

1. Bilateral

2. Conditional

3. Unilateral

4. Adhesion

The correct answer is: Bilateral

In insurance, contracts typically exhibit certain characteristics, including being conditional, unilateral, and adhering to principles of adhesion. A bilateral contract involves mutual promises between the parties where each party is both an offeror and an offeree, creating obligations on both sides. In the context of insurance, the contract is not bilateral because the insurer makes a promise to pay claims when covered events occur, while the insured pays premiums and must adhere to the terms of the policy. Only the insurer has a binding obligation once the contract is executed, as the insured's benefits depend on certain conditions being met. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for recognizing how insurance contracts function and the roles of the parties involved. The conditional nature of insurance contracts means that the insurer's obligations are contingent upon certain events occurring, keeping them unilateral in terms of obligations. Adhesion refers to contracts drafted by one party (the insurer) where the other party (the insured) has little ability to negotiate terms, a common feature in consumer insurance contracts. Therefore, in the context of typical characteristics of insurance contracts, the concept of bilateral nature does not apply.