Risk Management – Glossary of Terms

Corners The number of points based on the structure footprint where two converging walls or sides meet, creating an angle. Corners that are two feet or less are not counted.   Cross-Sell Identification Visual confirmation of other insurable items located on the premise.   Deck Area A deck is an outdoor space that is a finished area either attached or detached from the home. A deck is raised off of the ground and traditionally made of wood or composite materials.   Distance to Commercial Exposure The distance in feet from the closest point of the primary residential home to a non-residential enterprise with the intent of gain or economic profit. Zero means none are present.   Distance to Steep Slope The distance in feet from the closest point of the primary residential home to a steep slope (subjective topographic reference to the amount of inclination to a horizontal plane). Zero means none are present.   Distance to Vegetation The distance in feet from the closest point of the primary residential home to plant life. Zero means none are present.   Distance to Water Hazard The distance in feet from the closest point of the primary residential home to a body of water. Zero means none are present.   EagleView Roof Report The industry standard in roof measurements of length, area, and pitch based upon aerial images of the roof.   EagleView Wall Report An add-on to the EagleView roof measurement report that extends the roof measurements to the exterior walls of the structure to include cutouts.   Estimated Roof Pitch Absent an EagleView Roof Report, this is the approximate range of the pitch or slope of the roof based upon the rise a roof has compared to the horizontal run measurement of the roof.   Estimated Total Living Area This is the total size of the home floor space (in square feet) based upon the exterior dimensions. The total estimated living area is inclusive of the main floor space, wings, additions and other stories as identified. Generally, this excludes the garage.   Garage Area The estimated floor space of the garage (in square feet) as determined by the exterior dimensions. A garage is a section of a house or an independent building designed to protect one or more vehicles, but can also be used for storage and/or as a workshop. Garage types may include:
  • Attached: Typically connected to the home by a common wall and door, eliminating the need to walk outside to get to the main house
  • Detached: A standalone building typically placed away from the home on the side or in the back requiring a need to walk outside to get to the main house
  • Built-In: A garage that is attached to the home and has living area above it
  • Basement: Partially or predominantly below grade with its entrance level with the basement floor
  Number of Chimneys The vertical channel that generally extends above the roof and conducts smoke/gases out of the structure.   Number of Family Structure The dwelling unit configuration, which may be any of the following:
  • Single Family: A home designed for one family unit on a single lot of land
  • Multi-Family: Any residence designed to accommodate more than one family unit
  • Duplex: Two single family residences generally with separate entrances/exits and adjoined by a common wall and sharing a single lot of land
  • Triplex: Three single family residences generally with separate entrances/exits and adjoined by common walls and sharing a single lot of land
  • Fourplex: Four single family residences generally with separate entrances/exits and adjoined by common walls and sharing a single lot of land
  Number of Stories Number of livable floors in the home.   Outbuilding Count The number of detached structure(s) located on the premises. An outbuilding is generally used for storage and not the primary garage.   Outbuilding Total Area The estimated total floor space of the outbuilding(s) in square feet as determined by the exterior dimensions.   Patio Area A patio is an outdoor space that is a finished area either attached or detached from the home. A patio is usually ground level and made of different materials such as brick pavers, concrete, etc.   Porch Area This is a low structure often with a roof sited at the entrance or rear of the home. A porch is an outdoor living space that typically does not have windows; however, in some cases it may be enclosed or screened in.   Roof Shape The design of the covering on the uppermost part of a building, which is designed to protect the building and its contents from weather elements. Common roof shapes may include:
  • Hip: Four sides of the roof slope downward to meet the sides of the house coming to a peak or ridge at the top
  • Gable: The roof has two straight slopes from the peak of the house to the eaves, creating a ridge that runs from the front to the back of a home, giving the facades a triangular appearance.
  • Hip/Gable: A combination of a gable and hip style. The roof has two straight slopes from the peak of the house to the eaves, creating a ridge that runs from the front to the back of a home. This gives the facades a triangular appearance and four sides of the roof slope downward to meet the sides of the house coming to a peak or ridge at the top.
  • Gambrel: A type of gable roof often seen on barns. Usually symmetrical, gambrel roofs have two sides that meet at a peak in the center, similar to a gable roof. Gambrel roofs, however, are broken up into two sections on each side.
  • Shed: Typically a single roof face that slopes down the entirety of the structure or structure addition. Also known as a lean-to.
  • Flat: Any roof with a slope of 10 degrees or less is typically considered flat.
  • Mansard: Similar to a hip roof with the top cut off. The roof has four steep sloping sides, just as on a hip roof, but rather than coming to a peak at the center, the top of the roof is sloped at a very slight angle--nearly flat.
  • Complex: A complex roof that consists of multiple roof style and slope/pitches. It can have ornate styling or special engineering that can add significantly to the cost of reconstruction.
  Slope on Property The presence of "steepness" on the property surface due to a grade or slope under the structure and is determined between multiple points.   Structure Footprint This is the entire ground area covered by the structure and includes attached garage, attached porches, etc.   Swimming Pool/Hot Tub A swimming pool or hot tub can come in various shapes and sizes. A pool can be constructed either above or in ground with materials consisting of concrete (also known as gunite), metal, plastic, or fiberglass to contain a body of water for recreational purposes. Most pools utilize a combination of chemicals and filtration to continuously clean and recirculate the water.   Trampoline Generally a standalone device used for recreational or competitive acrobatic and/or gymnastic purposes. A trampoline consists of a strong fabric sheet connected to a metal frame using numerous coiled springs. While normally circular in nature, trampolines can come in various shapes and sizes. A trampoline may also be seen with or without a protective net barrier around the perimeter.   Type of Vegetation General reference to plant life of a region, not necessarily specific reference to particular species.