Published by Trustmark Voluntary Benefits on October 7th, 2025



We understand that insurance jargon can sometimes feel like deciphering a foreign language. But, just as your high school language teacher guided you through the complexities of a new language, we are here to break down any tricky terms or confusing lingo, so you understand everything that your policy offers.

1. Beneficiary

In the context of insurance, a beneficiary is the individual or organization legally designated to receive the life insurance payout from another individual’s insurance policy. When you enroll in a life insurance policy, you will have the option to designate a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) to receive any benefits accrued from your policy. 

2. Pre-Existing Conditions 

These are health issues that existed before your insurance coverage began. Depending on the plan offered to you, these may or may not be covered or they may impact your coverage options. 

3. Rate

An insurance rate is the amount charged by an insurance company to provide coverage for a plan on an annual basis. In terms of a consumer's rate, you may sometimes also see this expressed as a premium. Rates are determined based on various factors such including your age and smoking status. 

4. Claim

A claim is an official request submitted to your insurance company requesting coverage or compensation for a loss or damage that occurred from an event that your insurance policy covers. To access your insurance benefits, you must file a claim with your insurance company.

Our goal is to help you feel confident when navigating your Trustmark insurance. Be sure to check out Volumes I and II of this series for more examples: We hope you find these guides useful for getting the most out of your coverage!