insurance
gb/ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/ us/ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
B1
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
financial protection agreement
An agreement where you pay money to a company so they will pay you if you have a loss or problem.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has [type of] insurance
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'insurance' with 'assurance' or 'guarantee'. In most modern English, 'insurance' refers to financial protection against risk, while 'guarantee' refers to a promise of quality or performance.
Synonyms
coverage (Informal term often used in the US to mean the protection provided by an insurance policy.)
|
assurance (Used mainly in British English for life insurance; more formal.)
Antonyms
uninsured (Describes a person or property without any insurance protection.)
Collocations
health insurance
|life insurance
|car insurance
|insurance policy
|insurance company
Themes
business
|law
|daily life
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- You must have car insurance to drive legally in most countries.
- Her health insurance covers most of her medical bills.
- The company offers life insurance to all employees.
- He filed a claim with his insurance after the accident.
- Travel insurance can save you money if your trip is canceled.
Learner examples
- I have health insurance from my job.
- We bought car insurance last week.
- She needs travel insurance for her trip.
- My insurance pays for the doctor visit.
Noun
B2
entity
2
preventive safeguard action
Something you do to stop problems before they happen.
Usage pattern:
[something] as insurance against [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use always involves money or contracts, but it can mean any protective action.
Synonyms
precaution (A broader term for any action taken to prevent harm; not limited to financial contexts.)
Antonyms
risk (The possibility of harm or loss without protective measures.)
Collocations
take out insurance
|extra insurance
|as insurance against
Themes
daily life
|safety
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Keeping copies of important files is good insurance against data loss.
- As insurance against bad weather, we booked an indoor venue.
- He always carries extra cash as insurance in case his card doesn't work.
Learner examples
- I take an umbrella as insurance against rain.
- We keep extra food as insurance for storms.
- He carries a map as insurance if his phone dies.
Grammar
Dictionary form
insurance
IPA
GB/ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
US/ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
Syllables & stress
in - sur - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: insurance
- Plural: insurance, insurances
Word family
Expressions
as insurance against
1/ˈæz ɪnʃˈʊɹəns əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
protective measure against risk
Something you do so that a bad thing will not happen.
Examples
- He saved extra money as insurance against losing his job.
- They kept spare parts as insurance against equipment failure.
insurance policy
1/ɪnʃˈʊɹəns pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
written contract for coverage
A paper or document that says what your insurance covers and how it works.
Examples
- Read your insurance policy carefully before you sign it.
- The insurance policy covers both theft and fire damage.
take out insurance
1/tˈeɪk ˈaʊt ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
fixed phrase
arrange and start an insurance policy
To start having insurance by paying for it.
Examples
- We decided to take out insurance before going on holiday.
- She took out health insurance when she started her new job.