insurance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   promise of reimbursement in the case of loss

   paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company

2. 2
   noun

   A means of indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event.

   The car was totalled, but fortunately I had insurance.

3. 3
   noun

   The business of providing insurance.

   After five years in banking, I switched to insurance.

4. 4
   noun

   Any attempt to forestall an unfavorable event.

   The sky was clear, but I took my umbrella for insurance.

5. 5
   noun

   A bet made after the deal, which pays off if the dealer has blackjack.

   I only take insurance if the count is right.

6. 6
   noun

   An insurance policy.

   "The children need to get back to some level of normalcy and their families can certainly use some respite to deal with things such as insurances, licences and other things they have lost," he said.

7. 7
   noun

   A company providing insurance policies; an insurer.

   1927, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries 'They don't say so yet, but the suggestion is incendiarism. […] ' 'Why should they think anything wrong?' 'These insurances go a lot by the fire brigade report. I suppose the officer in charge has suggested something.'

8. 8
   noun

   written contract or certificate of insurance

Etymology

From the older form ensurance, see also assurance. By surface analysis, insure + -ance.