insurance

Etymology

From the older form ensurance, see also assurance.

noun

1. A means of indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event.
   In an era when political leaders promise deliverance from decline through America’s purported preeminence in scientific research, the news that science is in deep trouble in the United States has been as unwelcome as a diagnosis of leukemia following the loss of health insurance. 2012-01, Philip E. Mirowski, “Harms to Health from the Pursuit of Profits”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 2012-04-04, page 87
   The car was totalled, but fortunately I had insurance.
2. The business of providing insurance.
   After five years in banking, I switched to insurance.
3. (figurative) Any attempt to forestall an unfavorable event.
   The sky was clear, but I took my umbrella for insurance.
4. (blackjack) A bet made after the deal, which pays off if the dealer has blackjack.
   I only take insurance if the count is right.
5. (countable) 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. February 18, 2009, Cheryl Critchley, “Free child care for Victorian bushfire victims”, in Herald Sun, archived from the original on 2009-02-18