Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To arrange for compensation in the event of damage, loss, or injury; to provide or obtain insurance for: To contract with a company to pay premiums in exchange for financial protection against specified risks.
   • To make certain; to ensure or guarantee: To take measures to make a particular outcome sure or secure.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To underwrite or issue insurance policies: To engage in the business of providing insurance (often used in a professional context).
   • To take out an insurance policy: To contract for insurance coverage for oneself or one's property.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Transitive - Financial Protection):
  • We must insure the house against fire and flood.
  • The company insures its employees with a comprehensive health plan.
• Verb (Transitive - To Make Certain):
  • Careful planning will insure the success of the project.
  • These measures are designed to insure your safety.
• Verb (Intransitive):
  • As a broker, his job is to insure against various risks. (professional context)
  • It is wise to insure against major financial losses.

Advanced Usage

• "To insure against": To protect oneself financially from a specific risk by taking out an insurance policy.
  • You should insure against theft when traveling with expensive jewelry.
• "To insure someone/something for [amount]": To provide insurance coverage up to a specified monetary value.
  • The painting is insured for one million dollars.

Variants and Related Words

• Insurance (n): The act, system, or business of providing financial protection against loss or harm.
  • He works in the insurance industry.
• Insurer (n): A person or company that underwrites an insurance risk; the party in an insurance contract that promises to pay compensation.
  • The insurer denied the claim.
• Insurable (adj): Capable of being insured against; eligible for insurance.
  • The condition of the property made it insurable only at a high premium.

Synonyms

• Ensure/Assure: To make sure or certain. (Note: In careful usage, "insure" is preferred for financial contexts, while "ensure" means to make certain, and "assure" means to remove doubt from a person's mind.)
• Underwrite: To accept financial responsibility for; to guarantee financial support.
• Protect: To keep safe from harm or loss.
• Guarantee: To provide a formal assurance or promise.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Insure against: (See "Advanced Usage" above). This is the primary and most common phrasal construction.
  • It is difficult to insure against all possible business interruptions.

Related Idioms

• Better (to be) safe than sorry: This proverb relates to the preventative principle behind insuring, encouraging precautionary measures.
  • I know insurance is expensive, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
• A safety net: While not containing the word "insure," this idiom describes a similar concept of protection against hardship, often provided by insurance.
  • Health insurance acts as a vital financial safety net.

Verb

1. take out insurance for
2. protect by insurance
   • The insurance won't cover this
3. make certain of
   • This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us
   • Preparation will guarantee success!
4. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
   • He verified that the valves were closed
   • See that the curtains are closed
   • control the quality of the product