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Meaning & use

insuring

verb·Academic

Last updated

UK/ɪnˈʃɔːrɪŋ/
US/ɪnˈʃʊrɪŋ/

“insuring” is a form of “insure”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    Arranging for a company to pay you money if something is lost, damaged, or causes harm.

    Grammar: Takes an object: insure your car. Often used with 'against'.

    Patterns

    • insure something
    • insure against something
    • insure something against something

    They are insuring their new house against fire and theft.

    The company is insuring the shipment for its full value.

    He is insuring his car with a local agency.

  2. verbtransitiveAmerican

    Making sure that something happens or is done; ensuring.

    Grammar: In American English, 'insure' is sometimes used to mean 'ensure', but 'ensure' is more common for this sense.

    Patterns

    • insure that something happens
    • insure something

    Please insure that all doors are locked before you leave.

    The manager is insuring that everyone gets a copy of the report.

Word forms

third person singularinsures
past tenseinsured
past participleinsured
-ing forminsuring

Common combinations

insure against loss
The policy insures against loss from natural disasters.
insure a property
They insure their property with a well-known company.
insure for a sum
The painting is insured for one million dollars.
insure that
The new rules insure that all workers are treated fairly.

Synonyms and how they differ

cover
Used in insurance contexts to mean provide protection; insure is the verb for arranging that protection.
ensure
Means make certain something happens; insure is mainly about financial protection, though in American English it can also mean ensure.
assure
Means to tell someone confidently that something is true or will happen; insure is about financial protection.

Word family

insurance noun
An arrangement where you pay a company and they pay you if something goes wrong.
insured adjective
Protected by insurance.
insurer noun
A company that provides insurance.

Commonly confused: insuring or ensuring? insuring or assuring?

insuring vs ensuring

Ensuring means making certain something happens; insuring means arranging insurance. They sound similar but have different meanings.

insuring vs assuring

Assuring means telling someone something to remove doubts; insuring is about financial protection.

Practice

They are ___ their house against flood damage.

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