insurance

noun

1. (uncountable, usually)A means of indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event.

   “The car was totalled, but fortunately I had insurance.”

   “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.”

2. (uncountable, usually)The business of providing insurance.

   “After five years in banking, I switched to insurance.”

3. (figuratively, uncountable, usually)Any attempt to forestall an unfavorable event.

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

4. (uncountable, usually)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, usually)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.”

6. (countable, usually)A company providing insurance policies; an insurer.

   “'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.'”