n.
1) to provide ~ for
2) to sell, write; underwrite ~
3) to carry; take out ~ (our firm carries fire ~)
4) to cancel; renew ~
5) accident; automobile ( AE ), motor ( BE ), motor-car ( BE ); collision; comprehensive; compulsory; disability; endowment; fire; flight; flood; group; health; homeowner's; hospitalization; hurricane; liability ( AE ), third party ( BE ); life; major-medical ( AE ); marine; no-fault; property; term ( esp. AE ); title; whole life ~
6) ( GB ) National Insurance
7) social; unemployment ~
8) ~ against; on (~ against loss from flood; ~ on one's personal effects)
9) ( misc. ) an ~ policy
USAGE NOTE: BE has traditionally distinguished between ~ (to provide compensation for what may happen) and assurance (to provide compensation for what will happen); thus-- fire ~ and life assurance . However, nowadays, life ~ is also used in BE .