insured

American  

[in-shoord, -shurd] / ɪnˈʃʊərd, -ˈʃɜrd /

noun

1. the person, group, or organization whose life or property is covered by an insurance policy.

---

insured British  

/ -ˈʃɔːd, ɪnˈʃʊəd /

adjective

1. covered by insurance

   an insured risk

---

noun

1. the person, persons, or organization covered by an insurance policy

Other Word Forms

• uninsured adjective
• well-insured adjective

Etymology

Origin of insured

First recorded in 1675–85; insure + -ed ²

Compare meaning

How does insured compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bonded vs. insured

Explanation

Something that's insured is protected by an insurance policy — in other words, its loss or damage will be compensated by an insurance company. If your laptop is insured, you'll get enough money to replace it if it's stolen. If an insured house burns down or is damaged in a storm, an insurance company will pay to repair or replace it. In exchange, the homeowner pays monthly (or sometimes annual) fees. If you have a life insurance policy or insurance that covers your health care, you are also insured. Insured, by way of the verb insure, comes from the original ensure, which has the roots en-, "make," and sure, "safe, strong, or resolute."

Example Sentences

If a system fails to verify a delivery, the food cannot be released, insured, sold, or legally distributed.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

It noted the fires were the third-worst natural disaster in American history in terms of insured losses, at $40 billion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

If the insured person dies during the term, beneficiaries will receive a payout, but if the term expires and the policyholder is still alive, the coverage expires with no payout.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

For example, the Fairmont the Palm hotel in Dubai that was set ablaze early in the war was insured against terrorism and sabotage, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

I hoped Cloudcroft was insured against giant wild boar attacks.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• guaranteed
• protected