policyholder

American

[pol-uh-see-hohl-der] / ˈpɒl ə siˌhoʊl dər /

noun

the individual or firm in whose name an insurance policy is written; an insured.

policyholder British

/ ˈpɒlɪsɪˌhəʊldə /

noun

a person or organization in whose name an insurance policy is registered

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of policyholder

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; policy ² + holder

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During a decade of ultralow bond rates, private-equity-controlled insurers surged ahead of traditional firms by investing policyholder premiums in higher risk private credit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

She demanded the company apologize to its policyholder.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

In such circumstances, insurers usually give customers and/or their heirs a grace period after the policyholder dies if they have failed to make their payments.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 12, 2025

Even after the death of the policyholder, the carrier may have to pay the death benefits, if it has not honored its obligations.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 12, 2025

In Philadelphia Holmes had swindled the Fidelity Mutual Life Association of nearly $10,000 by apparently faking the death of a policyholder, Ben Pitezel.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023