self-insurance

American

[self-in-shoor-uhns, self-] / ˈsɛlf ɪnˈʃʊər əns, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

insurance of one's property or interests against possible loss by the establishing of a special fund for the purpose instead of seeking coverage with an underwriter.

self-insurance British

noun

the practice of insuring oneself or one's property by accumulating a reserve out of one's income or funds rather than by purchase of an insurance policy

"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 self-insurance

First recorded in 1895–1900

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.

If you do have substantial savings, enough to start again, rent/buy a little place elsewhere as a bit of self-insurance.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 28, 2026

The Caribbean island nation of Barbados — home of swimming’s captive self-insurance subsidiary, the United States Sports Insurance Company — was key.

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2024

For damages beyond these limits, all sequestration sites in the jurisdiction would pitch in via a form of pooled industry self-insurance, again up to a specified limit.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2024

If approved, Bellevue will pay using the city’s general self-insurance fund.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2023

"No; that is, I have recently adopted a scheme of mutual self-insurance, and the loss falls pro rata on my other vessels."

From The Wings of the Morning by Tracy, Louis

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