1. to buy insurance to protect yourself, your family, your business etc against something bad happening, for example accidents, damage to property, or injury caused to others:
• Many companies insure executives' lives with the companies as beneficiaries.
insure (somebody/something) against something
• It is advisable to insure all oriental carpets against theft and damage.
insure something for £1,000/$2,000 etc
• Airlines insure their aircraft for their replacement value.
2. to provide insurance for something or someone:
insure (somebody/something) against something
• The company insured against earthquakes and accidents at sea.
* * *
insure UK US /ɪnˈʃʊər/ verb [I or T] INSURANCE
► to protect yourself against risk by buying insurance from a company that will provide an agreed amount of money if a particular event happens, for example if you are killed or injured or if your possessions are damaged or stolen: insure sb/sth/yourself against sth »
We hadn't insured the bicycles against theft.
insure sth for sth »The antique dealer said we should insure the desk for at least £2,000.
► to provide insurance for someone or something: insure sb/sth against sth »
We can insure you against most of the risks involved in owning and operating a boat.
Financial and business terms. 2012.