reinsurance

noun

re·​in·​sur·​ance ˌrē-ən-ˈshu̇r-ən(t)s 

ˌrē-ən-ˈshər-,

 also  (ˌ)rē-ˈin-ˌshu̇r-,

(ˌ)rē-ˈin-ˌshə̇r-

: insurance by another insurer of all or a part of a risk previously assumed by an insurance company

Examples of reinsurance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The feedback loop broke down: households had little reason to invest in mitigation, carriers could not recalibrate exposure, and reinsurance costs rose as global capacity reassessed the peril. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Colorado also will have less money available to limit rate increases through its reinsurance program next year, Fox said. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 22 July 2025

Cathal Carr, founder of the reinsurance company OAK Re, says that companies like his would generally look at the previous 50–100 years’ worth of data to model risks. —Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Hail is a leading cause of storm damage in the U.S. and was responsible for tens of billions in property losses last year, according to Gallagher Re, a global reinsurance firm that tracks such data. —Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reinsurance

• reassurance
• assurance
• insurance
• durance

Legal Definition

reinsurance

noun

re·​in·​sur·​ance ˌrē-ən-ˈshu̇r-əns, -ˈin-ˌshu̇r- 

: insurance or indemnification by a second insurer of all or part of a risk assumed by another insurer as contracted for by the first insurer see also cede compare direct insurance, retrocession sense 3