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

Meanwhile, not only are homeowners increasingly being dropped by private insurers, but Louisiana Citizens needed a nearly 90% premium increase in 2023 as its cost for reinsurance surged. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025

Insurers are leaving California; 85% of California’s reinsurance market has vanished, the January report from FCMAT found. —Kristen Taketa, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025

Insurers are leaving California; 85% of California’s reinsurance market has vanished, the January report from FCMAT found. —Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

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

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