self-insure

verb

ˌself-in-ˈshu̇r How to pronounce self-insure (audio)
-in-ˈshər-
self-insured; self-insuring; self-insures

intransitive verb

: to insure oneself
especially : to practice self-insurance
self-insurer
ˌself-in-shu̇r-ər How to pronounce self-insure (audio)
-in-ˈshər-
noun

Examples of self-insure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many providers of gender-affirming care are protected from rising premiums such as health centers that receive federal funding, which are covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act, or academic medical centers and Planned Parenthood clinics, which are self-insured. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2024 The settlements and jury awards are paid out of the public treasury because the county is self-insured. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2023 But federally supported Medicare and Medicaid still don’t cover the drugs for obesity, and much of the commercial market is self-insured. David Wainer, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2023 With this combination, little losses are self-insured. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023 Faced with uncertainty beyond their control, people try to self-insure. Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 2 Aug. 2023 For residents, the national medical program (with no copays or exclusions) is available, along with the option of private care with out-of-pocket costs that can be self-insured or paid through a private insurance policy. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2023 Not all large companies self-insure, but most — about 80%, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute — do. Shira Fischer, STAT, 9 June 2023 Many large companies choose to self-insure, and industry officials have noted that some smaller companies are following suit. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-insure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-insure was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near self-insure

Cite this Entry

“Self-insure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-insure. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

self-insure

transitive verb
self-in·​sure
ˌself-in-ˈshu̇r
: to insure by self-insurance (as in workers' compensation)
an employer wishing to self-insure its liabilityPennsylvania Statutes

intransitive verb

: to use self-insurance
a governmental agency that self-insures
self-insurer noun
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