Insurance
Insurance: A contract, called a policy, in which an insurer agrees to pay for specified losses or to provide specified benefits in exchange for premiums. Insurance is regulated mainly by the states; under the McCarran-Ferguson Act, the business of insurance is subject to state regulation and taxation, and federal law generally does not override state insurance law unless it specifically relates to insurance (15 U.S.C. § 1012).
What insurance means
Put simply, insurance is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where insurance comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
Start with the primary source. For example, if insurance appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read insurance in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Injunction: a court order requiring a party to do or stop doing something.
- Injured party: the person who suffered harm, loss or the violation of a right and who may seek a remedy. In contract law, the injured party is the one entitled to remedies for the other party's breach. In a lawsuit, the injured party is usually the plaintiff or claimant.
- Injury: harm to a person, property, reputation or legal right.
- Instrument: a formal written legal document, such as a deed, will, contract or promissory note. In UCC Article 3, "instrument" means a negotiable instrument (UCC § 3-104(b)), and UCC Article 9 has its own broader definition (UCC § 9-102(a)(47)).
Why precise terms matter
Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.