insurance / assurance
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insurance
A contract with a company in which you regularly pay money in order to be financially protected in case of damage or loss, for example in the event of an accident, illness, or theft.
Für mein neues Auto habe ich eine Vollkaskoversicherung abgeschlossen.
I took out fully comprehensive insurance for my new car.
The noun 'die Versicherung' (the insurance/assurance) is derived from the verb 'versichern' (to insure/assure). 'Jemanden versichern' means to give someone insurance, while 'jemandem etwas versichern' means to assure someone of something firmly. This double meaning of the verb explains the different meanings of the noun.
Er versicherte mir, dass alles in Ordnung sei.
He assured me that everything was all right.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about contracts and money, it means protection against damage or loss (m01). If it refers to a company where someone works or that someone calls, it means the company (m02). In connection with a promise, often with 'dass...' (that...), it means an assurance (m03).
Ich muss meine Versicherung anrufen, um den Schaden zu melden.
I have to call my insurance company to report the damage.
In connection with an insurance contract, certain verbs are very typical. You can 'eine Versicherung abschließen' (take out insurance/start a contract), 'eine Versicherung kündigen' (cancel/end insurance), or 'eine Versicherung haben' (have insurance).
Jeder Autobesitzer muss eine Haftpflichtversicherung abschließen.
Every car owner must take out liability insurance.
The word 'Versicherung' is the base word for many specific types of insurance. Examples are 'Krankenversicherung' (health insurance), 'Autoversicherung' (car insurance), 'Reiseversicherung' (travel insurance), or 'Haftpflichtversicherung' (liability insurance).
In Deutschland ist eine Krankenversicherung für alle Bürger Pflicht.
In Germany, health insurance is mandatory for all citizens.
In the meaning 'Zusage' (promise/assurance), 'Versicherung' is often used with a subordinate clause introduced by 'dass' (that). This clause explains exactly what is being assured or promised.
Ich brauche Ihre Versicherung, dass die Daten vertraulich behandelt werden.
I need your assurance that the data will be treated confidentially.
checkout / cash register
'die Versicherung' and 'die Kasse' can both occur in the area of health and financial protection. 'Versicherung' is the general term for an insurance contract, or also for the company that pays in the event of damage or loss. This can be, for example, health insurance, car insurance, or household contents insurance. In this context, 'Kasse' usually means 'Krankenkasse' for short. So the word is narrower and often colloquial. Learners may confuse the words because people often talk about both when discussing medical costs. In practice: for health, people often say 'die Kasse'; for contracts and other risks, 'Versicherung' is more precise.
Nach dem Unfall hat die Versicherung den Schaden am Auto bezahlt.
After the accident, the insurance company paid for the damage to the car.
Die Kasse übernimmt die Kosten für diese Untersuchung.
The health insurer covers the costs of this examination.