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Prepositions with nouns

of, for, in, to or by insurance?

Insurance commonly appears with for, against, and on. Some other prepositions are possible only in wider sentence structures.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with "insurance"

Insurance for describes the person, item, or purpose covered. Insurance on is common for property or life policies. By insurance can describe the method of payment or coverage in a sentence. Of, in, and to are less common directly after insurance.

They bought insurance for the trip.
She has insurance on her car.
The damage was covered by insurance.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
insurance for + person/item

Showing who or what is covered

Use for to name the person, object, or activity covered by insurance.

We need insurance for the new equipment
They arranged insurance for international travel
2
insurance on + property/life

Referring to a policy on something

On is common with specific possessions or life insurance.

He increased the insurance on his house
She pays monthly for insurance on her life
3
insurance against + risk

Describing protection from danger

Against is often used with risks, loss, or accidents.

The policy provides insurance against theft
Farmers need insurance against drought
4
by insurance

Describing coverage or payment method

By insurance usually modifies the whole sentence rather than forming a fixed phrase with the noun.

Most repairs were paid by insurance.
The losses were covered by insurance.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
insurance for
We purchased insurance for the shipment.
coverage for a person, object, or activity
insurance on
She has insurance on her jewellery.
a policy covering a possession or life
by insurance
The claim was settled by insurance.
describes the means of coverage or payment
insurance to
They looked for insurance to protect their business.
to introduces an infinitive clause; it is not a common fixed pair with insurance

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in instead of for

Insurance for is standard when naming what is covered.

✕ insurance in travel ✓ insurance for travel

Using of after insurance

Insurance of is uncommon in modern everyday English.

✕ insurance of the car ✓ insurance on the car

Forgetting against with risks

Against is preferred with dangers and losses.

✕ insurance for theft ✓ insurance against theft

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They bought insurance ___ their holiday.
2. She has insurance ___ her apartment.
3. The medical costs were paid ___ insurance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is "insurance on" or "insurance for" better?

Both are correct, but on is common for property or life, while for often refers to general coverage or purpose.

Can I say "insurance against accidents"?

Yes. Against is standard when referring to risks or dangers.

Is "insurance of" natural English?

It sounds formal or old-fashioned in many contexts. Modern English usually prefers insurance for or insurance on.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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