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Glite Dictionary
underinsurance

underinsurance

1 7.5
A situation where insurance does not pay all your costs
  • noun
  • /ˌʌndərɪnˈʃʊərəns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bajo aseguramiento
  • In the United States, with a fragmented health care system facing national reform, lack of insurance and underinsurance remain huge obstacles to accessing health care.

Examples

  • The rise in underinsurance has left many individuals unable to afford necessary medical treatments.

  • One of the systemic factors involved in producing disparities, lack of insurance and underinsurance, continues to dramatically increase in the United States.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The author's sister, "Katie," died in a Maryland car accident; the other driver's insurance paid its limits, and Katie's family went to Katie's insurer, Progressive, to seek coverage for the underinsurance of the other driver.

    Blog text (5)

  • In many cases, underinsurance means that people will have to pay out of pocket for significant health expenses.

  • Due to underinsurance, the family struggled to pay for their child's surgery despite having health insurance.

How Insured

underinsurance
  • Specialized
1 7.5
underinsured
7 5.8

Surface Forms

underinsurance singular
underinsurances plural

Morphology

underinsurance = insurance (transparent) = under + insure + ance

The relation 'under' + 'insurance' clearly indicates insufficient insurance coverage and is directly interpretable by learners.

Etymology

The word underinsurance starts with under- meaning 'not enough' and ends with insurance, from insure meaning 'to make safe' or 'protect'. So, underinsurance is when your protection is not enough to pay for the costs or losses you might face.