Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
to take out a policy
English answer:
(UK and US English) informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage
Added to glossary by
French2English
Nov 24, 2011 11:51
12 yrs ago
64 viewers *
English term
United Kingdom
BA(Hons), Dip Trans IOL, MCIL London
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, English
to take out a policy
English
Bus/Financial
Insurance
This is a UK/US English question, aimed at native speakers of US English:
In UK English, when we sign an insurance agreement for insurance cover, the most common expression used is to 'take out a policy'. Although I am familiar with many US expressions and equivalents, I am really not sure about this term and can't imagine a native US English speaker saying: "have you taken out an insurance policy to cover this risk?" - although I could be wrong. What would an American usually say in this context?
I am checking on this for the purposes of a French to English translation of the term 'souscrire', which as you may know means, literally, 'to subscribe' (sign up for, enter into an agreement in connection with, etc.).
In UK English, when we sign an insurance agreement for insurance cover, the most common expression used is to 'take out a policy'. Although I am familiar with many US expressions and equivalents, I am really not sure about this term and can't imagine a native US English speaker saying: "have you taken out an insurance policy to cover this risk?" - although I could be wrong. What would an American usually say in this context?
I am checking on this for the purposes of a French to English translation of the term 'souscrire', which as you may know means, literally, 'to subscribe' (sign up for, enter into an agreement in connection with, etc.).
Responses
| 4 +1 | informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage |
Jenni Lukac (X)
|
| 5 +7 | take out an insurance policy |
Abouzar Oraki
|
Responses
+1
5 mins
Selected
informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage
Americans always think in terms of "buying" insurance. To "take out an insurance policy is the same as "enter into a contract for."
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Note added at 36 mins (2011-11-24 12:27:27 GMT)
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This afternoon I'll try to find some examples of legal documents. My only doubt concerns whether in US English some reference needs to made that it is in force. I'm thinking that someone could always sign a contract, fail to pay the amount due, and therefore not be insured. - As the world is full of people who do such things, I'm wondering if the US version is a bit different. Perhaps their is someone out there who has done extensive work in US insurance who could verify if this will hold up. In terms of the expression, yes it is used widely in the US.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-11-24 14:30:27 GMT)
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I've tried to find a sworn statement/declaration about insurance coverage in Internet without success; however, in general guidelines provided in documents such as tender announcements, "take out a policy" or "prove that one has taken out a policy" is commonly used. If your document is similar, you should have no problem using that wording. It's always good to check. Here in Spain I deal with British style/expressions (not to mentioned "EU English) so often that I've learned to check in order to be sure that a given expression is current in one place or the other. I sometimes get a laugh out of http://britishisms.wordpress.com/. It's a blog that incorporates a readers' poll regarding US /UK acceptance and usage of various British terms and expressions. Today's word is "larky". I hope this has been of some help.
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Note added at 36 mins (2011-11-24 12:27:27 GMT)
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This afternoon I'll try to find some examples of legal documents. My only doubt concerns whether in US English some reference needs to made that it is in force. I'm thinking that someone could always sign a contract, fail to pay the amount due, and therefore not be insured. - As the world is full of people who do such things, I'm wondering if the US version is a bit different. Perhaps their is someone out there who has done extensive work in US insurance who could verify if this will hold up. In terms of the expression, yes it is used widely in the US.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2011-11-24 14:30:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I've tried to find a sworn statement/declaration about insurance coverage in Internet without success; however, in general guidelines provided in documents such as tender announcements, "take out a policy" or "prove that one has taken out a policy" is commonly used. If your document is similar, you should have no problem using that wording. It's always good to check. Here in Spain I deal with British style/expressions (not to mentioned "EU English) so often that I've learned to check in order to be sure that a given expression is current in one place or the other. I sometimes get a laugh out of http://britishisms.wordpress.com/. It's a blog that incorporates a readers' poll regarding US /UK acceptance and usage of various British terms and expressions. Today's word is "larky". I hope this has been of some help.
Note from asker:
| Hi Jenni, thanks for your answer. So, if in a legal document, I were to say: "company X confirms that it has taken out an insurance policy covering its investigators' civil liability" this would be ok for the US and would not look too British? |
| Thanks Jenni - looks like pretty overwhelming agreement here... not really sure why I thought it sounded overly British...too long since I was over the pond, I suppose! |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Despite the agreement level on the other answer, this was the first answer and it actually answered my question that the term in question is widely used in the US, which was what I needed to know."
+7
18 mins
Abouzar Oraki
Specializes in field
Persian (Farsi)English Translation
Native in: Persian (Farsi) 
Works in: English to Persian (Farsi), Persian (Farsi) to English
take out an insurance policy
take out an insurance policy
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Donna Stevens
: This is what most Americans would say.
42 mins
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Trudy Peters
1 hr
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Anton Konashenok
: Definitely.
1 hr
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Tina Vonhof (X)
3 hrs
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Phong Le
21 hrs
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Thanks a lot.
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| agree |
daniel richter
: I faced this term in a World Bank standard contract and now I am quite surprised that it's "every day" speach. However, I think I understood what it means, but am still wondering that such an official document is not checked by linguists.
413 days
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| agree |
John Dawber
3261 days
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