claim
kleym
/kleɪm/
A formal request made by a policyholder to an insurance company asking for payment or compensation for a covered loss.
As a noun, it is the request itself. As a verb, it means to demand or assert a right to something. In insurance, filing a claim initiates the investigation and payout process.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, 'clamare' meant to shout out loud. This evolved into the legal concept of 'claiming'—publicly crying out to assert your right to a piece of land or a sum of money. Today, you 'cry out' to your insurer for help after a loss.
Word relationships
- demand: A demand is an assertive request that may not be contractually based, whereas an insurance claim is a formal request based on policy terms.
- disclaimer: A disclaimer is a statement that denies responsibility or a claim to something.
Commonly confused with
- appraisal: A claim is the request for money, while an appraisal is the process of figuring out how much money the damage is actually worth.
Word family
- claim (verb): To assert ownership or demand payment.
- claimant (noun): A person who makes a formal claim.
Collocations
- file a claim
- submit a claim
- deny a claim
- settle a claim
Idioms & expressions
- stake a claim
Example sentences
- "After the hail storm damaged his roof, the homeowner filed a claim with his insurance company." Property Damage
Memory hook
When disaster strikes, you 'clamor' (cry out) to your insurance company by filing a 'claim'. Claim is a call for cash.
When not to use
Do not use to mean an undisputed fact; a claim is an assertion that must be verified by an adjuster or underwriter.
Fun facts
- The word 'clamor' and 'exclamation' share the exact same Latin root ('clamare') as 'claim'.
Related words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.