coverage
KUHV-uhr-ij
/ˈkʌvərɪdʒ/
The scope of protection, benefits, and medical services provided under an insurance policy.
Coverage can refer broadly to having an active policy ('I have health coverage') or specifically to what services are paid for by the plan ('maternity coverage').
The story behind the word. Derived from the Old French 'covrir' (to cover, protect, hide, or defend), which comes from the Latin 'cooperire' (to cover over completely). In insurance, it represents a metaphorical shield or blanket thrown over the policyholder to protect them from financial ruin.
Word relationships
- protection: Protection is a general term for safety, whereas coverage is the specific contractual scope of what an insurance policy will pay for.
- benefits: Benefits refers to the specific services covered, while coverage can refer to the overall state of being insured.
- exposure: Exposure refers to being unprotected from financial loss or risk, which is the opposite of coverage.
Commonly confused with
- policy: The policy is the physical or legal contract document, whereas coverage is the actual protection and benefits defined within that contract.
Word family
- cover (verb): To provide insurance protection for a specific risk or service.
- covered (adjective): Protected or paid for by an insurance policy.
Collocations
- insurance coverage
- comprehensive coverage
- provide coverage
- deny coverage
Example sentences
- "Before scheduling the MRI, she called her insurer to confirm that her policy provided coverage for advanced diagnostic imaging." An inquiry about policy benefits.
- "The government's primary goal was to expand health coverage to low-income families who previously had no access to affordable medical care." A discussion on universal healthcare.
Memory hook
Think of coverage as a giant 'cover' or blanket that protects you from the cold, harsh winds of medical bills. Coverage is the blanket that covers your medical bills.
When not to use
Do not use 'coverage' to refer to the physical act of covering something up; it is strictly used for the scope of protection or media reporting.
Fun facts
- The term 'coverage' was first used in journalism to describe the extent of news reporting before being adopted by the insurance industry in the early 20th century.
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