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to take out a policy

English translation: (UK and US English) informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:to take out a policy
Selected answer:(UK and US English) informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage
Entered by: French2English

11:51 Nov 24, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Insurance
English term or phrase: to take out a policy
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.).
French2English
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:39
informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage
Explanation:
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.
Selected response from:

Jenni Lukac (X)
Local time: 17:39
Grading 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.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +7take out an insurance policy
Abouzar Oraki
4 +1informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage
Jenni Lukac (X)


  

Answers


18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +7
take out an insurance policy


Explanation:
take out an insurance policy

Abouzar Oraki
Local time: 19:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in Persian (Farsi)Persian (Farsi)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Donna Stevens: This is what most Americans would say.
42 mins
  -> Thank you.
agree  Trudy Peters
1 hr
  -> Thank you.
agree  Anton Konashenok: Definitely.
1 hr
  -> Thank you.
agree  Tina Vonhof (X)
3 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Phong Le
21 hrs
  -> Thanks a lot.
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
agree  John Dawber
3261 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
informal but acceptable for enter into a contract for insurance coverage


Explanation:
Americans always think in terms of "buying" insurance. To "take out an insurance policy is the same as "enter into a contract for."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 36 mins (2011-11-24 12:27:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

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.

Jenni Lukac (X)
Local time: 17:39
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading 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.
Notes to answerer
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?

Asker: 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!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: to take out insurance is everyday USA speak /it's fine for a legal document. I don't agree with entering into a contract. the policy IS the contract.
23 mins
  -> That's what I said writeaway. The question is whether it is the best wording for a legal document, but I've stated that it was acceptable in everyday speech.
agree  Charlesp: I agree. and interesting that in UK English, "take out an insurance policy" would be said - UK ordinarily should be more formal.
2006 days
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