Insurance is primarily considered a type of what?

Insurance is primarily considered a type of risk transfer because it allows individuals and businesses to safeguard themselves against potential financial losses. When one purchases insurance, they are transferring the financial burden of potential losses to the insurance company. In essence, the policyholder pays a premium to the insurer in exchange for protection against certain risks; the insurer then assumes the responsibility for paying covered claims. This mechanism enables policyholders to manage their exposure to various risks, such as property damage, liability, health issues, or other unforeseen events. The concept of risk transfer is fundamental to the insurance industry, as it underlies the purpose of insurance: to mitigate the impact of losses on individuals and businesses by spreading that risk across a larger pool of insured parties.