Insurance is a legal contract that transfers risk from a policyholder to an insurance provider. There are two main types of insurance: life insurance and general insurance. Life insurance pays a sum of money upon death or illness, and can be term or permanent. General insurance covers non-life risks like property, motor, health, travel, and home insurance. It provides financial protection from events such as accidents, injury, damage, or theft. Insurance allows individuals and businesses to mitigate risks from unforeseen events.