In insurance, cover means the protection granted by contract for specified losses and the conditions under which payment is made.
It is the practical expression of policy intent: what kinds of losses are included, who is protected, and what exclusions apply.
Underwriting role
Underwriters define cover by matching hazards to acceptable exposures and attaching limits, deductibles, and eligibility conditions.
Claims logic
Claims handlers use the cover scope to decide whether a submitted loss is inside coverage. Even strong underwriting documentation cannot be paid if the loss is outside the cover.
Practical example
A building policy may cover fire loss but exclude flood. Even with high building values and a valid payment, flood damage is denied because that peril falls outside the cover terms.