Dealing with car insurance is a necessary step for any driver in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases for understanding, inquiring about, and signing up for automobile insurance (자동차 보험, ja-dong-cha bo-heom). Knowing these expressions will help you navigate the process smoothly, whether you’re getting a quote, comparing plans, or finalizing your coverage.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 자동차 보험 가입하기
Pronunciation: ja-dong-cha bo-heom ga-ip-ha-gi
Meaning: Signing up for car insurance (The act of enrolling in automobile insurance)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 자동차
Pronunciation: ja-dong-cha
Meaning: Car, Automobile -
Expression: 보험
Pronunciation: bo-heom
Meaning: Insurance -
Expression: 가입하다
Pronunciation: ga-ip-ha-da
Meaning: To sign up, To enroll, To join -
Expression: 보험료
Pronunciation: bo-heom-ryo
Meaning: Insurance premium -
Expression: 보장
Pronunciation: bo-jang
Meaning: Coverage, Guarantee -
Expression: 견적
Pronunciation: gyeon-jeok
Meaning: Quote, Estimate -
Expression: 할인
Pronunciation: hal-in
Meaning: Discount -
Expression: 만기
Pronunciation: man-gi
Meaning: Expiration (of a contract/policy) -
Expression: 갱신
Pronunciation: gaeng-sin
Meaning: Renewal -
Expression: 사고
Pronunciation: sa-go
Meaning: Accident -
Expression: 운전자
Pronunciation: un-jeon-ja
Meaning: Driver -
Expression: 차량 정보
Pronunciation: cha-ryang jeong-bo
Meaning: Vehicle information
Key Phrases for Signing Up
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Expression: 자동차 보험에 가입하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ja-dong-cha bo-heom-e ga-ip-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to sign up for car insurance. -
Expression: 보험 견적 좀 내주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom gyeon-jeok jom nae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me an insurance quote? -
Expression: 온라인으로 가입할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro ga-ip-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I sign up online? -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are needed? -
Expression: 가입 절차를 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: ga-ip jeol-cha-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the sign-up procedure. -
Expression: 이 보험으로 가입할게요.
Pronunciation: i bo-heom-eu-ro ga-ip-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will sign up for this insurance plan. -
Expression: 보험 계약서를 확인하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: bo-heom gye-yak-seo-reul hwa-gin-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to check the insurance contract. -
Expression: 보험료는 어떻게 납부하나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom-ryo-neun eo-tteo-ke nap-bu-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I pay the insurance premium? -
Expression: 보험 효력은 언제부터 시작되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom hyo-ryeog-eun eon-je-bu-teo si-jak-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When does the insurance coverage start? -
Expression: 작년에 가입했던 보험을 갱신하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: jak-nyeon-e ga-ip-haet-deon bo-heom-eul gaeng-sin-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to renew the insurance I signed up for last year. -
Expression: 운전자 범위를 가족 한정으로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: un-jeon-ja beom-wi-reul ga-jok han-jeong-eu-ro ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to limit the driver coverage to family members only. -
Expression: 보험 가입 증명서가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: bo-heom ga-ip jeung-myeong-seo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need proof of insurance enrollment.
Asking Questions about Insurance
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Expression: 보험료가 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom-ryo-ga eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the insurance premium? -
Expression: 어떤 보장이 포함되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bo-jang-i po-ham-doe-eo it-na-yo?
Meaning: What coverage is included? -
Expression: 대인 배상 한도는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: dae-in bae-sang han-do-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the limit for bodily injury liability? -
Expression: 대물 배상 한도는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: dae-mul bae-sang han-do-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the limit for property damage liability? -
Expression: 자차 보험도 포함되나요?
Pronunciation: ja-cha bo-heom-do po-ham-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is collision coverage (own vehicle damage) included? -
Expression: 할인 혜택이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hal-in hye-taeg-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any discount benefits? -
Expression: 무사고 할인이 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: mu-sa-go hal-in-i jeog-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does the accident-free discount apply? -
Expression: 보험 만기일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom man-gi-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the insurance expiration date? -
Expression: 사고 시 어떻게 처리해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sa-go si eo-tteo-ke cheo-ri-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I handle it in case of an accident? -
Expression: 긴급 출동 서비스가 포함되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: gin-geup chul-dong seo-bi-seu-ga po-ham-doe-eo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is emergency roadside assistance included? -
Expression: 다른 보험사와 비교해보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-reun bo-heom-sa-wa bi-gyo-hae-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to compare with other insurance companies. -
Expression: 보험료를 분할 납부할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom-ryo-reul bun-hal nap-bu-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay the premium in installments?
Korean Culture Notes
Mandatory Insurance: In Korea, liability insurance (책임보험, chae-gim-bo-heom), which covers bodily injury (대인배상 I, dae-in-bae-sang il) and property damage (대물배상, dae-mul-bae-sang) up to certain limits, is mandatory for all registered vehicles. Driving without this basic insurance is illegal.
Comprehensive vs. Liability: While only liability insurance is legally required, most drivers opt for comprehensive insurance (종합보험, jong-hap-bo-heom). This typically includes higher liability limits, personal injury protection (자기신체사고, ja-gi-sin-che-sa-go or 자동차상해, ja-dong-cha-sang-hae), uninsured motorist coverage (무보험차상해, mu-bo-heom-cha-sang-hae), and collision coverage (자기차량손해, ja-gi-cha-ryang-son-hae, often called 자차보험, ja-cha-bo-heom).
Online Comparison and Sign-up: It’s very common in Korea to compare car insurance quotes online through various comparison websites (보험 비교 사이트, bo-heom bi-gyo sa-i-teu) or directly on insurance company websites. The entire sign-up process can often be completed online or via mobile app, making it quite convenient.
Discounts (할인): Various discounts are available, such as accident-free discounts (무사고 할인), discounts for installing a black box (블랙박스 할인), discounts based on mileage (주행거리 할인), child discounts (자녀 할인), and discounts for using public transportation (대중교통 이용 할인). Be sure to ask about applicable discounts.
Direct vs. Agent: You can purchase insurance directly from the company (다이렉트 보험, da-i-rek-teu bo-heom), which is often cheaper, or through an insurance agent (보험 설계사, bo-heom seol-gye-sa), who might offer more personalized service.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun calls an insurance company to inquire about signing up for new car insurance.
Characters:
A: Minjun (Customer – 고객, go-gaek)
B: Insurance Agent (보험사 직원, bo-heom-sa jig-won)
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Expression: B: 네, 고객님. XX 보험입니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, go-gaeng-nim. XX bo-heom-im-ni-da. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, customer. This is XX Insurance. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 자동차 보험에 새로 가입하려고 하는데요. 견적을 받아볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ja-dong-cha bo-heom-e sae-ro ga-ip-ha-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo. gyeon-jeog-eul bad-a-bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Hello. I’m looking to sign up for new car insurance. Can I get a quote? -
Expression: B: 네, 가능합니다. 차량 정보와 운전자 정보를 말씀해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da. cha-ryang jeong-bo-wa un-jeon-ja jeong-bo-reul mal-sseum-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, that’s possible. Could you please provide the vehicle information and driver information? -
Expression: A: 제 차는 현대 쏘나타이고, 2023년식입니다. 운전자는 저 혼자입니다.
Pronunciation: je cha-neun hyeon-dae sso-na-ta-i-go, i-cheon-i-sip-sam-nyeon-sig-im-ni-da. un-jeon-ja-neun jeo hon-ja-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My car is a Hyundai Sonata, 2023 model. I am the only driver. -
Expression: B: 네, 확인했습니다. 기본 책임 보험과 종합 보험 중 어떤 것을 원하시나요? 자차 보험도 추가하시겠습니까?
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-gin-hae-sseum-ni-da. gi-bon chae-gim bo-heom-gwa jong-hap bo-heom jung eo-tteon geo-seul won-ha-si-na-yo? ja-cha bo-heom-do chu-ga-ha-si-ge-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Okay, confirmed. Would you like basic liability insurance or comprehensive insurance? Would you also like to add collision coverage? -
Expression: A: 종합 보험으로 하고, 자차 보험도 포함해주세요. 보험료는 대략 얼마 정도 나올까요?
Pronunciation: jong-hap bo-heom-eu-ro ha-go, ja-cha bo-heom-do po-ham-hae-ju-se-yo. bo-heom-ryo-neun dae-ryak eol-ma jeong-do na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’d like comprehensive insurance, and please include collision coverage too. Approximately how much would the premium be? -
Expression: B: 잠시만 기다려주세요. 고객님의 정보로 견적을 내보겠습니다… 예상 보험료는 연간 80만원 정도입니다. 블랙박스 설치 여부나 주행 거리에 따라 할인이 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo. go-gaeng-nim-ui jeong-bo-ro gyeon-jeog-eul nae-bo-ge-sseum-ni-da… ye-sang bo-heom-ryo-neun yeon-gan pal-sim-man-won jeong-do-im-ni-da. beul-laek-bak-seu seol-chi yeo-bu-na ju-haeng geo-ri-e tta-ra hal-in-i ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. I will calculate the quote based on your information… The estimated premium is about 800,000 won per year. Discounts may be available depending on whether you have a black box installed or based on your mileage. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 가입 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseum-ni-da. ga-ip jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: I understand. What is the sign-up procedure? -
Expression: B: 필요 서류 안내 및 온라인 가입 링크를 문자로 보내드리겠습니다. 확인 후 진행해주시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: pil-yo seo-ryu an-nae mit on-la-in ga-ip ling-keu-reul mun-ja-ro bo-nae-deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da. hwa-gin hu jin-haeng-hae-ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: I will send you the necessary document information and an online sign-up link via text message. Please check it and proceed. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Getting familiar with insurance terms can seem daunting, but practice makes perfect! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ You can also visit Korean insurance company websites (many have English options too) to see how these terms are used in context. Look at sample quotes or policy descriptions. Understanding these phrases will give you confidence when dealing with the practical necessity of car insurance in Korea!
