Discussing insurance is a practical necessity, whether you’re living in Korea long-term or just navigating financial services. This guide covers the essential Korean term “보험설계” (insurance planning/design) and related vocabulary and phrases you’ll need to understand and discuss insurance options effectively in Korean. Learn how to talk about policies, coverage, and consult with insurance professionals.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 보험설계 (保險設計)
Pronunciation: bo-heom-seol-gye
Meaning: Insurance planning or insurance design. This term refers to the process of assessing insurance needs and designing appropriate insurance coverage plans.
Key Insurance Vocabulary
- Expression: 보험 (保險)
Pronunciation: bo-heom
Meaning: Insurance - Expression: 보험사 (保險社) / 보험회사 (保險會社)
Pronunciation: bo-heom-sa / bo-heom-hoe-sa
Meaning: Insurance company - Expression: 보험설계사 (保險設計士)
Pronunciation: bo-heom-seol-gye-sa
Meaning: Insurance planner / Insurance agent - Expression: 보험 상품 (保險 商品)
Pronunciation: bo-heom sang-pum
Meaning: Insurance product / Insurance plan - Expression: 보험 계약 (保險 契約)
Pronunciation: bo-heom gye-yak
Meaning: Insurance contract / Insurance policy - Expression: 보험료 (保險料)
Pronunciation: bo-heom-ryo
Meaning: Insurance premium - Expression: 보험금 (保險金)
Pronunciation: bo-heom-geum
Meaning: Insurance payout / Insurance claim money - Expression: 보장 내용 (保障 內容)
Pronunciation: bo-jang nae-yong
Meaning: Coverage details - Expression: 만기 (滿期)
Pronunciation: man-gi
Meaning: Expiration / Maturity (of a policy) - Expression: 피보험자 (被保險者)
Pronunciation: pi-bo-heom-ja
Meaning: The insured (person) - Expression: 보험 가입 (保險 加入)
Pronunciation: bo-heom ga-ip
Meaning: Signing up for insurance / Enrolling in insurance - Expression: 보험 청구 (保險 請求)
Pronunciation: bo-heom cheong-gu
Meaning: Insurance claim
Discussing Insurance Needs
- Expression: 보험 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bo-heom sang-dam-eul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I would like to have an insurance consultation. - Expression: 어떤 종류의 보험이 필요할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-ryu-ui bo-heom-i pil-yo-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What kind of insurance might I need? - Expression: 제 상황에 맞는 보험을 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: je sang-hwang-e mat-neun bo-heom-eul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend insurance suitable for my situation. - Expression: 건강 보험에 대해 알아보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang bo-heom-e dae-hae ar-a-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to learn about health insurance. - Expression: 생명 보험 가입을 고려 중이에요.
Pronunciation: saeng-myeong bo-heom ga-ib-eul go-ryeo jung-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I am considering signing up for life insurance. - Expression: 자동차 보험 견적을 받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: ja-dong-cha bo-heom gyeon-jeog-eul bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to get a car insurance quote. - Expression: 가족을 위한 보험이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: ga-jog-eul wi-han bo-heom-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need insurance for my family. - Expression: 현재 어떤 보험에 가입되어 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae eo-tteon bo-heom-e ga-ip-doe-eo i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What insurance are you currently enrolled in? - Expression: 예산은 어느 정도로 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: ye-san-eun eo-neu jeong-do-ro saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What is your budget range? - Expression: 필요한 보장 수준이 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han bo-jang su-jun-i eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What level of coverage do you need? - Expression: 보험설계를 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom-seol-gye-reul do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me with insurance planning?
Understanding Policy Details
- Expression: 이 보험의 보장 내용은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i bo-heom-ui bo-jang nae-yong-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the coverage details of this insurance? - Expression: 월 보험료는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: wol bo-heom-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the monthly premium? - Expression: 보험금 청구 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom-geum cheong-gu jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the procedure for filing an insurance claim? - Expression: 계약 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the contract period? - Expression: 만기 시 환급금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: man-gi si hwan-geup-geum-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a maturity refund? - Expression: 어떤 경우에 보장이 안 되나요? (면책 조항)
Pronunciation: eo-tteon gyeong-u-e bo-jang-i an doe-na-yo? (myeon-chaek jo-hang)
Meaning: In what cases is coverage excluded? (Exclusion clause) - Expression: 보험 약관을 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom yak-gwan-eul ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the insurance terms and conditions in detail? - Expression: 갱신 조건은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gaeng-sin jo-geon-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the renewal conditions? - Expression: 보험료 납입 방법은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom-ryo na-bip bang-beob-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the premium payment methods? - Expression: 중도 해지 시 불이익이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jung-do hae-ji si bur-i-ig-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any disadvantages if I cancel the policy midway? - Expression: 이 상품의 장단점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i sang-pum-ui jang-dan-jeom-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the pros and cons of this product?
Making Insurance Decisions
- Expression: 이 보험으로 가입하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: i bo-heom-eu-ro ga-ip-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will sign up for this insurance. - Expression: 계약서에 서명하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-e seo-myeong-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will sign the contract. - Expression: 조금 더 생각해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo saeng-gak-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will think about it a little more. - Expression: 다른 상품도 비교해 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-reun sang-pum-do bi-gyo-hae bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to compare other products as well. - Expression: 가족과 상의해 보고 결정하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-gwa sang-ui-hae bo-go gyeol-jeong-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will discuss it with my family and then decide. - Expression: 오늘은 결정하기 어려울 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun gyeol-jeong-ha-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it will be difficult to decide today. - Expression: 제안해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: je-an-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your proposal. - Expression: 이 조건은 저에게 맞지 않는 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: i jo-geon-eun jeo-e-ge mat-ji an-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: These terms don’t seem right for me. - Expression: 보험 가입을 취소하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: bo-heom ga-ib-eul chwi-so-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to cancel the insurance enrollment. - Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are required? - Expression: 언제부터 보장이 시작되나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo bo-jang-i si-jak-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When does the coverage begin?
Korean Culture Notes
- Importance of Relationships: Insurance sales in Korea often rely heavily on personal relationships and trust. It’s common for people to buy insurance from someone they know or who was introduced by a trusted contact. The 보험설계사 (bo-heom-seol-gye-sa – insurance planner) often maintains long-term relationships with clients.
- National Health Insurance: South Korea has a mandatory National Health Insurance System (국민건강보험 – guk-min-geon-gang-bo-heom) covering basic medical treatments for citizens and registered residents. Private insurance is often purchased to supplement this, covering treatments not included or providing additional benefits (e.g., private rooms, specific therapies).
- Popular Insurance Types: Besides health insurance (건강 보험 – geon-gang bo-heom), life insurance (생명 보험 – saeng-myeong bo-heom), cancer insurance (암 보험 – am bo-heom), and retirement/annuity insurance (연금 보험 – yeon-geum bo-heom) are very common due to concerns about medical costs and retirement planning.
- Group Insurance: Many companies offer group insurance plans (단체 보험 – dan-che bo-heom) as part of employee benefits, which can be a cost-effective way to get basic coverage.
- Financial Planning Aspect: Insurance is often viewed not just as risk protection but as a form of long-term savings or investment, especially with products that offer maturity refunds (만기 환급금 – man-gi hwan-geup-geum) or cash value accumulation.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A client (A) is meeting with an insurance planner (B) for the first time to discuss their insurance needs.
Roles:
* A: Client (고객 – go-gaek)
* B: Insurance Planner (보험설계사 – bo-heom-seol-gye-sa)
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 보험 상담 좀 받고 싶어서 연락드렸습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, bo-heom sang-dam jom bat-go sip-eo-seo yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I contacted you because I’d like to get an insurance consultation. - Expression: B: 네, 고객님. 반갑습니다. 어떤 종류의 보험에 관심 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, go-gaek-nim. ban-gap-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon jong-ryu-ui bo-heom-e gwan-sim i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What type of insurance are you interested in? - Expression: A: 제가 아직 젊긴 한데, 미래를 대비해서 건강 보험이랑 암 보험 쪽을 좀 알아보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga a-jik jeom-gin han-de, mi-rae-reul dae-bi-hae-seo geon-gang bo-heom-i-rang am bo-heom jjok-eul jom ar-a-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m still young, but I want to look into health insurance and cancer insurance to prepare for the future. - Expression: B: 잘 생각하셨습니다. 요즘은 젊을 때 미리 준비하시는 분들이 많아요. 혹시 가족력이나 특별히 걱정되시는 부분이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: jal saeng-gak-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da. yo-jeum-eun jeol-meul ttae mi-ri jun-bi-ha-si-neun bun-deur-i man-a-yo. hok-si ga-jok-ryeok-i-na teuk-byeol-hi geok-jeong-doe-si-neun bu-bun-i i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: That’s a good thought. Many people prepare in advance when they’re young these days. Do you have any family history or specific concerns? - Expression: A: 특별한 가족력은 없는데, 그냥 일반적인 질병이나 암에 대한 보장이 잘 되었으면 좋겠어요. 보험료는 월 10만원 내외로 생각하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han ga-jok-ryeok-eun eom-neun-de, geu-nyang il-ban-jeog-in jil-byeong-i-na am-e dae-han bo-jang-i jal doe-eo-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo. bo-heom-ryo-neun wol sip-man-won nae-oe-ro saeng-gak-ha-go i-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t have a specific family history, but I just want good coverage for common illnesses and cancer. I’m thinking of a monthly premium around 100,000 won. - Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 고객님의 연령과 예산, 필요하신 보장 내용을 고려해서 몇 가지 맞춤 보험설계를 준비해 보겠습니다. 잠시만요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. go-gaek-nim-ui yeol-lyeong-gwa ye-san, pil-yo-ha-sin bo-jang nae-yong-eul go-ryeo-hae-seo myeot ga-ji ma-chum bo-heom-seol-gye-reul jun-bi-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. I will prepare a few customized insurance plans considering your age, budget, and required coverage details. Just a moment.
Practice Tips
Practicing these terms and phrases will help you feel more confident when discussing insurance in Korean~! Try role-playing conversations with a language partner, simulating a consultation with an insurance planner. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, especially terms like 보험설계사 (bo-heom-seol-gye-sa) and 보장 내용 (bo-jang nae-yong). Reviewing sample insurance brochures or websites in Korean can also help you become familiar with the vocabulary in context. Good luck!
