What is the difference between insurance and assurance?

In general, the term insurance refers to providing cover for an event that might happen while assurance is the provision of cover for an event that is certain to happen.

Assurance and Insurance

1. In financial discourse, the following hold: In English, it is customary to refer to Assurances as protection against the financial loss arising from life contingencies. Examples: life assurance, health assurance, and disability assurance. The financial institutions of established reputation that issue such assurance policies are known as Life Offices. Indemnity on loss of, or damage to, property is ordinarily referred to as insurance. Examples: fire insurance, motor insurance, and commercial or personal liability insurance. The institutions issuing such insurances are normally known as Insurance Offices, also of established reputation. In American, no distinction is ordinarily made between assurances and insurances, and all are known as insurance, issued by insurance companies, which, in desirable conditions, are also held in high esteem and trust. 2. In moral discourse, the following hold: An assurance is some sign - perhaps someone's word - evidencing that something will, or will not, happen. Insurance is some form of protection against the cost or damage done, in case an un-wanted event should happen. Example: A strong air force, well provided with all the necessary tools and equipment, is a very blessed insurance, cheaply bought, in case the wretched Dictator should determine to send his terrific flying machines over our Island. To speak of assurance, in the above example, would be to speak of our ways of knowing that the maurauders will never come. 3. In psychology, 'assurance' is often equated with confidence, in a broad sense.