An "Insurance Carrier" is an organization that provides coverage to its policyholders. It is responsible for accepting and evaluating risks, collecting premiums and paying out claims. There are various other terms that can be used to define such an entity, such as insurer, underwriter, assurance provider, insurance company, insurance firm, and carrier. Each of these terms is a synonym that refers to an establishment that offers insurance services. These synonyms are used interchangeably in different contexts. However, the term "carrier" is more commonly used in the healthcare industry, while "insurer" or "insurance company" is used for general insurance purposes.