Pooling of risk in insurance means that compensations are paid out of a common fund. When people purchase insurance, they pay premiums into a pool of funds managed by the insurance company. In the event that an insured person suffers a loss, such as damage to their property or an illness requiring medical treatment, the insurance company will use the premiums from the pool to compensate the insured for their loss. By pooling risks, the insurance company is able to spread the costs of losses across all policyholders, so that each individual does not bear the full cost of their own losses. This helps to protect individuals and businesses from financial losses that could be catastrophic, such as a fire that destroys a home or a business, or a serious illness that requires expensive medical treatment. Insurance companies use actuarial calculations and statistical analysis to determine the appropriate premiums to charge policyholders based on the level of risk they present, and the likelihood of losses occurring.