What exactly is an ‘insured peril’? (2024)

'Peril’ is a word not many people use anymore, but it simply means ‘danger’. When used in an insurance policy, a peril is any event that can cause damage or loss. An insured peril is a risk that is covered under the policy, while an uninsured peril is not. Insured perils, for example, often include fire and theft, so if one of these results in a partial or total loss of the property, the policy covers the damage.

It is important that you understand exactly what the policy considers insured and uninsured perils, so that you know which events you can claim for before you sign up for any kind of insurance.

Generally speaking, an uninsured peril is something that could cause foreseeable damage if the property is not properly maintained, like rising damp causing paint to peel off walls. This type of damage can be expected under the circ*mstances.

An insured peril, on the other hand, causes unforeseen damage and therefore can be claimed for.

Some examples of insured perils

There are endless types of perils, and no one can be covered against all of them. Here’s a list of some more common perils covered by various types of insurance policies:

Household perils

  • Burst, leaking or overflowing geysers.
  • Burst or leaking water pipes.
  • Impact by animals, trees, aerials, satellite dishes or vehicles.

Natural perils

  • Fire.
  • Lightning.
  • Explosion.
  • Storm, wind, hail or snow.
  • Earthquake or tremor as a result of mining activity.
  • Flood.

Perils as a result of human actions

  • Burglary (provided preventative security measures were in place).
  • Vandalism or malicious acts.

Some examples of uninsured perils

You should check the uninsured perils carefully when you’re weighing up different insurance options, so that you know which risks are not covered. Here’s a list of common uninsured perils:

  • Wear and tear, depreciation, gradual deterioration or any other decline in performance caused by regular use over time.
  • Pre-existing damage before the policy is taken out.
  • Damage caused by roots or weeds.
  • Damage caused by pests, damp, mould or rot.
  • The cost of maintenance or reasonable measures that you must take to prevent damage or loss.

To sum up
A peril is any potential cause of loss or damage, so you need to ensure that any insurance policy you take out includes the right insured perils for your needs. For more information on buildings insurance, contact us on 0860333111 or at insurance@nedbank.co.za

What exactly is an ‘insured peril’? (2024)

FAQs

What exactly is an ‘insured peril’? ›

An insured peril is a risk that is covered under the policy, while an uninsured peril is not. Insured perils, for example, often include fire and theft, so if one of these results in a partial or total loss of the property, the policy covers the damage.

What does "insured peril" mean? ›

What Does Insured Peril Mean? An insured peril is an event that can cause damage or loss to a property but is covered by an insurance policy that pays for the loss or damage if it occurs.

What is considered a peril in insurance? ›

In the world of insurance, a “peril” is an event or circ*mstance that could result in property damage. Your homeowners, condo, or renters policy contains a list of covered perils, such as fire, lightning, and vandalism.

Which is not an example of insurable peril? ›

Here are a few examples of some typical uninsurable perils:

Earthquakes. Ongoing leaks. Insects and rodent infestations. Melting or moving snow and ice.

Which is an example of a peril? ›

Fire, flooding, or vehicle impact are all examples of perils. When it comes to home insurance, perils take many forms, all of which pose a threat to the home, the property it sits on, or the stuff inside it. There are natural disaster perils, like earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions.

Why a peril may be considered uninsurable? ›

An uninsurable peril is typically an event with a high risk of occurrence. Perils that insurers are unwilling to cover are often catastrophic in nature, for which the probability of a payout is high and expected.

What is the occurrence of an insured peril? ›

A peril is a specific risk or cause of potential damage that an insurance policy covers. It includes a wide range of events or circ*mstances that might cause financial harm, including natural catastrophes (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes), accidents (e.g., vehicle accidents), theft, fire, or other mishaps.

Does a peril cause a loss? ›

A peril is the direct cause of a loss, or the source of the loss. For example, if your house is damaged by a lightning strike, the lightning strike is considered to be the peril. If your house catches on fire, then fire will likely be considered the peril.

What is the legal definition of peril? ›

peril n. 1 : exposure to the risk of death, destruction, or loss. 2 : the cause of a loss (as of property) [insured their home against fire, floods, and other s] compare risk.

What is the difference between risk and peril in insurance? ›

While peril is the cause of the risk, its probability of occurrence as well as its amount of loss may be increased or decreased due to the presence of certain factors. These are known as Hazards. For example, while cancer is the cause of death, the chance of suffering from cancer can be increased by smoking.

Which of the following is not considered an insurable peril? ›

Final answer: Losses from fire damage, customer injuries, and business interruption resulting from covered losses are all insurable perils. However, losses from gambling aren't typically considered insurable risks and hence, not counted as an insurable peril.

What types of risks are not insurable? ›

An uninsurable risk could include a situation in which insurance is against the law, such as coverage for criminal penalties. An uninsurable risk can be an event that's too likely to occur, such as a hurricane or flood, in an area where those disasters are frequent.

What is excluded peril in insurance? ›

In insurance: Excluded perils. Among the excluded perils (or exclusions) of homeowner's policies are the following: loss due to freezing when the dwelling is vacant or unoccupied, unless stated precautions are taken; loss from weight of ice or snow to property such as fences, swimming pools, docks,…

What is peril with an example? ›

In insurance, the definition of peril is any event, situation, or incident that causes property damage or loss. Fire, theft, wind, and vandalism are common perils that homeowners insurance can cover.

What is a peril insured against? ›

What perils are covered by a homeowners insurance policy? A peril is an event, like a fire or break-in, that may damage your home or belongings. The perils covered by your homeowners insurance are listed in your policy. The list of mishaps you're protected against ("perils" in industry speak) is broad.

What is covered under all perils? ›

Coverage for “open perils”— and similar terms such as "all perils," "all risk," or "special perils," coverage — means that damage or loss from all potential perils may be covered unless specifically excluded in the insurance policy. Flooding is an example of a peril generally excluded from coverage.

What is peril as used in insurance? ›

A peril is an event, like a fire or break-in, that may damage your home or belongings. The perils covered by your homeowners insurance are listed in your policy. The list of mishaps you're protected against ("perils" in industry speak) is broad.

What is the difference between risk and peril? ›

Risk is the chance or probability of a loss, and peril is a direct cause of loss.

What perils are covered under all risk insurance? ›

An all risks insurance contract covers the insured from all perils, except the ones specifically excluded from the list. Contrary to a named perils contract, an all risks policy does not name the risks covered, but instead, names the risks not covered.

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