In insurance, what term is used to describe the cause of a potential loss?

The term that describes the cause of a potential loss is "peril." In the context of insurance, a peril refers specifically to an event or situation that can cause damage or loss, such as fire, flood, theft, or windstorm. Understanding perils is crucial for both insurers and policyholders, as it helps determine which events are covered under an insurance policy.

On the other hand, hazards are conditions or situations that increase the likelihood of a peril occurring, while exposure refers to the extent to which a policyholder is subject to these perils. A claim is a request made by a policyholder to an insurance company for compensation due to a loss resulting from an insured peril. Therefore, identifying perils is essential for accurately assessing risk and essential for designing appropriate insurance coverage.