Which term refers to something that causes a loss?

• A. Peril
• B. Hazard
• C. Warranty
• D. Misrepresentation

Answer: (A)

Peril is the term for the specific cause of a loss that an insurance policy covers, such as fire, theft, or windstorm. This makes it the best answer because the question is asking for what directly causes a loss the policy is designed to pay for. A hazard, by contrast, is a condition or situation that increases the likelihood of a loss but is not itself the event that triggers payment. A warranty is a contractual promise that could affect coverage if breached, not the cause of loss. Misrepresentation is a false statement that can affect validity of the contract. So the loss-causing event, the peril, is the correct concept.